Which one of the following turbine exhibits a nearly constant efficien...
A special type of propeller turbine is called Kaplan turbine in which the individual runner blades are Pivoted on the hub so that their inclination may be adjusted automatically rotating about Pivots with the help of a governor servo-mechanism.
In Kaplan turbine, because of the arrangement for automatic variation of inlet blade angle with variation in load, the turbine can be run at max efficiency at ail loads.
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Which one of the following turbine exhibits a nearly constant efficien...
Kaplan Turbine exhibits a nearly constant efficiency over a 60% to 140% of design speed. Let's understand why.
Working Principle:
Kaplan turbine is a type of axial flow turbine used in hydroelectric power plants. It consists of a propeller-like rotor with adjustable blades that are rotated by water flowing parallel to the axis of the turbine. The water enters the turbine through the spiral casing and passes through the guide vanes, which direct the flow onto the rotor blades. The kinetic energy of the water is converted into mechanical energy by the rotor blades, which in turn rotates the shaft of the generator to produce electricity.
Efficiency:
The efficiency of a turbine is defined as the ratio of the power output to the power input. In the case of a Kaplan turbine, the power output is proportional to the product of the mass flow rate and the head of water, while the power input is proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor.
Over a range of speeds from 60% to 140% of the design speed, the Kaplan turbine exhibits nearly constant efficiency. This is because the adjustable blades of the rotor can be set to maintain the optimum angle of attack for the water flow, regardless of the speed. This allows the turbine to operate efficiently over a wide range of speeds, without the need for frequent adjustments.
Advantages:
The ability of the Kaplan turbine to maintain constant efficiency over a wide range of speeds makes it an ideal choice for hydroelectric power plants where the flow of water can vary significantly depending on the season and weather conditions. Additionally, the adjustable blades of the rotor allow the turbine to operate efficiently even at low heads of water, making it suitable for installation at low-head hydroelectric power plants.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Kaplan turbine is a highly efficient and versatile turbine that can operate over a wide range of speeds while maintaining nearly constant efficiency. Its ability to adjust to changing water flow conditions and low-head requirements makes it a popular choice for hydroelectric power plants worldwide.
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