PELTON WHEEL PERFORMANCE AND

EFFICIENCY
TecQuipment MFP101 apparatus

Page 1 of 22
Description
Centrifugal Pump (MFP101)

Frame

Figure 2 The Centrifugal Pump (Shown fitted with the Universal Dynamometer, Optional
Turbine Dynamometer, and a Turbine)

Figure 2 shows the main parts of the Centrifugal Pump. It shows the Centrifugal Pump fitted with the
Universal Dynamometer and optional Turbine Dynamometer (with Torque and Speed Display), and a
turbine.

The Centrifugal Pump Module is a sturdy mobile frame. It contains:

• a compact centrifugal pump.

• A water reservoir.
• An Instrument Frame that holds instruments including a Digital Pressure Display (DP1)
• A Venturi to measure flow.
• Pipework with valves.

Page 2 of 22
The Centrifugal Pump is a rotodynamic pump. It uses a rotating impeller to push fluids
through its body by increasing the pressure at its outlet. Fluid enters the pump in an axial
direction and leaves in a radial direction. See Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 3 The Centrifugal Pump

142 mm

6 Identical Blades
Equally Spaced

Figure 4 The Impeller of the Pump

Page 3 of 22
 DeliveryValve

Venturi
Meter

Pump
Optional
Turbine
InletValve

Filter/Strainer

One-wayValve

Reservoir

Figure 5 System Layout of the Centrifugal Pump

Figure 5 shows the system layout. The reservoir holds water. The Universal Dynamometer turns the
Centrifugal Pump to give an increased outlet (delivery) pressure and a lower inlet pressure at the
pump. Water moves from the reservoir, through a strainer (filter) and one-way valve, up to a pump
inlet valve, then through the pump. The pump pushes water through an outlet (delivery) valve and
then through a Venturi. The Venturi works with the pressure display to measure flow from the
pump. The water moves from the Venturi and back down to the reservoir. If you fit an optional
turbine, the water moves from the Venturi, through the optional turbine and back down to the
reservoir.

For more experiments, you can order the optional turbines. You must use the optional Turbine
Dynamometer with the optional turbines because the turbines fit onto the Turbine Dynamometer.

Outlet (delivery) valve Venturi

Figure 6 The Top of the Frame, Showing the Important Parts

Page 4 of 22
The Digital Pressure Display

Figure 7 The Digital Pressure Display

The Digital Pressure Display includes four electronic pressure sensors. One sensor has
differential tappings (ΔP1) for the Venturi Meter, the other three have single tappings. Each
gauge includes a bleed port to bleed out the trapped air at the beginning of each test.

Pressure transducers P2, and P4 connect to the tappings in the pipework to give inlet and outlet
pressures of the pump (and the optional turbines). P3 is not used on this apparatus.

NOTE Trapped air will give false pressure readings.

The module includes a display for manual recording of results and a socket to link it to a VDAS
interface.

In the middle of the Pressure Display is a button marked ‘Press and Hold to Zero Display’. Use
this button to zero the pressure readings.

CAUTION
As a safety feature, the Pressure Display includes a water leak ‘witness’ hole. If the
transducer seals ever fail, the water will drain out of the drain hole at bottom of the module
to indicate the fault.
If this happens, disconnect the module from the electrical supply. Do not use the module
again unless a qualified engineer confirms that it is safe to use, or send the unit back to
TecQuipment for repair.

Page 5 of 22
Turbine Dynamometer (MFP101A) - Optional

Figure 8 The Turbine Dynamometer (MFP101A) and The Turbine Dynamometer Fitted with
a Turbine

The Turbine Dynamometer is a simple friction brake instrument. The optional turbines fit onto the
Turbine Dynamometer. As you turn the hand operated torque control, it pulls a belt against the
output drum of the turbine. This applies a load to the turbine. A force sensor and a lever work with
the belt to measure the torque as you apply the load. The product of the torque and shaft speed
gives the mechanical or shaft power that the turbine absorbs from the flowing water.

Supplied with the Turbine Dynamometer is a Torque and Speed Display instrument that calculates
and displays the turbine speed, torque and power. This display has a button to zero the torque
reading before you do an experiment.

