EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A LOW COST HYDRAULIC WHEEL

Abstract

A Hydraulic-wheel is a ancient or basic Pelton turbine of modern world as it works on the principle of conversion of energy i.e. hydro mechanical conversion device as it converts the gravitational energy or the flow energy of elevated water into mechanical and then into electric energy.This conversion of energy is done via electric generator or step up motor (DC motor). The kinetic energy of the water is directed tangentially to the buckets (Blades) of the wheel. The water strikes on the convex profile or the inner side of the blade which results in propelling the rim on which the blades are attached and do to rotation of the rim the rotational energy is harnessed by step up motor connected by the shaft of the rim and is further converted into electric energy. In this present study the basic design of the hydraulic wheel is modified to that of Pelton wheel without using water jet as the source of water flow, as we all know that Pelton turbines uses flow from the jet for the rotation of rim in closed environment. The initial shape and of hydraulic wheel is modified with that of Pelton wheel which is an impulse turbine in which buckets of elliptical shape are attached to the periphery of a rotating wheel. The study has brief discussion and comparison of design and efficiency respectively for the basic design of Hydraulic wheel by conducting various experiments in a flume. It has consists of runner diameter, bucket. Only the facts are considered to design the Modified Hydraulic wheel turbine are preferred in the study so as to bring down the cost of turbine thus making it useful in open channel flows and wide spreading its use in open channels and making electricity easily available at low cost.