Question 12.16: A Kaplan turbine operating under a net head of 6 m develops ......
A Kaplan turbine operating under a net head of 6 m develops 2350 kW power with an overall efficiency of 88%. The draft tube of inlet diameter 2.8 m having an efficiency of 78% is to be attached to the turbine unit. From cavitation consideration, the pressure head at entry to the draft tube must not drop more than 4.5 m below atmosphere. Calculate the maximum height at which the runner may be set above the tail race.
Given: Refer Figure 12.34.H=6 m ; S P=2350 \times 10^3 W ; \eta_o=0.88
d_2=2.8 m ; \eta_d=0.78 ;\left(p_a-p_2\right) / w=4.5 mFrom the equation for overall efficiency, \eta_o=S P / w Q H,
Discharge
Q=\frac{S P}{W H \eta_o}=\frac{2350 \times 10^3}{9810 \times 6 \times 0.88}=45.37 m ^3 / sVelocity at the inlet of the draft tube can be calculated using, Q=\frac{\pi}{4} d_2^2 \times V_2
V_2=\frac{4 Q}{\pi d_2^2}=\frac{4 \times 45.37}{\pi \times 2.8^2}=7.37 m / s
For the draft tube,
\frac{p_2}{W}=\frac{p_a}{W}-H_s-\left[\frac{V_2^2-V_3^2}{2 g}-h_f\right]
But, \frac{p_a-p_2}{w}=4.5
\frac{V_2^2-V_3^2}{2 g}-h_f=4.5-H_s
From the equation for efficiency of draft tube,
\begin{aligned}& \eta_d=\left(\frac{V_2^2-V_3^2}{2 g}-h_f\right) / \frac{V_2^2}{2 g}=\frac{4.5-H_s}{7.37^2 / 2 \times 9.81}=0.78 \\& H_s=2.34 m\end{aligned}
i.e., Maximum height above tail race = 2.34 m.
