Investigation of the Utilization of Kaplan Turbines for PLTMH Power Plants

Abstract

The potential of water in Indonesia to generate electrical energy is quite large. This water potential is very suitable for generating small-scale energy. Water is sent through the penstock to drive the turbine. The turbine is coupled with a generator to produce electrical energy. The turbines used vary widely. For this research, the Kaplan turbine is used. The Kaplan turbine was chosen because of the low head required, which is suitable for conditions in Indonesia. The diameter of the Kaplan turbine tested was 25 cm. It is equipped with a guide vane arrangement. To obtain the Kaplan turbine output, the turbine is coupled to a generator. The test refers to the IEC standard. The turbine is operated at a constant speed and the generator voltage is fixed and the discharge varies. The results showed that the larger the guide vane opening, the higher the flow rate; the greater the flow rate of the resulting power, the greater. Efficiency for guide vane 30 openings occurs at 6.65m head and 0.065m 3 /sec volumetric flowrate with efficiency 50,13%. The highest efficiency is obtained for the guide vane 40 opening, which is 57.14% at 4.15 head and 0.074m3/sec flow rate.