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1. Introduction
Pelton turbines are widely used all over the world for electric power generation. This type of turbines with horizontal rotors is commonly used for power rates below 20 MW for small hydro power plant which allows environmentally friendly, local, and stable power supply.
There are several studies about the dynamic behavior of Pelton turbines and its failures. These studies are mainly focused on the performance calculation [1, 2]; the bucket erosion [3–6]; and the bucket fracture [7–9]. Computer fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and most experimental studies are carried out considering that jet centerline coincides with bucket centerline. Taking into account this consideration, there are no axial forces and therefore there is no need to study the axial motion of horizontal Pelton turbines. However, in practice, it is found that, under some conditions, excessive axial motion can occur, producing, in some extreme cases, catastrophic failure of the bearing. The axial motion of an horizontal Pelton turbine is originated due to axial forces on the rotor, which can be originated due to two main causes (Figure 1):
(i) the axial force due to water jet on the bucket,
(ii) the axial force due to the magnetic field on generator rotor,
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
Axial force on the bucket due to water jet is zero if the jet centerline coincides with bucket centerline. If both centerlines do not coincide, then there will be an axial force
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
Figure 5 shows the jet separation where
[figures omitted; refer to PDF]
Then, the axial force on bucket due to change in momentum can be determined as follows:
In equation (2),
The axial hydraulic force
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
The bucket’s relative position with respect to jet impact position changes as rotor rotates (Figure 7); thus, there is a variation of force magnitude every time a bucket passes, which leads into a magnitude variation at the bucket passing frequency
[figures omitted; refer to PDF]
In equation (3),
2.2. Axial Force on the Rotor Generator due to Magnetic Forces
Magnetic fields in stator and rotor generator can be considered as symmetrical with respect to an axial position in both stator and rotor. The axial position of stator magnetic field center is fixed, while the axial position of rotor magnetic field center moves with the rotor. If both axial positions do not coincide, then there will be a magnetic force or magnetic pull that tries to maintain both magnetic fields centers at the same axial position.
Figure 9 shows the axial rotor magnetic field center at
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
The magnetic force on rotor due to interaction of the
In equation (5),
In equation (6),
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
Using equations (6) to (8) into (5), the axial magnetic force in equation (9) is obtained. Figure 11 shows magnetic force magnitude considering typical values of
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
As in the case of axial force due to jet, there will be a change in the magnitude of the magnetic force as rotor rotates due to relative position of poles. This change in magnetic force will be considered as the modulation function
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
If the clearance in the working side is higher than the one necessary to obtain an adequate lubricant behavior, then there will be an interval of axial motion
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
Taking the previous analysis into account, the bearing axial stiffness is considered as follows:
In equation (12),
2.4. Equation of Motion
Due to high torque and low rotating speed in hydraulic turbines, the rotor has a higher diameter in relation to its length when compared to other types of turbines as gas or steam turbines. For that reason, the rotor first natural frequency in flexion is usually much higher than its rotating speed. Moreover, the first natural frequency in axial compression and traction is much higher than the first natural frequency in flexion. For these reasons, the rotor is considered as a rigid body in axial direction. Simulations of horizontal Pelton turbines [21] show that axial natural frequencies are much higher than those of excitation forces. By international standards as API 670, the rotor should be considered as a rigid body if its main excitation frequency is below 0.7 times rotor natural frequency. In the case of the proposed model, the excitation in axial direction with higher frequency is the bucket passing frequency
In equation (13),
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
In Figure 16, the conditions that are important for adequate axial behavior are as follows:
(i) The positions for zero axial force are equal for
(ii) The position for zero axial forces coincides with the axial position of zero reaction at bearing, which means that
(iii) Axial clearance of bearing is adequate
The nonlinear differential equation of motion in equation (14) was solved making use of MATLAB, using ode113 with a variable time step.
