GROUP MEMBER NAME ID CARD NO

1. YOHANES TILAHUN…………………………….4697/09
2. SHAMBEL NGUS……………………………./09
3. CHALACHEW ……………………………./09
4. DERSEGN ALEMNEH …………………………../09
5. TRUSEW……………………………./09
Hydraulic turbines

Classification of hydraulic turbine

Working Principle of Impulse

Turbine

Working Principle Reaction turbine

Advantages of Reaction turbine 

Disadvantages of Reaction turbine 

Advantages of Pelton turbine

Disadvantages of Pelton turbine

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Hydraulic turbines
Introduction
Hydro turbines are devices used in hydroelectric generation plants that
transfer the energy from moving water to a rotating shaft to generate
electricity. ... These turbines are essential in the area of hydropower -
the process of generating power from water. Generally, the construction
of turbines is the same.
 A row of blades is fitted to some rotating shaft or plate. Water is then passed through
the turbine over the blades, causing the inner shaft to rotate. This rotational motion is
then transferred to a generator where electricity is generated. There are a variety of
different types of turbines that are best used in different situations.Each type of turbine
is created to provide maximum output for the situation it is used in.
The type of turbine selected for any given hydropower project is based on the height
and speed of the incoming water - known as the hydraulic head - and the volume of
water that flows known as the hydroelectric discharge. Efficiency and cost are also
factors to be considered.

Classification of hydraulic turbine

hydro turbines are classified into 2 types-

1. Impulse type
2. Reaction type

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IMPULSE TURBINE

The impulse turbine generally uses the velocity of the water to move the
runner and discharges to atmospheric pressure. The water stream hits
each bucket on the runner. There is no suction on the down side of the
turbine, and the water flows out the bottom of the turbine housing after
hitting the runner. An impulse turbine is generally suitable for high head,
low flow applications.

Impulse turbines basically work on Newton’s 2nd law.

In impulse turbines, the number of elliptical half-sized buckets are fitted

instead of blades on the rotor hub. When water strikes the buckets at

high speed, the rotor starts rotating. In short, the kinetic energy of

water gets converted into rotational mechanical energy!

Thus electricity is generated when one end of the turbine shaft is

connected to the generator !

Working Principle of Impulse

Turbine
In these turbines, the static pressure inside the runner is constant, and the
turbine runner is at atmospheric pressure. The runner spins in the air, and the
fluid is sprayed to the blades through the nozzle to exchange energy with the
turbine. A jet nozzle or a series of nozzles directs the high-speed flow to the
blades, which are usually in the shape of buckets or cups. Therefore, only
pressure changes occur in the nozzles.

The application of the curved blades is to change the velocity of the flow. This
strike causes a change in momentum and based on the law of conversation of
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energy, a force is applied to the turbine blades. According to Newton’s second
law of motion, the force obtained through the motion of a fluid depends on two
factors: the mass of the fluid entering the turbine and the changes in fluid
velocity between the turbine inlet and outlet. Since no change in fluid mass
occurs, only velocity changes are taken into account in calculating the force
applied to the runner.

Thus, in the power generation process in impulse turbines, the following steps
are implemented.

 The stored water flows from a source upstream through Penstock to be

delivered to the nozzle.
 The potential energy of the water inside the nozzle is converted into kinetic
energy and injected into the blades or buckets; thus, the runner spins.
 There is a mechanism to control the flow of water injected into the runner.
The spear usually plays an important role in this process.
 The generator attached to the shaft converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.

Fig.1

Schematic operation of an Impulse turbine (Reference: alternative-energy-

tutorials.com)

Impulse turbines have the ability to take all the kinetic energy from the water for
high efficiency. Water is discharged into the atmosphere from the bottom of the
turbine housing after reaching the runner; therefore, there is no suction at the
bottom of the turbine. Here you can see schematically how an impulse turbine

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works in the process of extracting power from the kinetic energy of water as well
as its components.

Impulse Turbine Types

Water turbines that are mostly used in hydropower plants are:

Pelton
Pelton turbine consists of three main parts: nozzle, runner, and deflector.

This turbine is used for high water drop heights. The water head is converted to
high-speed flow by one or more nozzles (up to 6). Water flow and, consequently,
the power of the turbine are controlled by the spear by regulating the water flow
quantity.

A series of buckets are installed symmetrically around the cylindrical runner of

the turbine. The special shape of these buckets causes the water jet to hit the
center of the bucket (splitter) and comes out from both sides. This exit is such
that the water coming out of the bucket does not hit the next one and does not
lead to brake. The axis of the turbine wheel can be placed horizontally or
vertically. For high powers and a higher number of nozzles, the shaft is always
vertical, and the generator is installed above the turbine.

