1 Kathmandu University | First Anniversary Issue - 2012ku.edu.np/ttl/images/links/ku_magazine-final.pdf · 3 Kathmandu University | First Anniversary Issue - 2012 ... Kathmandu University

Kathmandu University | First Anniversary Issue - 20121


Kathmandu University

School of Engineering

Kathmandu University is an autonomous, not-for-profit, non-government institution dedicated to maintain high standards of academic excellence. It has envisioned becoming a world-class university devoted to bringing knowledge and technology to the service of mankind and is committed to develop leaders in professional areas through quality education.

KU has built a very good infrastructure and established a track record of academic excellence. At present, the university offers various undergraduate, graduate and post graduate programs in science, engineering, medicine, management, education, arts, pharmacy, environment, music, human &natural resources, information technology and biotechnology through six schools, namely School of Science, School of Engineering, School of Management, School of Engineering, School of Medical Sciences, School of Education and School of Arts. KU has produced more than ten thousand professionals in these areas through its constituent and affiliated programs. KU is proud to graduate almost 25% foreign students and inclusion of about 40% female students among graduates in the graduation of 2012.

School of Engineering at Kathmandu University was established in 1994 with the aim to produce quality engineers in the country. It started BE program in Mechanical, Computer and Electrical & Electronics Engineering from 1994 for the first time in the country. In 2007 new program in Geomatics Engineering was started in collaboration with Land Management Training Center, Ministry of Land Reforms and Management, Government of Nepal. KU completed Nepalese engineering education in 2009 by starting BE in Civil Engineering with specialization in Hydropower. Until 2010 SOE has graduated total of 1306 out of which 1226 in undergraduate level and 80 in graduate level.

School of Engineering of Kathmandu University is running its program within umbrella of the vision and mission of Kathmandu University together with six other schools.

School of Engineering compliments vision and mission of Kathmandu University. To be specific:“School of Engineering develops creative leaders equipped with the quality knowledge and skills to solve the complex engineering problems as well as innovative technologies and intellectual properties as a contribution to the society”

Undergraduate Program

• BE in Electrical & Electronic Engineering

(with specialization in Power-and-Control)

• BE Electrical and Electronic Engineering

(with specialization in Communication)

• BE in Mechanical Engineering

• BE in Computer Engineering

• BE in Geomatics Engineering

• BE in Civil Engineering (with specialization in Hydropower)

Graduate Program

• ME in Electrical Power Engineering

• ME in Communication Engineering

• ME in Mechanical Engineering

• ME in Computer Engineering

• Masters in Planning and Operation of Energy Systems

• MTech in Information Technology

• MS by Research

• PhD

Kathmandu University | First Anniversary Issue - 2012 4

Operation Management Committee (2011-2013)

Chairman Prof. Bhola Thapa, PhDDean, School of EngineeringProfessor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Member Secretary Mr. Biraj Singh ThapaAsst. Professor & Faculty-in-ChargeTurbine Testing LabDepartment of Mechanical Engineering

MemberMr. Bim Prasad Shrestha, PhDAssociate Professor &Head of Department Department of Mechanical Engineering

Member Mr. Kul Man GhisingManaging DirectorChilime Hydropower Company

Member Mr. Tri Ratna Bajracharya , PhDInstitute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University

The guidelines for the committee are:• Making annual budget for the lab and forward it to K.U.

• Delivering annual report and an unaudited annual account of the activities associated with the test rig.

• Ensuring that the test rig is maintained and developed according to international standards and advising

for larger investments that have to be made in order to maintain standard.

• Deciding what daily rates should be charged to different types of customers.

• Ensuring that the test rig has a balanced use between education and long term research on one hand and

commercial testing on the other hand.


Resource Persons at TTL

Faculties from Department of Mechanical Engineering

Research Assistants

Prof. Bhola Thapa, PhDDean, School of EngineeringProfessor, Department of Mechanical [email protected]

Sudip [email protected]

Nikhel [email protected]

Surendra [email protected]

Aatma Ram [email protected]

Mausam [email protected]

Dr. Hari Prasad Neopane, PhDAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Mechanical [email protected]

Mr. Biraj Singh ThapaAsst. Professor & Faculty-In-ChargeTurbine Testing LabDepartment of Mechanical [email protected]


PhD Candidates

Krishna Prasad [email protected]

Laxman [email protected]

MS by Research Students

Juben [email protected]

Amod [email protected]

ENPE Masters Thesis

Suman [email protected]

Bidhan Rajkarnikar [email protected]

Part Time Support Staff Part Time Working Student

Supriya Koirala (ENPE Masters Student)[email protected]

Bobby Basnet (BE Student)[email protected]

Interns

• Roshan Khadka

• Paritosh Lal Shrestha

• Nitish Shrestha

• Rojina Bade

• Ravi Koirala

• Gaurab Nakarmi


RenewableNepal Project at TTLDevelopment of Hydraulic Turbines with new Design Philosophy as a foundation for Turbine Manufacturing in Nepal.