2.5. Model Variables to be Determined
Rotor dimensions, rotor material, flow rate, power rate, and generator current and voltage are known. Then, the model can be solved for different values of
The value
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]
The adjustment was carried out making use of different measurements of turbine. It is useful to count on the axial motion measured rotating at constant speed, zero current, and zero voltage in generator: full speed no load (FSNL). This condition allows focusing on
3. Actual Cases
3.1. Measurements
Measurements were carried out in two different power stations. In both stations, power rate, stator and rotor currents and voltages, and nozzle spear position were obtained from power station control system. Axial motion was measured making use of displacement sensor Baumer IWRM 18U9501 with a measuring range from 2 to 5 mm mounted in a support with a magnetic ferrite base (Figure 18). The displacement sensor was powered by a 24 V power supply. The rotating speed was determined using the voltage output of a Monarch PLT200 optical tachometer which detected a reflective tape in rotor using a laser light source. The voltage signal from displacement sensor and optical tachometer was recorded using a NI 9229 module installed in a CompactDAQ 9174 USB chassis both from National Instruments. The analog to digital converter of NI 9229 allowed measuring a voltage range of ±60 V at 24 bits. The sampling frequency used in measurements was 25600 Hz.
[figure omitted; refer to PDF]3.2. Case I: Actual Case with Normal Axial Motion
The first actual case, using the model, considers the Pelton turbine described in Table 1. This unit was operating for twenty-two months presenting no bearing failure and normal working temperatures. After parameter adjustment, the values of axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers, bearing center, bearing axial clearance, and bearing nonworking interval are shown in Table 2. Figure 19 shows the waveform of model prediction and measurements at different operating conditions. Table 3 shows the maximum, minimum, and averaged axial position obtained with model predictions and measurements. A good agreement is observed between simulated and measured axial motion.
Table 1
Horizontal Pelton turbine, Case I.
Power rate | 10 | MW |
Net head | 600 | m |
Flow | 1.89 | m3/s |
Number of buckets | 19 | |
Rotating speed | 1000 | rpm |
Rotor length | 1.240 | m |
Rotor diameter | 1.480 | m |
Stator diameter | 1.500 | m |
Total rotor weight | 11800 | kg |
Number of poles | 6 |
Table 2
Calculated parameters, Case I.
1.70 | mm | |
−0.30 | mm | |
0.00 | mm | |
0.90 | mm | |
Máx | 0.00 | |
Máx | 0.00 |
[figures omitted; refer to PDF]
Table 3
Model prediction and experimental measurements, Case I.
Power rate in MW | Axial position of rotor in mm | |||
Model prediction | Experimental measurement | Difference | ||
0 | Maximum | 0.45 | 0.45 | 0.00 |
Minimum | −0.45 | −0.45 | 0.00 | |
2 | Maximum | −0.27 | −0.28 | 0.01 |
Minimum | −0.29 | −0.28 | 0.01 | |
4 | Maximum | −0.25 | −0.26 | 0.01 |
Minimum | −0.26 | −0.26 | 0.00 | |
6 | Maximum | −0.22 | −0.23 | 0.01 |
Minimum | −0.23 | −0.23 | 0.00 | |
8 | Maximum | −0.19 | −0.20 | 0.01 |
Minimum | −0.20 | −0.20 | 0.00 | |
10 | Maximum | −0.17 | −0.17 | 0.00 |
Minimum | −0.18 | −0.17 | 0.01 |
After this analysis, and taking into account the values in Table 2, it was concluded that the axial motion was normal and adequate for continuous operation with no restrictions.
3.3. Case II: Actual Case with Excessive Axial Motion and Bearing Failure
The second actual case, using the model, considers the Pelton turbine described in Table 4. The stator poles of this Pelton turbine were replaced due to the end of its useful life. After startup, there was a bearing failure, showing Babbitt erosion and contact in axial direction. After this failure, bearing was repaired and mounted. The measurements shown in this section were taken after reparation. After parameter adjustment, the values of axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers, bearing center, bearing axial clearance, and bearing nonworking interval are shown in Table 5. Figure 20 shows the waveform of model prediction and measurements at different operating conditions. Table 6 shows the maximum, minimum, and averaged axial position obtained with model predictions and measurements. A good agreement is observed between simulated and measured axial motion.
Table 4
Horizontal Pelton turbine, Case II.
