Operational transients in the guide bearings of a 10 MW Kaplan turbine

Experiments using a 10 MW Kaplan hydropower machine with a PowerFormerTM generator (the Porjus U9 research machine) are described. This machine has an extensive array of sensors to determine oil film thickness, pad tilting, pad load and oil temperature in all three guide bearings, as well as motion of the shaft in relation to both the bearing housings and the concrete foundation. Test results for all three guide bearings are examined during both steady-state and transient operation.