Repeatability in Measurements and Control Settings of a Small Francis Turbine Test Rig

Abstract

A reduced scaled-down hydraulic turbine test setup has been designed. The test setup is made to investigate the mitigation of pressure pulsations like the rotating vortex rope (RVR) and its formation and problems related to prototype operation. The setup arrangements and instrumentations follow mostly the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. This paper presents the runner hub modification, calibration procedure, repeatability and systematic uncertainty estimation, and measurement methods per the guidelines in IEC 60193 and IEC 60041. The calibration and regression errors of all instruments are presented. A labview program for open-loop operation at a constant head and closed-loop operation at constant discharge is also presented. Finally, the systematic and random uncertainty of hydraulic efficiency is discussed.