Main Objective
To develop a model to measure the degree of sediment erosion utilizing image processing to determine change in performance of Pelton Turbine
Specific Objectives
To develop a system to calculate deviation in profile due to sediment erosion of a Pelton runner bucket
To develop a mechanism to translate and compare the performance of the Pelton runner before and after sediment erosion using computational fluid dynamics
(CFD).
To validate the results of CFD by performing hydraulic efficiency test of the Pelton runner before and after sediment erosion
To compile the outcomes of above-mentioned objectives and develop a model to measure performance of the Pelton runner based on images of runner bucket

Expected Outcomes
For an effective maintenance scheduling of turbines in sediment-affected power
plants, it is essential to determine the condition of turbine. Traditional methods
require shut down of the unit and measurement of bucket profile using templates. It
is a tedious process and requires a long unit shut down. This research intends to
develop a method using image processing techniques to determine Pelton bucket
profile in situ condition with minimal unit shut down duration.
Supervisors from host and Partner Universities
Hari Prasad Neopane (Kathmandu University)
Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
Sailesh Chitrakar (Kathmandu University)
Sajan Shrestha
PhD Candidate
mecher.sajan@gmail.com
2022 Batch