Propeller Turbine

Propeller Turbine

The Propeller Turbine is an inward flow reaction turbine, Similar to a Kaplan design, but with fixed blades.
It is a very common turbine and works best with high flow rates.
Its moving part (runner) is a propeller, similar to those that Push ships and submarines through water.
The turbine has adjustable guide vanes that control the water flow in the turbine.
They also direct the water at an angle to the back of the propeller.
The turbine has a clear viewing window around the guide vanes and a clear draft tube so that students can see the turbine working.
Students learn how the guide vane setting affects how the turbine works.
Consists of a framework base, which houses a large water reservoir and a circulating pump.
A stainless steel top supports the turbine itself and a dynamometer assembly.
The propeller itself is housed in a clear acrylic pipe to enable maximum visibility of the workings.
A load cell measures the braking force, and hence the power, and an optical sensor measure the rotational speed of the turbine.

Self-contained, small-scale hydropower unit designed to demonstrate the operating principles of a propeller turbine
75l water reservoir
Circulating pump, which produces 14m head at 4.4 l/s
Loaded by a magnetic brake unit, which is controlled direct from the PCL inks to a PC via a USB interface
Export of data to Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software
Electronic sensors monitor process variables
Determining the characteristics of a propeller turbine, including the relationships of volume flow rate, head, torque produced, power output and efficiency to rotational speed.
Supplied with full education software package including comprehensive results processing and help facilities