Silt Erosion in Hydro Turbines and Status of Small Hydropower in India - A Review

Small hydropower is cleanest wellspring of energy. In India, the plants up to 25 MW are considered as small hydropower plant. In India and across the globe, hydro power plants are facing erosion problems due to Silt. Silt molecules that move through hydro turbine segments cause erosion to the surface which interacts with it. Silt size, concentration, velocity of flow, properties of silt materials and working hours of turbine assume a fundamental part in harm to the turbine segments. The proficiency of the turbine diminishes with increment in erosive wear. The present study is based on review of Small hydro power status in India and its biggest enemy is erosion in hydro turbines due to silt. In this present paper, the studies related to small hydro power and silt erosion by various investigators have been presented. The studies presented by various investigators are based on experimental work, numerical simulation and case studies.