Project Start date: August 2010Project Duration: 3 YearsFundind Source: NORAD/RenewableNepalTotal Fund: 476,000 NOK

Visit for the Progress review of the RenewableNepal Project


Model Test of Francis Turbine at TTL

The cross section view of the Francis runner which is being fabricated at Nepal Hydro & Electric (NHE). The runner was designed as a part of RenewableNepal Project.

The test rig which will be installed at TTL to test the new design concepts of Francis runner for minimizing sediment erosion.

DESIGN PARAMETERS REFERENCE TURBINE MODEL TURBINE

Head (H) 201.5 m 43 m

Discharge (Q) 2.35 m3/s 0.2277m3/s

Power (P) 4 MW 92 kW

Speed of the Runner (N) 1000 RPM 1000 RPM

Speed Number (Ω) 0.32 0.32

Specific Speed (Ns) 78 78

Runner Dimensions

Inlet Diameter (D1) 0.864 m 0.397m

Outlet Diameter (D2) 0.544m 0.250m

Inlet Height ( H1) 0.092m 0.04232m

Labyrinth Seal (DL) 0.556m 0.256m

Scale Factor (Sf) 1 0.46


Introduction of new technology – 3D Printing

Use of Rapid Prototyping Machine at TTL to make model of runner of the simplified Francis

Runner as a part of RenewableNepal Project.

This Rapid Prototyping Machine( 3D Printer) prints any sort of 3D model, stacking up layer

by layer of ABS material. It can print the models within in the size range of 250 mm x 290mm

x 320mm. It can work with an accuracy of 0.02mm. It can be especially used for producing

complicated models such as Francis runner blades, Pelton buckets, gears which are merely

impossible to create in other manual machines with such accuracy. It can also be used for

developing plastic models of different industrial products new to the existence for mass

production.


Spark Testing of Metal

Microstructure Specimens

Microstructure of Low Carbon Steel

Metallurgy Microscopy

Heat Treatment of SteelGrinding/Polishing Machine for preparation of microstructure specimen

Metallurgy Lab at TTLIdentification of material and its properties plays an important role in selection of suitable turbine material for manufacturing and maintenance. So, Turbine Testing Lab is also involved in conducting laboratory investigation of metallurgy of metals.

Heat Treatment of Steel

Microstructure Specimens

Microstructure of Low Carbon Steel


Feasibility Study for Turbine Manufacturing andTesting Facility in Nepal

Duration of the Project Start Date: 15th June, 2012

End Date: 30th December, 2012

Total Duration: 8.5 Months

Total Project BudgetNOK: 500 000

Funding Agency : NORAD

Project Objectives• Conduct market study and survey in the Himalayan region to identify the prospects and

challenges for hydropower development.

• Assist ongoing RenewableNepal Project activities at Kathmandu University by supporting

model tests verification of new design concepts at Turbine Testing Lab.

• Create background for facilitating future investments on the new turbine manufacturer

and new hydropower projects in Nepal.

Total Capacity = 965.15MWTotal Units = 42

Turbine type distribution in major power projects under operation or installation

Unit size distribution in hydro powers under construction

Unit size distribution in surveyed hydro powers projects


Technical Survey: Feasibility Study for Turbine Manufacturing and Testing Facility in Nepal

Use of Trinocular Stereo Zoom microscope for mineral analysis

Use of Rotating Disc Apparatus (RDA) to estimate erosion potential of

sediment samples

Sieve Analysis Curves illustrating Particle Size Distribution at different Sampling sites of Sunkoshi Hydropower Plant

Use of Sieves and Sieve shaker to identify Particle Size

Distribution

Mineral analysis results for different sampling sites of Sunkoshi Hydropower Plant

It was found that Quartz, Feldspar, Muscovite and Biotite are the most common sediment mineral with little amount of Tourmaline and Garnet. Also it was observed that the mineral composition changes with shift in sampling site.


Professor Karl Klingsheim, Managing Director and Erik Wold, Manager of Technology Transfer

Office (TTO) under Norwegian University of Science and Technology visited Turbine Testing

Lab from 5 to 9 of November 2012 for discussion on Business Incubation of NORAD project.