Page 6 of 22
Pelton Wheel (MFP101B) - Optional

Figure 9 The Pelton Wheel (MFP101B)

through bucket Buckets Valve

Figure 10 How the Pelton Wheel Works

The Pelton Wheel (or Pelton Turbine) is an efficient turbine. It is an impulse water turbine,
developed by Lestor Allan Pelton, an American Inventor. Its moving part is a large wheel or
‘runner’ that has special bucket-shaped turbine blades that efficiently catch the energy of the
water that hits them. The buckets are in pairs to balance the wheel correctly and give good
energy transfer. Water enters the turbine through a nozzle at the end of a spear valve. The
nozzle directs the water onto the buckets, to give the best transfer of water energy to the
turbine. The energy of the water turns the turbine. The adjustable spear valve allows students
to discover the effects of changing the velocity of the water jet that hits the turbine buckets.

The Pelton Wheel is an efficient turbine (industrial turbines can be 85-90% efficient) that works
best with low flow rates and high inlet pressure.

Page 7 of 22
Technical Details
Centrifugal Pump (MFP101)

Item Details

Dimensions 1800 mm x 1670 mm high x 800 mm front to back

Nett Weight
(Without the Universal 170 kg (including the pressure display)
Dynamometer)

Electrical Supply Supplied from the Universal Dynamometer

Pump Impeller Diameter 142 mm

Maximum Pump Speed 2800 rev.min-1

Maximum Flow Rate 4 L.s-1

Maximum Delivery Pressure 2.5 bar (nominal)

Venturi Inlet Diameter and Area 34 mm and 0.000908 m2

Venturi Throat Diameter and Area 20 mm and 0.000314 m2

Venturi Coefficient of Discharge 0.97

Weight: 4 kg
Supply: 100 VAC to 260 VAC 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 1 A
Fuse: F6.3 A
Pressure Display ΔP1 : Two input (differential) pressure transducer - 2 bar
P2 : Single input - 2 bar (gauge)
P3 : Single input - 2 bar (gauge)
P4 : Single input - 6 bar (gauge)

Turbine Dynamometer (MFP101A) - Optional

Item Details

Dynamometer Weight 7.5 kg

540 mm high x 260 wide x 110 mm front to back

Speed and Torque Display Weight 4 kg

190 mm wide x 450 high x 250 mm front to back
Supply: 100 VAC to 260 VAC 50 Hz to 60 Hz, 1 A Fuse: F6.3 A

Maximum Power Absorption Approximately 300 W

Page 8 of 22
Page 9 of 22
Useful Equations and Theory
Notation
Symbol Details Units

p2 Pump Inlet Pressure Pa

p4 Pump Delivery Static Pressure (or turbine inlet pressure) Pa

Δp1 Pressure Difference Across the Venturi Pa

Cd Coefficient of discharge (for the Venturi) -

A1 Area at inlet to the Venturi m2

A2 Area at the Venturi throat m2

𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 Volumetric Flow Rate m3.s-1

Rad.s-1 (or rev.min-1 where

NP Pump Speed
shown)

WD Shaft Power Input to Pump (from dynamometer) W (Watt)

WP Hydraulic Power output of Pump W (Watt)

WL Power Losses (W1-W2) W (Watt)

WTH Hydraulic Power at the Turbine W (Watt)

WTS Turbine Shaft Power W (Watt)

𝜂𝜂P Efficiency of Pump %

𝜂𝜂T Efficiency of Turbine %

D Pump Impeller Diameter m

d Pipework Internal Diameter m

H Pump Total Head Pa or N.m-2

g Acceleration due to gravity m.s-2

T Torque Nm

𝜇𝜇 Viscosity Pa.s

𝜌𝜌 Water Density kg.m3

Page 10 of 22
Unit Conversions
To convert flow rate from m3.s-1 to L.s-1 multiply by 1000. (1 m3.s-1 = 1000 L.s-1)
To convert pressure from bars to Pascals, multiply by 100000. (1 bar = 100000 Pa)

Flow Measurement (the Venturi)

NOTE
If you use the optional VDAS, the software will automatically calculate the flow for you.
The pump and the turbines are part of the same water circuit, the flowrate is the same for
both.

To calculate the volumetric flow rate (𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 ) (in m3.s-1) from the pressure drop along the Venturi, use
the formula:

2∆𝑝𝑝1
𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 = 𝐶𝐶𝑑𝑑 𝐴𝐴1 (1)
�𝜌𝜌�𝐴𝐴21−1�
𝐴𝐴2
2

Where:

𝜌𝜌 = Water density (kg.m3) - For clean water at room temperature you may use 1000 kg.m-3 for
calculations)

Refer to Technical Details for the Venturi inlet and throat area.

Pump Performance and Efficiency

Head and flow rate are the two most important qualities of a pump. Next most important are its
efficiency and power needs.

