Instrumentation calibration and process variable measurement in a pico-hydro turbine application

Al Fulaiti, Younis (2018) Instrumentation calibration and process variable measurement in a pico-hydro turbine application. Honours thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

Accurate measurement of flow is essential for understanding the efficiency of a pico-hydro system. A project was conducted at Murdoch University to calibrate the instrumentation for direct and indirect flow in a pico hydro system. Direct and indirect flow measurement were carried out through the Signet Magmeter and pressure transmitter, respectively. The direct measurements were taken through Georg Fisher (+GF+) software, while indirect flow was measured by connecting Fluke 744 Multi-Function Calibrator with pressure transmitter to record the output signal. Thereafter, head and pressure equations were used to find the flow.

Promag-10 as the reference standard determined the actual flow rates of the water. Pressure transmitter and Signet 2551 Magmeter were calibrated using an Endress & Hauser industrial magnetic flow meter (Promag-10) to prove that the flow rate passes across them is in line with the reference Standard. The flow rate of Signet 2551 Magmeter and pressure transmitter compared their respective references (the Promag-10). Based on the results, both of them were able to provide accurate flow rate measurement. The results showed that the Signet 2551 Magmeter is more accurate by using 25mm pipe compared to a pressure transmitter.

The LabVIEW software is configured to measure and control the flow of the turbine. The thesis discusses the accuracy of all measurements and assesses the capability of the measurement system. This study shows the main operation and characteristics of three different transmitters (flow and pressure). The main objective of these experiments was to study the instrumentation calibration and process variable measurement in a pico-hydro turbine application. It can be done by study the flow measurement and verify that the Signet 2551 Magmeter reading is consistent with reference flowmeter (Promag-10) and also to confirm that it is working satisfactorily during the operation. The determination of overall efficiency of this project derives from calculating the ratio of the two powers; the hydraulic power input (W) to the pico turbine and the power output sourced from a predicated online calculator. The assumed overall efficiency of the PowerSpout generator was found in this research. And compared with the range stated by the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated efficiency on the fair range (40- 49 %) and the estimated efficiency was found at 45% implying that this value agrees with the predicated efficiency was provided by manufacturer.

The strength of the study lies in its use of the actual project in the instrument calibration. The future work segment provides an improvement proposal for the current project such as Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) (4-20mA) installation and the installation of a sensor to measure upstream flow.

Item Type:	Thesis (Honours)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Engineering and Information Technology
Supervisor(s):	Whale, Jonathan
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/44795

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