Water Power: Building a Pelton Wheel

By C.D. Bassett
Published on March 1, 1972
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Example of a Pelton wheel that receives water through a pipe. While the penstock may be set up to provide either a precipitous or sloping fall, it should be of as large a diameter as possible, have minimum bends, and hold down flow friction to the least amount.
Example of a Pelton wheel that receives water through a pipe. While the penstock may be set up to provide either a precipitous or sloping fall, it should be of as large a diameter as possible, have minimum bends, and hold down flow friction to the least amount.
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This 25-ton Pelton wheel is designed for installation in a 30,000-hp. unit. It turns at 171 r.p.m. and has a 1,008' head.
This 25-ton Pelton wheel is designed for installation in a 30,000-hp. unit. It turns at 171 r.p.m. and has a 1,008' head.
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A 12
A 12" Pelton wheel with reducer and gatevalve throttle.

Though one of man’s oldest prime movers, a water wheel generator is
still a fascinating piece of machinery. Perhaps this is
because it appears comprehensible at a glance (although an
efficient wheel is actually a product of subtle and
inconspicuous design refinements), and because it seems to

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