Micro Hydro Electric Power Plant (MHEP) Prototype A Study of the Effect of Blade Numbers Toward Turbine Rotational Velocity

Abstract

Micro hydro electric power plant (MEPP) prototype is a small scale power plant (less than 100 kW) that utilizes height difference and water discharge per second. Prototype consists of a water pump, where capacity of 41 liter per minute serving as turbine driving force channelled through a nozzle, with a 40 liter water reservoir, and the water flow rate controller is a gate valve. The results show that at blade counts of 4,8,12, and 16, and with water discharge at 40 l/s, 35 l/s, 30l/s, and 25 l/s, with nozzle shooting angle of 50 °, the turbine rotational velocities are 310 rpm, 639 rpm, 655.5 rpm, and 691.3 rpm respectively. Furthermore, at water discharge of 35 l/s, the velocities are 293.3 rpm, 375,3 rpm, 412.7 rpm, 446.2 rpm, and at water discharge of 30 l/s, they are 240.3 Rpm, 395.0 rpm, 430.5 rpm, 445.2 Rpm. Moreover, at water discharge 25 of l/s, the speeds are 285.5 rpm, 330.5 rpm, 426.0 rpm, 431.1 rpm. It is concluded that the higher the water discharge rate, the greater the number of rotation, and it is also concluded that shooting angle has a significant effects on pelton turbine rotation and power.