Head

Engineers of fluid mechanics and dynamics use the term ‘Head’ (H). It is a relative value of
pressure or height of a liquid (usually water) between two points. It can be in units of water
height (in metres) or in pressure. The Pascal (Pa) is the SI unit. 1 Pascal = approximately 0.1
mm of water at room temperature. Because a Pascal is a very small unit of pressure,
engineers also use the bar for units of pressure, where 1 bar is approximately 10 m of water.

Page 11 of 22
Head Across a Pump

Head (H ) across a pump is the pressure difference change across a pump (outlet pressure - inlet
pressure). The relative height of the water source at the inlet of a pump affects its inlet pressure.
The relative height and restriction of the water system that the pump supplies affects its outlet
pressure.

Note that head is a relative value. So, the inlet and outlet pressures must be referenced to the same
base (atmospheric or ‘gauge’ pressure), or must be both absolute pressures.

For Head (in Pascals), you must use the equation:

H = p4 – p2 (2)

Remember that the pressure display shows pressure in bar, so you must multiply your answer by
100000 to give H in Pascals.

NOTE
The inlet pressure is indicated as a negative (suction) pressure, include this when you calculate the
Head.

Mechanical Power (into the Pump)

This is simply the shaft power at the pump. The Universal Dynamometer couples directly to the
shaft of the pump, so the shaft power displayed by the Motor Drive is the shaft power at the pump.

Hydraulic Power (from the Pump)

The hydraulic power (sometimes known as ‘water horsepower’) that the pump adds to the water is
a product of the flow through the pump and the increase in pressure (head) it gives:

𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 = (𝑝𝑝4 − 𝑝𝑝2 )𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 (3)

or
𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 = 𝐻𝐻𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 (4)

Note: In textbooks, this equation may be written as 𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 = 𝜌𝜌g𝐻𝐻𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 with H in metres of

water. An ideal water pump converts all its input (shaft) power into hydraulic power in the

water. So,

𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 = 𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷

Page 12 of 22
In a real pump, there are losses, due mainly to friction.

So, for a real pump, the hydraulic power it gives to the water is always less than the shaft power
given to the pump.

𝑊𝑊𝐷𝐷 = 𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 + 𝑊𝑊𝐿𝐿 (5)

Pump Efficiency

Equation 6 gives the overall efficiency of the pump. It is a simple ratio of hydraulic power out
against shaft power input to the pump.

𝑊𝑊
𝜂𝜂𝑃𝑃 = 𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 (× 100) (6)
𝐷𝐷

Non - Dimensional Equations

To help compare pumps of different sizes, engineers convert the pump performance into
dimensionless characteristics of ‘coefficients’. For the centrifugal pump they use the pump impeller
diameter (D) as a reference, so:

𝒬𝒬
𝐶𝐶𝒬𝒬 = Flow coefficient = 𝑁𝑁𝐷𝐷3 (7)
g𝐻𝐻 𝐻𝐻
𝐶𝐶𝐻𝐻 = Head coefficient = 𝑁𝑁2𝐷𝐷2 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝜌𝜌𝑁𝑁 2 𝐷𝐷 2
(8)
𝑊𝑊
𝐶𝐶𝑃𝑃 = Power coefficient = 32 5 (9)
𝜌𝜌𝑁𝑁 𝐷𝐷
𝜌𝜌𝜌𝜌𝐷𝐷 2
𝑅𝑅𝑒𝑒 = Reynolds Number = (10)
𝜇𝜇

N = rad.s-1 for these equations.

These coefficients allow you to plot all the information on one chart for a given design. The impeller
dimensions of the pump determine the Reynolds number, which is different for different pump
speeds.

The non - dimensional equations are not perfectly correct - there some problems when you use
them with very small pumps. Refer to a suitable fluid mechanics textbook for more details.

Turbine Performance and Efficiency

The power output (shaft power) of a turbine and the head of water (at a given flow rate) that
supplies it are the most important details needed to choose or design the correct turbine.

Page 13 of 22
 Hydraulic Power (into the Turbine)

NOTE
The hydraulic power into the turbine is not the same as the hydraulic power from the
pump. The Venturi and pipework cause some pressure loss. this is why you must measure
the pressure directly at the input to the turbine.

Equation 11 shows the hydraulic power of the water available at the turbine. It is a product
of the water pressure at the inlet of the turbine and the flow through the turbine. It is similar
to Equation 3, (for the pump) except that it does not include outlet pressure.