TTL will work in close cooperation with TTO to establish mutually agreeable framework

between potential partners for future investments.

Business Incubation


PhD Topic: Study on Sediment Characterization and its Impact on Hydraulic Turbine Material

Objectives:• Determine accurate way of characterizing sediment particles shape, size and mineral content with development and deployment of test facilities

• Determine direct impact of sediment parameters in turbine material surface

• Recommend new way of improvements in selecting site for hydropower

Laxman Poudel, PhD, Student Department of Mechanical EngineeringKathmandu UniversityDhulikhel, Kavre, [email protected] Mobile No: +977 9856023822

Progress: Completion Phase

Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa Dean, School of EngineeringKathmandu University

Associate Prof. Dr. Bim Prasad ShresthaHead of DepartmentDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringSchool Of EngineeringKathmandu University

Supervisors

Research Overview


Funding : EnPe Program, KU/NTNU

PhD Topic : Design and Fabrication of Francis Turbine for Large Sediment Load

Objective:To design and develop new Francis turbine with less erosion impact than traditional design.

Progress:CFD , FEM and FSI Simulation has been performed on R1 reference design.

Target:Optimization methodology along with CFD, FEM and FSI simulation to be performed on R2,R3,R4 and R5 reference design.

Krishna Prasad ShresthaPhD, Student Department of Mechanical EngineeringKathmandu UniversityDhulikhel, Kavre, NepalCorresponding address: [email protected] No: +977 9841266274

Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa School of EngineeringKathmandu University, Nepal

Deformation on runner (Vone Mess) Stress distribution on blade assembly

Stress distribution on runner Assembly

Prof. Dr. Ole Gunnar DahlhaugSchool Of EngineeringNTNU, Norway

Supervisors

Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) Simulation


Project Title: Failure Analysis of Root Cracks in Pelton Runner: A Case Study of Khimti Hydropower Plant

MS by Research CandidateAmod Panthee

DurationMay 2012 - May 2014

Project Fund (Himal Power Limited)NRs. 1 Million

Collaborating UniversityNorwegian University of Science and Technology

Prof. Bhola Thapa, PhDDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringKathmandu University

Assoc. Prof. Hari Prasad Neopane, PhDDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringKathmandu University

Progress:

Failure due to change in material properties during maintenance and reduction in fatigue

life due to erosion

Research Scope:

• Fatigue Analysis of Pelton Runner operated in sediment laden river (Khimti)

• Residual Stress Analysis of Pelton Runner during maintenance

Supervisor Co-supervisor

Signing of MOU between KU and HPL for research on failure of 12 MW

Pelton runner of Khimti HPP

3D surface model of Pelton bucket


International cooperation

Kathmandu University - TTL and Korea Maritime University signed MoU on 19 February 2012. The MoU aims in furtherance of their mutual interest in the field of education and research and as a contribution to increase international co-operation.

Future Cooperation:• Capacity building in Nepal for initiating Francis turbine design and manufacturing up to 500 kW

• Capacity building in Nepal for upgrading Cross-flow turbine design and manufacturing up to 500 Kw

• Cooperation in establishing PIV lab at TTL for R&D related to sediment flow investigation

Visit by Experts from Norwegian University of Science and Technology and DynaVec on 10 October 2012


Best Paper Award to Kathmandu University

Abstract:

Demand of clean energy has increased opportunities of hydropower development globally.

Basins under Himalayas are considered of much likely for hydro electricity generation. The

feasible hydropower potential in Nepal alone is 43,000 MW, out of which only less than

700 MW has been harnessed till the date. It is apparent that Nepal holds the future market

for hydropower developments. In 2010 AD, the Government of Nepal has also announced

its intentions to develop 38,000 MW of hydropower in next 25 years. Prefeasibility studies

have shown that more than 70% of sites in Nepal would need Francis type of turbine for the

power generation.

This paper summaries the opportunities and the challenges of hydropower developments

in Nepal. The history of activities and the associated achievements in R&D of hydro turbine

and sediment erosion at KU will also be briefed. Success of a collaborative research with a

manufacturing industry to find the solution for erosion of ring in Francis runner will also be

presented. Features of TTL and scope of its utilization will also be discussed. Beside these,

the progress of the ambitious project at TTL on design optimization of Francis turbine for

effective reduction in sediment erosion will also be elaborated.

