Computer-Aided Analysis of Hydraulic Reaction Turbines

Abstract

A microcomputer-based educational software package designed to help mechanical engineering students to understand hydraulic reaction turbines is described. The software is interactive, menu-driven, and easy-to-use, is written in the Pascal computer language, and runs on IBM PC, or compatible, computers. The program can handle radial, mixed, or axial flow turbine problems by solving for unknown variables through a complete set of equations covering the turbine installation. Using similarity laws, model-prototype problems or operation under different conditions can also be tackled. Furthermore, the program is equipped with graphical utilities that include many diagrammatic sketches of reaction turbines, some recommended charts, and the possibility of drawing velocity triangles when corresponding variables are available. The most important feature of the package is an option that allows one to plot the variation of any parameter versus any other one. Through this option, the student can easily understand and discuss the effects of varying design parameters on the overall performance of the machine. Finally, some special features that are important in making the package user-friendly and encouraging-to-use are also available, and the comprehensive example problem provided demonstrates the capabilities of the package as an instructional tool.