System and method for enhancing a net head of a reaction turbine

Abstract

The most useful form of renewable energy is Hydropower. This holds 16–20% share of total energy generation. Reaction type hydro turbines are predominantly used due to its advantages on the operation under high flow and low/medium head and high discharge. This paper proposes a system and method for enhancing a net head of a turbine by the way of proper design consideration of tail race channel. The system includes a reaction turbine including scroll casing, guide vanes, and a draft tube. Further, the system also includes a first flow regulating means which reduces a water level in the tailrace to a minimum threshold level from a maximum threshold level when the reaction turbine is operating at a load power corresponding to a high load and maintains the water level in the tailrace to the minimum threshold level to avoid cavitation during the flow of water in the tailrace, thereby enhancing the net head of the reaction turbine. The guide vanes and multiple runner blades reduce a flow rate of the water discharged from the draft tube upon operating on an arrangement of the guide vanes and the multiple runner blades, upon enhancing the net head of the reaction turbine.