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Experiment 7: To Demonstrate the Reaction Turbine Power as a

Theory

A reaction turbine is type of turbine that develops torque by reacting to the pressure or weight of
a fluid; the operation of reaction turbines is described by newton's third law of motion (action and
reaction are equal and opposite). In a reaction turbine, unlike in an impulse turbine, the nozzles
that discharge the working fluid are attached to the rotor. The acceleration of the fluid leaving the
nozzles produces a reaction force on the pipes, causing the rotor to move in the opposite direction
to that of the fluid. The pressure of the fluid changes as it passes through the rotor blades. In most
cases, a pressure casement is needed to contain the working fluid as it acts on the turbine; in the
case of water turbines, the casing also maintains the suction imparted by the draft tube.
Alternatively, where a casing is absent, the turbine must be fully immersed in the fluid flow as in
the case of wind turbines. Francis turbines and most steam turbines use the reaction turbine
concept.

Fig 1.1 Blade diagram for reaction turbine

Experimental Setup

The equipment HM 272 reaction turbine demonstration unit works on pneumatically driven
turbines. It is equipped with electronic sensors so that speed, torque and temperature can be
displayed digitally. The volumetric flow rate is determined using a glass cone flow meter.
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Using the HM 272 demonstration unit, the characteristic behavior of an impulse turbine can be
determined.
 Power as a function of volumetric flow rate, pressure and speed
 Recording of torque characteristic
 Determination of the turbine efficiency.
Due to the nature of the experiment and the design of the turbine, analogies can be made to
steam or water-driven turbines.
A special loading unit is fitted to the demonstration unit. A braking torque can be applied using a
belt that links the turbine shaft and the rotating guide roller on the loading unit. The belt is also
linked to a force transducer. The torque is calculated from half the roller diameter (lever arm =
10mm) and the braking force. The braking torque can be adjusted with a knurled bolt. The more
the belt is placed under tension, the larger the braking torque.

Fig 1.2 HM 272 Reaction turbine demonstration unit

Procedure

In the following experiment, torque and power are plotted against speed.
The maximum torque is produced as standstill. At the maximum speed (no-load speed), the
torque is zero. The maximum power is produced at a speed between standstill and the no-load
speed.
Steps:
 Undo loading device and slowly increase nozzle pressure to 2 bar using fine regulation
valve.
 Turbine runs up until it has reached its no-load speed. At a speed of more than 30000 rpm
(over speed), a rapid stop is triggered.
 Using the loading device, brake the turbine in steps and note speed, torque, nozzle
pressure, temperatures and air volumetric flow rate.
 Ensure that the nozzle pressure is constant; otherwise readjust using the fine regulation
valve

Experimental Data

Pd Q Outlet
n Md Inlet
Nozzle Volume Temperature Temperature
Speed Moment
Pressure Flow rate T1 T2
(rpm) (N-cm) 0C
(bar) (%) 0C
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Calculations

Pmechanical Q Phydraulic
n Md η
Mechanical Volume Hydraulic
Speed Moment Efficiency
Power Flow rate Power
(rpm) (N-cm) %
(Watt) (m3/sec) (Watt)

The mechanical power is calculated from torque in N-cm and Speed in rpm
𝑀𝑑 .𝑛 .𝜋
Pmechanical =
3000

The hydraulic input power is calculated from nozzle pressure in Pascal and volumetric flow rate
in m3/s. The very low outlet pressure can be ignored.
Phydraulic = Pd. 𝑄

In the case of the volumetric flow rate, 100% on the display signifies a volumetric flow rate of 315
l/min or 0.00525 m3/sec.
The efficiency is calculated from the ratio of mechanical to hydraulic power.
𝑃𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝜂=
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐
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Here:

Md: Moment in (N-cm)

n: Speed in (rpm)

Pd: Inlet Nozzle Pressure in (bar)

Q: Volume Flowrate in (m3/sec)

T1: Inlet Temperature in 0C

T2: Outlet Temperature in 0C

Phydraulic: Hydraulic Power in (Watt)

Pmechanical: Mechanical Power in (Watt)

Pelectrical: Electrical Power in (Watt)

𝜂: Efficiency in %

Lab Assignment

1. Plot Torque versus Speed curve and comment.