𝑊𝑊𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 𝑃𝑃4 𝒬𝒬𝑉𝑉 (11)

Note: In textbooks, this equation may be written as 𝑊𝑊𝑃𝑃 = 𝜌𝜌g𝒬𝒬𝐻𝐻 with H in metres of water.
This guide assumes that the outlet of the turbine is at atmospheric pressure, so the head
across the pump is simply the inlet pressure with respect to atmosphere.

Mechanical Shaft Power (from the Turbine)

The Torque and Speed Display measures this from the Turbine Dynamometer. It is the power
available at the shaft of the turbine.

Turbine Efficiency

Equation 6 gives the overall efficiency of the pump. It is a simple ratio of hydraulic power in against
shaft power available at the turbine.

𝑊𝑊
𝜂𝜂𝑇𝑇 = 𝑊𝑊 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 (× 100) (12)
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇

Page 14 of 22
Safety

• Never disconnect the pipework or the pressure pipes

when the pump is running. You will get wet! The
connectors are self-sealing, but the pipes are not!
• Never operate the motor controls or electrical supply
with wet hands.
WARNING

• Clean up water spills immediately.

• Never operate the apparatus with any covers or
guards removed.

• The water in this apparatus can reach pressures of

greater than 1 bar.
WARNING
• Wear suitable clothes and eye protection when using this
equipment.

WARNING
• The turbines create high noise levels. You must wear ear
defenders if you use the Pelton Turbine.

Page 15 of 22
Initial Setup
Before you use the pump, it must contain water. The one-way valve in the inlet pipe to the pump
will normally hold water in the pipework and inside the pump for several days, so you do not need
to repeat this procedure each time you use the pump. But, you must fill (prime) the pump if you
have not used it for several days. Refer to Prime the Pump on page 17 for details.

CAUTION Never run the pump without water. It will break.

Bleed the Pressure Pipes

For accurate readings in your experiments, you must bleed the trapped air from the pressure
measurement pipes. You must do this before each experiment.

NOTE Trapped air will give false pressure readings.

1. Fully open the delivery and inlet valves. To open the delivery valve, turn it’s handle to be in
line with the pipework. Turn the inlet valve fully anti-clockwise to open it.

2. Set the Universal Dynamometer speed control to minimum (fully anticlockwise). Switch on
the main switch on its Motor Drive.

3. Temporarily disconnect the pressure measurement pipes from the pressure display.
4. Allow at least 5 minutes for the instruments to “warm up” and stabilize. This is important
for the pressure display sensors.

5. Use the button on the pressure display to set all readings to zero and reconnect the
pressure measurement pipes to the pressure display.

6. Start the Universal Dynamometer and adjust its speed to approximately 2500 rev.min-1.
7. Use the bleed line in the bleed ports of the pressure display to bleed trapped air from the
pressure measurement pipes (see Figure 27).

8. Reduce the pump speed back down to zero. The equipment is ready for your experiments.

Page 16 of 22
Figure 27 The Bleed Line Inserted into a Bleed Port

Important Notes
Pump and Turbine Tests are easier if two students work together. One student operates the
controls, while the other student records results.

CAUTION Do not run the pump for long periods with the inlet and outlet valves fully closed.

NOTE When you stop the pump, the pressure display may show slight negative readings. This is
normal, it is due to the relative height (head) of water in the pressure pipes.

Page 17 of 22
Experiment 2 - Pelton Wheel Turbine Performance and
Efficiency

Aims

To find the performance and efficiency of the Pelton Wheel Turbine with different spear valve
settings.

To show the effect of different spear valve settings.

Procedure 1 - Fixed Inlet pressure with Varied Load and Four Different Spear
Valve Settings

1. Make sure that the Turbine Dynamometer and the Pelton Wheel are fitted correctly as shown
earlier in this guide. Make sure the pressure display measures the inlet pressure to the turbine
and not the outlet pressure of the pump.

2. Create a blank results table, similar to Table 3. If you are to use VDAS, the software will create
the results table for you automatically when you take readings.
Inlet pressure:
Spear Valve Setting:
Hydraulic Turbine Turbine
Turbine Speed Δp1 Flow Rate
Power Shaft Power Efficiency
(rev.min-1) (bar) (m3.s-1)
(W) (W) 𝜂𝜂 T

Table 3 Blank Results Table for Pelton Turbine Fixed Spear Procedure

Page 18 of 22
 3. Read and obey the Initial Setup

4. Adjust the spear valve setting of the Pelton Turbine to fully open (unscrewed for maximum
flow).

5. Set the pump inlet and delivery valves to fully open.

6. On the Turbine Dynamometer, unscrew the torque adjustment control so that the band
brake is loose (no torque). Look at the back of the Turbine Dynamometer and check that the
band brake is fitting correctly.

