Efficiency Measurements
Don Pedro Power Plant Testing
The
Turlock Irrigation District retained Devine Tarbell & Associates (DTA) to
perform thermodynamic efficiency testing. In order to obtain more accurate data
for use in flow calculations by the owner. The owner also wanted to determine
the turbine efficiency curve for each turbine—information to be used in economic
analysis of planned improvements and/or maintenance for the units.
DTA performed a thermodynamic efficiency test in accordance with IEC Code 41 on each of the four turbine-generator units at this plant. Thermodynamic efficiency testing was accomplished with resulting turbine efficiency uncertainty of +/-0.75 percent at the best efficiency point.
Head loss measurements of the conveyance system were made and the head loss coefficient was determined. The permanently installed Winter-Kennedy system was calibrated using differential pressure measurements and the flows found from the thermodynamic tests. The owner continued to use the Winter-Kennedy taps as an on-line efficiency monitoring system.