Effect of the multi sized silt for analyzing the erosion wear mechanism on 13Cr-4Ni steel

Abstract

— The major component of a hydroelectric power plant is the hydro turbine, which regrettably experiences issues like silt erosion that lower its efficiency over time and shorten their useful lives. In India, there are many hydro power facilities that are struggling with the silting issue. Data was gathered from power plants like Baglihar Hydro power plant, India that were having issues with silt erosion. Due to the high levels of silt in the water, this power plant sustains regular damage and must undergo numerous operations. The high velocity of the water jet caused by the collision of these sediments over time causes damage to the turbine blades by cutting or deforming the surface, ultimately leaving the turbine useless. The lull period between repair, replacement, and/or maintenance of the runner will undoubtedly have a negative impact on these hydropower producing facilities' ability to produce power continuously. For this reason, the design engineers place a high priority on studying silt erosion and the harm that it causes to the turbine. Additionally, the analysis is crucial in determining the material to be used in the construction of the turbine components so that there would be a minimum amount of maintenance and damage during operation. Erosion is a function of various parameters such as concentration, particle size, velocity of flow, hardness of silt particles, as well as the properties of base material.  The present study evaluates the use of 13Cr-4Ni steel which has the potential to be used as a hydro turbine material, subjected to hydro turbine conditions for analyzing the silt erosion behaviour at particular rotational speed and concentration using different particle size of the silt.