TM 1

Unit –II: Impulse Water Turbines

Syllabus:

Introduction to Hydro power plant, classification of hydraulic turbines construction, principle of working,
velocity diagrams and analysis, design aspects, performance parameters, performance characteristics, specific
speed, selection of turbines, multi-jet Pelton wheel.

2.1 Hydro Electric Power Plant:

Figure shows layout of hydroelectric power plant which consist of:

• A dam constructed across the river to store the water.

• Penstock carries water under high pressure from the storage to the turbine house. Material of penstock
is may be steel or reinforced concrete.
• Hydraulic turbine with different types of vanes to the wheels.
• Tail race which discharge from turbine house to river end.

Figure 1 Hydro electric Power Plant

2.2 Classification of Hydraulic Turbine:

It is classified according to type of energy available at the inlet of turbine, direction of flow thorough the
vanes, head at the inlet of the turbine & specific speed of the turbine.

Following are important classification of hydraulic turbine:

1. According to type of energy available at the inlet of turbine:

a. Impulse turbine- The water entering the turbine possesses only kinetic energy. Example: Pelton,
Turgo wheel, Jonval Turbine, Girard Turbine.
b. Reaction turbine- The water entering the turbine possesses pressure as well as kinetic energy. .
Example: Francis Turbine, Kaplan Turbine, Thomson Turbine, Scotch Turbine.
2. According to direction of flow thorough the runner:
a. Tangential flow turbine: When the water flows tangential to the runner. Example: Pelton Turbine.
b. Radial flow turbine- the water moves along the vane towards (inward flow) the axis of rotation or
away (outward flow) from it.
Inward flow turbine- Francis, Thomson, Girard.
Outward flow turbine-Fourneyron turbine
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c. Axial flow turbine: when the water flows to the axis of rotation.
Example: Turgo wheel, Kaplan Turbine, Jonval Turbine
d. Mixed flow turbine: Francis Turbine.
3. According to head at the inlet of the turbine:
a. Low head turbine- 1 m to 70 m. Example: Kaplan Turbine
b. Medium head turbine- 40 m to 700 m. Example: Francis Turbine.
c. High head turbine- 400 m to 1600m, Example: Pelton Turbine
4. According to specific speed of the turbine:
a. Low specific speed turbine: 0 to 50. Example: Pelton Turbine
b. Medium specific speed turbine: 50 to 400. Example: Francis Turbine
c. High specific speed turbine: 400 to 800. Example: Kaplan Turbine

Figure 2 Pelton Turbine

Figure 3 Francis Turbine

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Figure 4 Kaplan Turbine

Figure 5 Turgo Wheel

Figure 6 Girard Turbine

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2.3 Pelton wheel or Turbine:

Introduction:

• It is a tangential flow turbine.

• The water strikes the bucket along the tangent of the runner.
• Energy available at inlet is only kinetic energy & high head.
• The pressure at inlet & outlet is atmospheric.

Main Parts:

a. Nozzle & flow regulating arrangement: The amount of water which strikes the bucket is controlled by
providing a spear in the nozzle. Spear is conical needle which is operated either by hand or
automatically. The forward motion of spear reduces the flow of water & vice versa.

Figure 7 Nozzle with a spear to control flow

b. Runner with buckets: It consists of circular disc on the periphery of which a number of buckets evenly
spaced are fixed. The shape of bucket is double hemispherical cup or bowl. Each bucket is divided
into two symmetrical parts by a dividing wall which is called as splitter.
Splitter divides water jets into two equal parts & water jet comes out at the outer edge of the bucket.
The design of bucket is such that the jet gets deflected through 160° to 170°. Material for bucket: Cast
iron, Cast steel bronze, stainless steel.

Figure 8 Runner of a Pelton Wheel

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c. Casing: The function of casing is to avoid the splashing of the water & discharge water to tail race.
Also act as safeguard against accidents. Material- Cast iron, fabricated steel plates.

Figure 9 Pelton Turbine

d. Breaking jet: To stop the runner in short time, a small nozzle is provided which directs the jet of water
on the back of the vanes. This jet of water is called as braking jet.

2.4 Velocity diagrams and work done analysis for Pelton Wheel:

Figure shows the shape of vane or bucket & section of it at Z-Z of the Pelton Wheel. The splitter is inlet tip &
outer edge of the bucket is the outlet tip of the bucket. The inlet velocity triangle is drawn at the splitter &
outlet velocity triangle is drawn at the outer edge of the bucket.

