Data acquisition


Water turbines keep on running with Rainpower


Rainpower has used HBK equipment to develop a unique flight recorder tool for accurate dynamic measurements on water turbines in hydropower plants.


R


ainpower provides professional engineering services for the development of hydroelectric power.


Based in Trondheim, Norway, the company’s turbine lab has played a pivotal role in testing and developing new turbines since 1985 and has been involved in some of the largest and most prestigious projects in the world, such as the Three Gorges Dam project on the Yangtze River in China. When it comes to water


turbines, runner blades are a critical component. Often faced with tough conditions, such as high-water pressure and water speed, it is important to ensure specifications are consistent with the performance of the blade.


To address this issue, Rainpower has


developed a new measurement tool called a Flight Recorder to accurately measure the dynamic stress on runner blades during all modes of operation. HBK was invited to step in and specify a solution for the Data Acquisition System (DAQ) part of the unit. The Flight Recorder is a battery-operated


system, where all data is stored locally, negating the need for an underwater data transmission system. Used to measure strain on turbine blades, pressure distribution in the runner in different places, vibration on different locations, and temperature on the runner surface, such data is invaluable for calibration of data simulations and numerical analysis.


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November 2021 Instrumentation Monthly


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