Rainpower Uses HBK Equipment to Develop a Unique Flight Recorder Tool for Accurate Dynamic Measurements on Water Turbines in Hydropower Plants

Meeting the Need

For this project, QuantumX units from HBK were used to collect data with a CX22 industrial computer/data recorder, with flash memory. The system, which runs with catman software, was mounted in a tailor-made framing system, and placed inside waterproof housing with waterproof subsea connectors.

The QuantumX data acquisition system (DAQ) is the perfect tool for reliable data acquisition of different physical quantities and sensor technologies. Flexible, reliable, and easy to use, the system is small and portable, meeting the design requirements specified. 

Before testing, HBK strain gauges are applied to runner blades on predefined spots, and the other transducers are mounted on their appropriate places. All transducers are then connected to the Flight Recorder with watertight cables, and the unit is then mounted onto the hub of the runner. Before filling the turbine with water, the recorder is switched on and the catman program starts collecting data. The recorder then collects data during filling up the turbine, through different modes of operation, after shutting down and when the dewatering of the turbine starts. When the system is empty, the runner can be inspected, and all data from the Flight Recorder can be transferred to a laptop, and a brief check of the collected data is done. Back in the office the measurement data can be conveniently analysed with advanced algorithms.

This is particularly important as it enables Rainpower to provide customers with accurate and valuable information on how parameters such as the number of starts, stops and operation in different power ranges can affect the lifetime of the runner.

With the development of the Flight Recorder proving such a success, Rainpower AS hopes to undertake a further three to four tests later this year, both in Norway and Sweden.

As renewable energy sources continue to play an increasingly important role in the energy supply worldwide, HBK was delighted to be able to assist Rainpower AS on this project. Furthermore, as Rainpower AS continues to put more and more emphasis on the development of new turbines, HBK looks forward to continuing this relationship in the future.

Rainpower AS is a Norwegian company that develops, designs, manufactures and markets equipment for hydropower generation. Rainpower has more than 165 years of experience in the hydropower industry. With the help of HBK's equipment and experience, the company has been able to solve their problems in data acquisition of different physical quantities and sensor technologies.