A study on power generation improvements in a pumped storage powerhouse by using suitable guide vane sealing materials

Abstract

Rising population and limited power generation resources restrict many countries abilities to harvest the potential advantages of electric supply and chart a direction to economic growth. Further more, energy efficiency and optimization, which enables the powerhouse to operate optimallyis the baseto enhance electricity generation in India. Although researchers have made substantial contributions to the power plant literature, aspects concerning waterleakage and control in powerhouses have been understudied. Though powerhouses are widespread in many developing countries, the case of India needs some urgent attention as it is a central area of power generation in the country. Preliminary literature review and survey reveal the striking problem of water leakage in powerhouses during power generation and pumping operations. This water leakage hinders the actual water flow rateintothe turbine runner, affecting power generation and pumping mode operations. It causes losses of water, power and economic misfortune. In this thesis, four materials Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Polyurethane and Filled Polytetrafluoroetylne are evaluated as guide vane end sealing materials to replace the existing option in a powerhouse. In this approach, an innovatives election procedure is built on material testing (hardness, tensile strength,elongation at break, compressive strength and water absorption) to analyse the potentialcandidate(s)for choice. The selected option shouldreplace theexisting guide vane endsealingmaterial based on improvement in power generation andreduction in pumping mode operation. Filled Polytetrafluoroethylene is finally selected after various mechanical testing and used asa guide vane end sealing material. This end sealing material isfitted in the guide vane assembly and tested for 10 months 15 daysand found ingood working condition and there was nowater leakage. newline