TTL Members with Members of Flow Informatics Lab, Korea Maritime University, Busan, Korea


Visit by participants of training course on Condition Monitoring and Maintenance Planning of Francis Turbines/Part 2 - Nepal organized by International Centre of Hydropower (ICH) on 27 March 2012


Cooperation with Government Agency

Visit by personnel from Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) to Turbine Testing Lab

(TTL) on 7 November 2012. AEPC and TTL are working in close cooperation to establish

Cross Flow Turbine and Pelton Turbine Test rigs at TTL by July 2013. Testing standards and

testing procedures relevant to present context of Nepal will also be developed. It is expected

that the new test facilities and testing standards for micro hydro turbines in Nepal will help

to develop fair competition in market and will eventually increase turbine efficiency. This

project will also increase cooperation between university and manufacturers for capacity

building for upgrading micro hydro turbine design and manufacturing up to 999 kW. The

expected total project budget is approximately NRs 10 million.


Cooperation with Private Sector

Information Sharing Program to Nepal Micro Hydro Development Association regarding “Feasibility Study of Turbine Manufacturing and Testing Facility in Nepal” held on 15 August 2012 .


Visit of High Level Delegates

His Highness Haakon, Royal Crown Prince of Norway Visited TTL on 23 November 2011, and complemented continuous support from Norway for Hydropower development in Nepal. Norway has been continuously supporting Kathmandu University in various sectors.

Visit by Prof. John C. Badoux, Former President of ÉcolePolytechniqueFédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland on 3rd March 2012

Nepalese Ambassador to Korea, HE Kaman Singh Lama visited TTL on 6 July 2012. He acknowledged the initiation taken by Kathmandu University for hydropower development in Nepal. He assured for coordination for support and cooperation from the Korean Government and Universities to TTL.


Training and Retraining

Training on Project Management organized on 5 August 2012

A Five-day long Artengineering Workshop was concluded in Kathmandu University on 16 June 2012. School of Engineering - Turbine Testing Lab had organized this workshop in association with the Centre for Art and Design of School of Arts of Kathmandu University. 25 students from School of Engineering, 20 students from School of Arts, and 10 technicians from School of Engineering participated in this workshop. Mr. Tejesh Man Shakya, Mr. Kriti Man Shakya and Ms. Swosti Rajbhandari from Department of Art and Design, School of Arts were the instructor of this five day long program.

Collaboration with school of arts will be continued in future where engineering and arts can be placed on a common platform.

Wax Pattern Preparation

Breaking of the Shell

Wax Pattern

Rubber Mold for a section of 1kW Francis Runner

Attaching gates to the pattern for mold

preparation

Francis blades in the form of leaves

Pouring of molten aluminum to the mold

Pelton Bucket placed on hand


Journal Papers

1. Biraj Singh Thapa, Bhola Thapa, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, “Current research in hydraulic

turbines for handling sediment” Journal of Energy (2012), Vol.47, Issue 1.

2. Biraj Singh Thapa, Bhola Thapa, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug,” Empirical modeling of sediment

erosion in Francis turbines”, Journal of Energy (2012), Vol.4, Issue.1,386-391.

3. Biraj Singh Thapa, Amod Panthee, Bhola Thapa,” Computational methods in research

of hydraulic turbines in challenging enviroments”, International journal of Advanced

Renewable Energy Research (2012), Vol.1, Issue. 2, 1-4.

4. Hari Prasad Neopane, Bhola Thapa and Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, “Particle velocity

measurement in swirl flow, Laboratory studies”, Kathmandu University Journal of

Science (February 2012), Engineering and Technology, Volume 8, No. I, Nepal.

5. Hari Prasad Neopane, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Michel Cervantes, “The effect of sediment

characteristics for predicting erosion on Francis turbines blades”, The International

Journal on Hydropower & Dams (February 2012), Volume 19, Issue 1, Hydro & Dams in

Latin America, Francis Turbine Technology – Intake Gates.

6. Laxman Poudel, Bhola Thapa, Bhim Prasad Shrestha and Nabin Kumar Shrestha,

“Sediment Impact on Turbine Material: A Case study of Modi River, Nepal”, Kathmandu

University Journal of Sceince, Engineering and Technology Vol.8, No 1, February pp

88-96.


“Impact of Sand On Hydraulic Turbine Material: A Case Study of Roshi Khola, Nepal”,

Hydro Nepal Journal of Water Energy and Environment Vol 10, January 2012 pp60-65,

ISSN 1998-5452.


“Sediment Shape Characterization of Sand Particles, Using Digital Image Processing”,

International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology (IJERT), Paper Code

16704, Research India Publication.


