Introduction

A water turbine is a rotary engine that takes energy from moving water. In
general, a turbine converts mechanical energy of fluid to shaft work. Water turbines were
developed in the 19th century and were widely used for industrial power prior to electrical
grids. Flowing water is directed on to the blades of a turbine runner, creating a force on the
blades. ince the runner is spinning, the force acts through a distance will create shaft work.
In this way, energy is transferred from the water flow to the turbine.
!here are the basic components in the water turbine system. First is intake shaft.
It is a tube that connects to the piping or penstock which brings the water into the turbine.
!hen is runner whereby a wheel which catches the water as it flows in causing the wheel to
turn. !hen, generator shaft whereby a steel shaft that connects the runner to the generator.
!hen, generator. It is a small electric generator that creates the electricity. !hen, exit valve. It
is a tube that returns the water to the stream it came from. "astly is powerhouse. It is a small
shed or enclosure to protect the water turbine and generator from the element.
Water turbines are divided into two groups# reaction turbines and impulse turbines.
Water turbines are also often classified as being either impulse turbines or reaction turbines.
In a reaction turbine the runners are fully immersed in water and are enclosed in a pressure
casing. !he runner blades are angled so that pressure differences across them create lift
forces, like those on aircraft wings, and the lift forces cause the runner to rotate. In an
impulse turbine the runner operates in air, and is turned by one or multiple $ets of water
which make contract with the blade. A no%%le converts the pressuri%ed low velocity water
into a high speed $et much like you might use with a garden hose no%%le. !he no%%le is
aligned so that it provides ma&imum force on the blades.
'eferences
( http://www.energybible.com/water_energy/water_turbines.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_turbine