(Proceedings, INDIA HYDRO 2005, 19–21 February 2005, New Delhi, pp. 134–143).
Hydraulic turbine components installed in the Himalayan River erode due to excessive sediment particles in water. Most of the hydropower plants in Nepal are facing problem of silt erosion. The surface of the turbine deforms due to impingement by sand particles at high impact energy and surface becomes rougher. There is a relation between surface roughness and erosion rate of turbine components. Eroded surface becomes rougher in macro level and the surface gets polished in micro level. The erosion rate for the rough surface is higher than ground surface. Erosion experiment carried out on high velocity jet erosion test rig at NTNU/SINTEF revealed the relationship between erosion and surface roughness. The observation of eroded surface at Norwegian and Nepalese hydropower plant also supported the concept. The knowledge of relation between surface roughness and erosion can be used as erosion damage inspection indicator and this information can also be used as condition monitoring tool for maintenance strategy.
Turbine components, Sediment particles, Impingement, Sand particles, Impact energy, Surface roughtness, Erosion, Macro level, Micro level, Maintenance strategy