Figure 10 Shape of Bucket & Velocity Diagram

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Symbols used: Let,

d = Diameter of jet
L= Length of Penstock
D = Diameter of Wheel
𝐷∗ = 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑃𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑐𝑘
N = speed in RPM
H = Net head acting on the Pelton Wheel
= 𝐻𝑔 -ℎ𝑓
Head loss due to friction in penstock is given by following relation:
4𝑓𝐿𝑉 2
ℎ𝑓 = 2𝑔 𝐷 ∗

𝑉1 = √2𝑔𝐻 = Velocity of jet

𝜋𝐷𝑁
𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑢 = 𝑢1 =𝑢2 =
60
Inlet Velocity Triangle: As water jet strikes tangentially at inlet, inlet velocity triangle is straight line.
Here, 𝛼=0

𝜃=0

𝑉𝑟1 = 𝑉1 – 𝑢1

𝑉𝑤1 = 𝑉1
Outlet velocity triangle:
Here,
𝑉𝑟2 = 𝑉𝑟1
𝑉𝑤2 = 𝑉𝑟2 cos 𝜑 − 𝑢2
𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑒𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐹𝑥 = ρ a 𝑉1 (𝑉𝑤1 + 𝑉𝑤2 )

Work done by the jet on the runner per second = 𝐹𝑥 × 𝑢

W.D/Sec = ρ a 𝑉1 (𝑉𝑤1 + 𝑉𝑤2 ) × 𝑢 Nm/s

Power given to the runner by the jet in Kw = (ρ a 𝑉1 (𝑉𝑤1 + 𝑉𝑤2 ) × 𝑢)/1000

ρ a 𝑉1 (𝑉𝑤1 +𝑉𝑤2 )× 𝑢
Work done per unit weight of water striking /sec = ρ a 𝑉1 ×𝑔

(𝑉𝑤1 +𝑉𝑤2 )× 𝑢
Work done per unit weight of water striking /sec = 𝑔

𝑚𝑉12
Kinetic energy of jet per second = 2
ρ a 𝑉1 𝑉12
K.E/s = 2

Hydraulic efficiency = work done per second/K.E. of jet per second

ρ a 𝑉1 (𝑉𝑤1 +𝑉𝑤2 )× 𝑢
Hydraulic efficiency = ρ a 𝑉1 𝑉2
1
2
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2(𝑉𝑤1 +𝑉𝑤2 )× 𝑢
Hydraulic efficiency = 𝑉12

Relation for max efficiency of Pelton Turbine:

For Pelton turbine,

𝑉𝑟1 = 𝑉1 – 𝑢1 = 𝑉1 – 𝑢= 𝑉𝑟2

𝑽𝒘𝟏 = 𝑽𝟏

𝑉𝑤2 = 𝑉𝑟2 cos 𝜑 − 𝑢2

𝑽𝒘𝟐 = (𝑽𝟏 – 𝒖) 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋 − 𝒖

Put values of Vw1 & Vw2 in equation of Hydraulic efficiency

2(𝑽𝟏 +(𝑽𝟏 – 𝒖) 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋−𝒖 )× 𝑢
Hydraulic efficiency = 𝑉12
2(𝑽𝟏 − 𝑢 )+(𝑽𝟏 – 𝒖) 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋)× 𝑢
Hydraulic efficiency = 𝑉12

2(𝑽𝟏 − 𝑢 )(1+ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋)× 𝑢

Hydraulic efficiency = 𝑉12
Differentiate above equation w.r. to u for max efficiency & equate to zero, then,
𝑑 2(𝑽𝟏 − 𝑢 )(1+ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋)× 𝑢
{ } =0
𝑑𝑢 𝑉12
𝑑 (𝟐𝒖 𝑽𝟏 − 2𝑢² )
(1 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝝋) 𝑑𝑢 { } =0
𝑉12
2𝑣1 - 4u = 0
𝑣1
𝑢=
2
Put this value in the equation o hydraulic efficiency to get max hydraulic efficiency,
𝑣1 𝑣1
Maximum Hydraulic efficiency = {2(𝑣1 - )(1 +cos ∅) × }/𝑉12
2 2
(1 +cos ∅)
Maximum Hydraulic efficiency = 2

2.5 Design of Pelton Wheel:

The design process consists of determination of:

1. Diameter of jet(d)
2. Diameter of wheel(D)
3. Width of the buckets = 5d
4. Depth of the buckets = 1.2 d
5. Number of buckets
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2.6 Specific Speed:

It is defined as the speed of a turbine which is identical in shape, geometrical dimensions, blade angles, gate
opening, etc. with the actual turbine but of such a size that it will develop unit power when working under
unit head. Symbol is Ns.

The specific speed is used in comparing the different types of turbines as every type of turbine has different
specific speed.

Derivation of the specific speed:

Overall efficiency = Shaft power/ water power= P/(ρgQH/1000)

Where,

H= Head under which turbine is working

Q= Discharge through turbine

P= Power developed or shaft power

𝜌𝑔𝑄𝐻
From above equation, 𝑃 = × 𝑂𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓.
1000

𝑃 ∝𝑄𝐻

Now let,

𝐷 = 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑒

N = Speed of actual turbine in RPM,

u = Tangential velocity of turbine,

𝑁𝑠 = Specific speed of the turbine

V = Absolute velocity of the water

𝑢 ∝ 𝑣 ∝ √𝐻
𝜋𝐷𝑁
But 𝑢 = 60

𝑢 ∝ DN

√𝐻 ∝DN

√𝐻
D∝ 𝑁

Discharge through turbine, Q = Area x velocity

Area = B x D (Where B = width, B= D)

𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 ∝ 𝐷2
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𝑄 ∝ 𝐷2 × √𝐻

√𝐻
𝑄 ∝ { 𝑁 }2 × √𝐻

𝐻 3/2
𝑄 ∝
𝑁2
Put the value of Q in the equation of power,

𝐻 3/2
𝑃 ∝ ×𝐻
𝑁2

𝐻 5/2
𝑃 ∝
𝑁2

𝐻 5/2
𝑃=𝐾 2
𝑁
If P= 1, H= 1, then N = Ns, substituting these values in above equation,

15/2
1=𝐾
Ns2
𝑘 = 𝑁𝑠2

Put in the equation of power,

𝐻 5/2
𝑃 = 𝑁𝑠2
𝑁2
𝑁√𝑃
𝑁𝑠 = 𝐻 5/4

Significance of Specific speed:

It plays important role in selecting the type of turbine. The performance of the turbine is predicted by
knowing the specific speed of the turbine.

2.7 Unit Quantities:

It is used to predict the behaviour of the turbine working under varying conditions of head

The following are the three important unit quantities which must be studied under unit head:

1. Unit speed: It is defined as the speed of a turbine working under a unit head. It is denoted by Nu.

Let N = Speed of the turbine under a head H

H= Head

u = Tangential velocity
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2. Unit discharge: It is defined as the discharge passing through a turbine, which is working under unit
head. It is denoted by the symbol Qu . , speed, output & gate opening, the result are expressed in terms
of quantities.
Let, H= Head,
Q = Discharge passing through turbine when head is H on the turbine
a = Area of flow of the water

3. Unit Power: It is defined as the power developed by a turbine, working under a unit head. it is denoted
by Pu.
Let, H= Head,
Q = Discharge passing through turbine when head is H on the turbine
P= Power developed by the turbine under a head of H
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2.8 Characteristics curves of Hydraulic Turbines:

These are the curves, with the help of which exact behaviour & performance of the turbine under different
working conditions can be known.

These graphs are plotted from the results of the tests performed on the turbine under different working
conditions.

Parameters which varied during test are:

1. Speed(N)- Independent parameter

2. Head(H)- Independent parameter
3. Discharge(Q)- Independent parameter
4. Power(P)
5. Overall efficiency
6. Gate Opening

2.6.1 Main characteristics or constant head curves:

These curves are obtained by maintaining constant head & constant head opening on the turbine. The speed of
the turbine is by changing the load on the turbine.

For each value of the sped, the corresponding value of the power P & discharge Q are obtained.

Then overall efficiency for each value of the speed is calculated.

From these values, unit speed, unit power & unit discharge are determined.
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Figure 11 Main Characteristics of Pelton Wheel

2.6.2 Operating characteristic curve or constant speed curve:

Operating characteristics curve are plotted when the speed of the turbine is constant. For operating
characteristics N & H are constant & hence variation of power & efficiency with respect to discharge Q are
plotted.

Here power & efficiency curve are slightly away from the origin on the x –axis as to overcome initial friction
certain amount of discharge will be required.

Figure 12 Operating Characteristics Curves

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Numerical on Pelton Turbine:

1. A Pelton wheel has a mean bucket speed of 10 m/s with a jet of water flowing at the rate of 700 lit/s
under a head of 30 m. The buckets deflect the jet through an angle of 160°. Calculate the power given
by water to the runner & the hydraulic efficiency of the turbine. Assume coefficient of velocity as
0.98.
2. A Pelton Wheel is to be designed for the following specifications: Shaft Power = 11772 KW, head=
380 m, speed = 750 RPM, overall efficiency = 86 %, jet diameter is not to exceed one sixth of the
wheel diameter. Determine: 1. wheel diameter 2. Number of jets required 3. Diameter of the jet.
3. The penstocks supplies water from the reservoirs to the Pelton wheel with gross head of 500 m. one
third of the gross head is lost in friction in the penstock. The rate of the flow of water through the
nozzle fitted at the end of the penstock is 2.0 m3/s. The angle of the deflection of the jet is 165°.
Determine the power given by the water to the runner & also hydraulic efficiency of the pelton wheel.
Take speed ratio= 0.45 & Cv= 1.0
4. A pelton wheel is having a mean bucket diameter of 1m & is running at 1000 rpm. The net head on the
Pelton wheel is 700 m. if the side clearance angle is 15° & discharge through nozzle is 0.1 m3/s. Find:
Power available at the nozzle & hydraulic efficiency of the turbine.
5. A pelton wheel is working under a gross head of 400 m. the water is supplied through penstock of
diameter 1 m & length 4m from reservoir to the pelton wheel. The coefficient of friction for the
penstock is given as 0.008. The jet of water of diameter 150 mm strikes the buckets of the wheel &
gets deflected through an angle of 165°. The relative velocity of water at outlet is reduced by 15% due
to friction between inside surface of the bucket & water. if the velocity of the bucket is 0.45 times the
jet velocity at inlet & mechanical efficiency as 85 % determine:
1. Power given to the runner
2. Shaft power
3. Hydraulic efficiency & overall efficiency.