7. Gently tap the side of the Turbine Dynamometer, then press and hold the ‘press & hold to
zero’ button. This sets the torque to zero.

8. Use the Universal Dynamometer to turn the pump to give about 70% of the maximum
possible turbine inlet pressure. The Pelton Wheel will start turning.

9. Record all readings. If you are using VDAS, click on the record data values button, to record
all data automatically.

10. Slowly adjust the torque of the Turbine Dynamometer until the turbine reaches a speed that
is a multiple of 100 (for example 1500 rev.min-1). Check the inlet pressure is still as it was in
step 8 and readjust the pump speed if necessary. Record all readings.

11. Use the Turbine Dynamometer to increase the torque on the turbine to reduce the turbine
speed in steps of 100 rev.min-1(+/- 5 rev.min-1). At each step, check the inlet pressure is still
as it was in step 8, then record all readings.

12. Stop the test when the turbine speed becomes unsteady.

13. Repeat the test at spear valve settings of 12 turns (roughly 75% open), 8 turns (roughly 50%
open) and 4 turns (roughly 25% open).

Procedure 2 - Fixed Inlet Pressure and Turbine Speed with Varied Spear Setting

1. Create a blank results table, similar to Table 4. If you are to use VDAS, the software will create
the results table for you automatically when you take readings.

2. Adjust the spear valve setting of the Pelton Turbine to fully open (unscrewed for maximum
flow).

3. Set the pump inlet and delivery valves to fully open.

4. On the Turbine Dynamometer, unscrew the torque adjustment control so that the band brake
is loose (no torque). Look at the back of the Turbine Dynamometer and check that the band
brake is fitting correctly.

5. Gently tap the side of the Turbine Dynamometer, then press and hold the ‘press & hold to
zero’ button. This sets the torque to zero.

Page 19 of 22
 6. Use the Universal Dynamometer to turn the pump to give about 70% of the maximum
possible turbine inlet pressure. The Pelton Wheel should start turning.

7. Slowly increase the load on the turbine until its speed reaches 1200 rev.min-1(+/- 5 rev.min-
1
).

8. Record all readings. If you are using VDAS, click on the record data values button, to record
all data automatically.

9. Screw in the spear valve by one turn, so that it is almost fully open.

10. If necessary, readjust the pump speed to set the inlet pressure back to the value you had in
step 6.

11. If necessary, readjust the turbine load to set its speed back to 1200 rev.min-1(+/- 5 rev.min-1).

12. Record all readings.

13. Continue to screw in the spear valve until it is almost shut (roughly 2/16 open). At each valve
setting, readjust the pump speed and turbine torque (if necessary), to keep the inlet pressure
and turbine speed constant, then record all readings.

Note

At 1/16 open, the flow velocity will only turn the Pelton Wheel with a small load, so there is no use
taking readings at this setting.

Because of manufacturing tolerances, your spear valve may have between 14 and 18 turns. Allow
for this in your experiment.

Page 20 of 22
Inlet pressure:
Pelton Turbine Speed: 1200 rev.min-1

Hydraulic Turbine Turbine

Δp1 Flow Rate
Spear Valve Setting Power Shaft Power Efficiency
(bar) (m3.s-1)
(W) (W) 𝜂𝜂 T

Fully open

15/16

14/16

13/16

75% open

11/16

10/16

9/16

50% open

7/16

6/16

5/16

25% open

3/16

2/16

Table 4 Blank Results Table for Pelton Turbine Varied Spear Procedure

Page 21 of 22
Results Analysis

Use the equations in the ‘Useful Equations and Theory’ section to calculate the flow, hydraulic
power and efficiency for each set of results.

NOTE.
If you use TecQuipment’s VDAS, the software will automatically calculate these values for you.

As you increase the load on the turbine, what do you notice about the inlet pressure and flow (and
therefore hydraulic power)?

For the fixed spear setting results, create a chart of turbine shaft power (vertical axis) against
turbine speed (horizontal axis). On one chart, plot the results for all four spear settings.

Create another chart with four curves of turbine efficiency (vertical axis) against speed.

From the varied spear valve results, create a chart of efficiency (vertical axis) against spear valve
opening.

How does the spear valve setting affect the performance of the turbine?

Page 22 of 22