Power rate | 8 | MW |
Net head | 475 | m |
Flow | 1.91 | m3/s |
Number of buckets | 19 | |
Rotating speed | 300 | rpm |
Rotor length | 0.500 | m |
Rotor diameter | 3.330 | m |
Stator diameter | 3.460 | m |
Total rotor weight | 20800 | kg |
Number of poles | 20 |
Table 5
Calculated parameters, Case II.
9.65 | mm | |
10.28 | mm | |
0.00 | mm | |
0.80 | mm | |
Máx | 0.00 | |
Máx | 0.00 |
[figures omitted; refer to PDF]
Table 6
Model prediction and experimental measurements, Case II.
Power rate in MW | Axial position of rotor in mm | |||
Model prediction | Experimental measurement | Difference | ||
2 | Maximum | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.01 |
Minimum | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.00 | |
4 | Maximum | 0.18 | 0.18 | 0.00 |
Minimum | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.01 | |
6 | Maximum | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.00 |
Minimum | −0.50 | −0.50 | 0.00 | |
8 | Maximum | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.00 |
Minimum | −0.50 | −0.50 | 0.00 |
In this case, there was a nonstationary behavior for power rates over 6 MW. Over 6 MW, there is an axial bounce of rotor against bearing. After this analysis, and taking into account the values in Table 5, it was concluded that the axial motion was mainly due to the difference between axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers and due to the difference between axial positions of bearing. Until corrective action, it was suggested not to operate over 4 MW. A corrective action was performed moving bearing in order to correct axial position. It was not considered to move stator frame or to move nozzle because it is more expensive in time and costs when comparing to bearing adjustment. After this correction, no bounces in axial motion were detected at 6 and 8 MW, and the unit was able to operate at all its power ranges.
4. Conclusions
A model of axial motion of Pelton horizontal turbine is proposed. The model needs a set of experimental data under different operating conditions in order to determine the unknown values of axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers, bearing position, and bearing clearance. After the adjustment of these variables, the model accurately predicts axial motion of Pelton horizontal turbine. Knowing these variables allows evaluating the influence of different sources of axial motion: due to the difference in centerlines of nozzle and bucket and due to the difference in axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers; due to bearing positioning and due to bearing axial clearance.
The model is tested in two cases: with a turbine under normal axial motion and with a turbine presenting excessive axial motion and damage in one of the bearings. In the case of excessive axial motion, it was possible to determine the main causes of axial motion. Taking this into account, a corrective action was suggested. After corrective action, the excessive axial motion was reduced and no longer axial failure in bearing occurred.
Additional Points
(i) A nonlinear dynamic model for axial motion of horizontal Pelton turbine is presented
(ii) Axial forces in the model are due to the difference between nozzle centerline and bucket centerline and due to the difference between axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers
(iii) Nonlinear dynamic model is used to reproduce two actual Pelton turbines axial motion
(iv) The dynamic model allows determining and evaluating the source of axial motion.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the University of Concepcion financial fund VRID-Enlace no. 216.094.035-1.0.
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Abstract
Pelton turbines are important machines for power generation from a renewable energy source such as water. For power rates below 20 MW, the rotor of Pelton turbines is usually in horizontal position. Considering ideal mounting and operating conditions, there are no axial forces acting on the rotor. In practice, there is an hydraulic force due to the difference between nozzle centerline and bucket centerline, and there is a magnetic force due to the difference between axial position of stator and rotor magnetic field centers. These forces are supported by bearings. In this article, a nonlinear dynamic model considering these axial forces and bearings behavior is presented and solved for two different actual Pelton turbines. The nonlinear dynamic model allows determining and evaluating the source of axial motion and therefore provides valuable information in order to reduce it when the axial displacement is high enough to produce damage.
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Details




1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Concepcion, Edmundo Larenas 219, 4070409 Concepcion, Chile
2 Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Concepcion, Edmundo Larenas 219, 4070409 Concepcion, Chile
3 Centre of Industrial Diagnostics and Fluid Dynamics (CDIF), Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Av. Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona, Spain