Abstract

Abstract Modern super-turbine practice presents the problems of controlling high static pressures, of controlling and utilizing the flow characteristics in long pipe lines, and of controlling a highly energized water column and handling the heavy revolving weights of generator and turbine. The author outlines the general specifications for apparatus to accomplish these objects, and shows how the development of the Johnson automatic plunger valve, the Johnson differential surge tank, and the Kingsbury thrust bearing have successfully solved the problem and made the modern turbine possible. Other refinements in design which have had a notable influence on turbine development are improvements in turbine governors, experimental work on draft tubes, methods of preventing leakage, and the Taylor sectional scroll case. Pitting and corrosion of runners can now be avoided by the adoption of a conservative specific speed. The improvement in efficiency of turbines is exemplified by the 55,000-hp. units of the Queenston plant of the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario. These have a maximum efficiency of 93.5 per cent, an efficiency at the point of maximum discharge of 88 per cent, and a capacity range of 37,000 to 60,000 hp. at efficiencies of 92 per cent or over. New developments in test methods include the Gibson process of determining the rate of flow in long closed pressure conduits, and the Allen “salt velocity” method of determining flow, which is especially applicable to short conduits of non-uniform section. The Gibson method is more accurate and precise than the electrical measurements used in conjunction with it.

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