Conference Papers1. Krishna Prasad Shrestha, Bhola Thapa, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Hari Prasad Neopane and Biraj

Singh Thapa, “Innovative Design of Francis Turbine for Sediment Laden Water”, International Conference on Technology & Innovation Management, Nepal, 10-12 October 2012

2. Biraj Singh Thapa, Mette Eltvik, Kristine Gjosoeter, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Bhola Thapa,”Optimizing runner blade profile of Francis Turbine to minimize sediment erosion”, 26th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems, China,19-23 August 2012.

3. Laxman Poudel, Bhola Thapa, Bim Prashad Shrestha, Biraj Singh Thapa, Krishna Prashad Shrestha, Nabin Kumar Shrestha,” Computational and experimental study of effects of sediment shape on erosion of hydraulic turbines”, 26th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems, China,19-23 August 2012.

4. Biraj Singh Thapa, Mette Eltvik, Kristine Gjosoeter, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Bhola Thapa,” Optimizing runner blade profile of Francis Turbine to minimize sediment erosion”, 26th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems ,China,19-23 August 2012.

5. Laxman Poudel, Bhola Thapa, Bim Prashad Shrestha, Biraj Singh Thapa, Krishna Prashad Shrestha, Nabin Kumar Shrestha, “Computational and experimental study of effects of sediment shape on erosion of hydraulic turbines”, 26th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems ,China,19-23 August 2012.

6. Bhola Thapa, Biraj Singh Thapa, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Krishna Prashad Shrestha, “Accelerated testing for resistance to sand erosion in hydraulic turbines”, Fourth International Conferece on water resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia, Thailand, 26-27 March 2012.

7. Biraj Singh Thapa, Mette Eltvik, Kristine Gjosoeter, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, “Design optimization of Francis runner for sediment handling”, Fourth international conference on Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia, Thailand, 26-27 March 2012.

8. Mette Eltvik, Biraj Singh Thapa, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug,” Numerical analysis of effect of design parameters and sediment erosion on a Francis runner”, Fourth international conference on Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia, Thailand, 26-27 March 2012.

9. Biraj Singh Thapa, Kristine Gjosoeter, Mette Eltvik, Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug, Bhola Thapa, “Effects of turbine design parameters on sediment erosion of Francis runner”, in Proc. of 2nd International Conference on the Developments in Renewable Energy Technology”, Bangladesh, 5-7 January 2012.

10. Hari Prasad Neopane, Surendra Sujakhu, Sanjay Shrestha, Khsitij Subedi, and Anil Basnet,”Study of Sediment erosion in Hydraulic Turbine Using Rotating Disc Apparatus (RDA)”, Second International Conference on the Developments in Renewable Energy Technology (ICDRET 2012) Conference proceedings,Bangladesh,5-7 January 2012.

11. Rajkarnikar B., Pyakurel P., and Neopane Hari P., “Present Status and Technical Challenges of Micro Hydropower Plants in Nepal”, Second International Conference on the Developments in Renewable Energy Technology (ICDRET 2012) Conference proceedings,Bangladesh,5-7 January 2012.


Financial ContributionsTotal USD 1.3 Million

NORAD

KU

Local HP Institute

Support in 2012• SN Power Nepal

• Nepal Investment Bank Limited

• IDS Energy Pvt. Ltd. Nepal

Contributing Agencies During Construction Phase (2010-2011)

• University Grant Commission

• NTNU/DynaVec

• Himal Power Limited

• Nepal Hydro & Electric Limited

• Munna & Acharya Constr. Co. P. Ltd.

• Chilime Hydropower company Limited

• Nepal Electricity Authority

• Sanima Hydropower Co. Ltd

• Nepal Eakrat Co. Pvt. Ltd

• Nepal Micro Hydro Association

• Centre for Energy Studies, IOE, TU

• People, Energy & Envn. Dev. Association

• Hydro Lab P. Ltd

• Butwal Power Company

• Hydro Consult P. Ltd

Total USD 1.3 Million


Performance Testing ofHydraulic Machines

Development of New Turbines

Education and Training

Applied Research to Solve Problems of Hydropower Industry

Specifications:

30 m Natural Head

150 m Pump Head

500 l/s Maximum Flow

300 kW Maximum Testing Capacity

300 m3 Lower Reservoir

100 m3 Upper Reservoir

5000 kg EOT Crane Capacity

Contact us for:

Turbine Testing LabKathmandu UniversitySchool Of Engineering

P.O.Box-6250Phone: +977-011-661399,661511

Fax: [email protected]

Documents

1 Kathmandu University | First Anniversary Issue - 2012ku.edu.np/ttl/images/links/ku_magazine-final.pdf · 3 Kathmandu University | First Anniversary Issue - 2012 ... Kathmandu University