The deflector is located between the runner and the nozzle, and its task is to
prevent water from spraying from the nozzle to the buckets when the load is
suddenly removed from the turbine, and its rotational speed is increased. Then,
gradually with the help of a spear, the flow of water stops. It is also worth
mentioning that due to the possibility of the occurrence of the water hammer
phenomenon, the water velocity in the nozzle cannot be reduced quickly, and the
discharge can be cut off.

The figure following shows a schematic of the Pelton turbine and other
components related to the operation.

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Fig.2 A schematic view of a Pelton turbine (Reference: image.slidesharecdn.com)

REACTION TURBINE

A reaction turbine develops power from the combined action of pressure and
moving water. The runner is placed directly in the water stream flowing over
the blades rather than striking each individually. Reaction turbines are
generally used for sites with lower head and higher flows than compared
with the impulse turbines.

Working Principle Reaction turbine

Fig .3

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The working of the reaction turbine can be well understand by taking a rotor having moving
nozzles and water of high pressure is coming out of the nozzle. As the water leaves the nozzle,
a reaction force is experienced by the nozzle. This reaction force rotates the rotor at very high
speed.

In the same way in reaction turbine, a reaction force is generated by the fluid moving on the
runner blades. The reaction force produced on the runner blades makes the runner to rotate.
Fluid after moving over the runner blades enters into draft tube and finally to the trail race.

KAPLAN

Both the blades and the wicket gates are adjustable, allowing for a wider range of
operation.

Fig.4 Kaplan turbine

Francis

The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine that was developed by James B. Francis. It is
an inward flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts.

It is the most commonly used type of hydro turbine is classified as a reaction mixed

flow turbine. Hydro turbines are devices used in hydroelectric generation plants that transfer
the energy from moving water to a rotating shaft to generate electricity

A Francis turbine has a runner with fixed buckets (vanes), usually nine or more. Water is
introduced just above the runner and all around it and then falls through, causing it to spin.
Besides the runner, the other major components are the scroll case, wicket gates, and draft
tube.

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Fig.5 Francis turbine

Propeller

A propeller turbine generally has a runner with three to six blades in which the water
contacts all of the blades constantly. Picture a boat propeller running in a pipe. Through the
pipe, the pressure is constant; if it isn't, the runner would be out of balance. The pitch of
the blades may be fixed or adjustable. The major components besides the runner are a
scroll case, wicket gates, and a draft tube. There are several different types of propeller
turbines:

Fig.6 Propeller turbine

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Advantages of Reaction turbine  

Advantages of Reaction turbine over  Impulse turbine is discussed as below 

1. High rotation speed

Reaction turbine working speed is higher than Impulse turbine because in Reaction turbine used pressure and
kinetic energy.

2. High efficiency
Hydraulic efficiency of Reaction turbine is higher than the Impulse turbine is main advantages of
Reaction turbine over Impulse turbine 

 
3. Both pressure and kinetic energy at inlet
In Reaction turbine both pressure and kinetic energy is used. In Reaction turbine not pressure energy is fully
convert into hydraulic energy before water enters in turbine. 

4. High blade efficiency

Blade efficiency of Reaction turbine blades is very high than Impulse turbine 

5. Oil free exhaust system

In Reaction turbine oil free exhaust system so no oiling problem in Reaction turbine. 

6. High temperature and pressure used

In Reaction  turbine high pressure and temperature purposes also used so this turbine efficiency is also high. 

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Disadvantages of Reaction turbine  

(area).

2. Blade tip wear

In Reaction turbine blade tip wear problem is more. So maintenance cost is increased in Reaction turbine.

3. Blade is not symmetric

In Reaction turbine used blade is not symmetric so produce power is also not constant.

4. Generate thrust force

Generate opposite thrust force

5. Cavitation problem
In Reaction turbine inlet and outlet pressure is change so cavitation is occurs in Reaction turbine so
maintenance cost is  increased in Reaction turbine

6. Casing is airtight
In Reaction turbine casing is fully airtight required but Impulse turbine not this problem.

Advantages of Pelton turbine

1. It has simple construction
2. It is east to maintain
3. Intake and exhaust of water takes place at atmospheric pressure hence no draft tube is
required
4. No cavitation problem
5. Its overall efficiency is high
6. It can be both axial and radial flow
7. It can work on low discharge

Disadvantages of Pelton turbine

1. It requires high head for operation
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 2. Turbine size is generally large
3. Its efficiency decreases quickly with time
4. Due to high head it is very difficult to control variations in operating head

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