Discharge estimation techniques for hydraulic efficiency testing
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Date
1997-08-01T00:00:00Z
Authors
Hans, Pamela Dianne
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Abstract
Field performance testing of hydraulic turbines is used to define the head-power-discharge relationship for a turbine/generator; this relationship is used to identify the peak operating point for a turbine. Of the variables used to determine this relationship, discharge is most difficult to measure accurately in real time and is most susceptible to measurement error. The velocity-area method of discharge measurement is favored by many hydroelectric utilities as it is well suited to application at low-head plants, and is therefore the subject of this r search. Velocity data collected during field performance tests were used to compare discharge estimates obtained using various distributions of metering points. This analysis suggests that an accurate estimate of discharge may be obtained by establishing the arrangement of measurement-points based on the true intake velocity profile, rather than on an idealized velocity distribution. Laboratory testing was undertaken to investigate the results of the numericalanalysis. An observed relationship between the horizontal velocity profile and unit discharge prompted analysis of a Reduced Data Set (RDS) method of estimating discharge. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)