25 / 2023-12-18 04:25:49

Rehabilitation of Three Test Benches of High, Medium and Low Power Electric Generators for Hydraulic Energy Conversion, Elias Sánchez Diaz Hydraulic Laboratory, University of Carabobo, Venezuela

REACTIVATION,THREE TEST BENCHES,HYDRAULIC ENERGY

This paper deals with the rehabilitation of three test benches of high, medium and low power electric generators for hydraulic energy conversion in the University of Carabobo Hydraulic Laboratory. The main component of these benches consisted of Pelton turbine, Francis turbine, and Kaplan turbine, respectively. Rehabilitation of low power electric generator bench involved as main action, mechanical maintenance of the pumping unit (axial pump) to correct binding and unleveling of the motor-pump shaft. Rehabilitation of medium power electric generator bench, involved to replace centrifugal water distribution pump by one of similar working conditions. Francis turbine subsystem presented a fractured stationary mechanical seal, causing water leakage between motor-generator and turbine, requiring manufacture of mechanical seal. There was friction between the impeller and the wear ring of the scroll case due to deformation of the impeller and wear ring surfaces, requiring machining of both parts on a lathe. Rehabilitation of high power electric generator bench, consisted in the replacement of the rear bearing due to noise when rotating because of metal-metal friction, causing staggered turbine rotation. Experimental test design for Kaplan Turbine system was made up of three experimental factors. Experimental factors were comprised of the opening angle of the distributor blades, defined by nine levels 1 in, 1 1/8 in, 1 1/4 in, 1 3/8 in, 1 1/2 in, 1 5/8 in, 1 3/4 in, 1 7/8 in, 2 in; the position angle of the impeller blades adjusted in nine levels -5 °, 0 °, 5 °, 10 °, 15 °, 20 °, 25 °, 30 °, 35 ° and the rotation speed of the Kaplan turbine axis fixed in six levels 200 RPM, 400 RPM, 600 RPM, 800 RPM, 1000 RPM and 1200 RPM (486 tests). Experimental design of the Francis turbine system consisted of two experimental factors: 1) Inlet flow fitted in ten levels and 2) Distributor opening adjusted in two levels (20 tests). Experimental design of Pelton Turbine System was constituted by three experimental factors: 1) Inlet Flow, 2) Punch Travel and 3) Rotation Speed. The first factor was tested on four levels. The second factor was tested on five levels. The third factor was tested on nine levels respectively (180 tests). In Kaplan turbine, the position angle of the distributor blades had a greater effect on the hydraulic power.  For Francis and Pelton turbines, the most influential factor on operation and power generation was the flow supplied.