Lecture on

Francis Turbine

by
Dr. Shibayan Sarkar
Department of Mechanical Engg
Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad
Turbines: Francis (1849) di , Qo

Ri ɵ

Ra

Spiral
casing

Stay ring

π θ
Qo = vi di2 R= Ri + di
4 2π
a

vi = K v 2 gH θ
Q= Qo
2π
Draft Tube:
Static pressure (P/γ+Z) gradually decreases when water glides over the runner blades. Water
coming out of the runner posses large amount of Kinetic energy and pressure at runner outlet,
which is less than atmospheric pressure.
(1) It makes possible to install the turbine above tail race without loss of head
(2) The pressure at the exit of the draft tube is atmospheric.
(3) Avoid cavitation, arrest separation of water.

Apply Bernouli’s theory at runner exit (2) and exit of draft tube (4) Entry at
runner /exit
P2 v22 P4 v42 hf = head loss ……..eq (1)
+ + Z2 = + + Z 4 + hf from guide Exit from
γ 2g γ 2g through draft tube vane (1) runner (2)
Apply Bernouli’s theory at free surface (3) and exit of draft tube (4)

P3 v32 P4 v42
+ + Z3 = + + Z4 Same, as ……..eq (2)
γ 2g γ 2g difference
Z2
hs Air
is negligible Patm
P4 P3
= + (Z3 − Z 4 ) ……..eq (3) Z3
γ γ Z4
Datum
Replacing the above value to eq (1)
P2 P3  v22 v42 
= − (Z 2 − Z3 ) −  − − hf  ……..eq (4)
γ γ  2g 2g 
P2 P3  v22 v42 
= −  hs + − − hf  ……..eq (5)
γ γ  2g 2g 
Static suction dynamic suction
head head
Draft Tube:
(4) Static pressure (P/γ+Z) at runner outlet (at the level of 2) is less than atmospheric pressure by
an amount equal to the static and dynamic suction head. V22/2g
(5) Velocity of water at outlet of runner is very high (3-15% of net working head, for high specific
speed it is 45% in case of kaplan turbine), by employing draft tube recovers this wasted KE is
utilized which increases efficiency of the turbine.
(6) Prevent splashes of water coming out of the runner .
Efficiency of the draft tube is expressed as
D
(V22 − V42 )
− hf
2g
ηdt =
Above tail
race level
2.5 to 3D V22
4º
Below Tail
2g
race level actual conversion of Kinetic Head
0.5 to 1D
into Pressure Head
=
Kinetic Head at inlet
Length minimum of the draft tube
Prevent possibility
of flow separation Increase area of water exit, and less Sometimes friction loss is
ηdt=90%, angle increase whirling action, suit excavation, head expressed as
less than 8º for helical flow, ηdt=85% loss at bend,
ηdt=60% (V22 − V42 )
hf = k , k = const
2g
less excavation,
head loss at bend,
ηdt=85%
Governing Mechanism
 Velocity Diagram Runners are classified according to the speed,
v1= velocity of fluid at
as per their shape and velocity triangle
inlet
u1
u1
Degree of Reaction (R) u1= velocity of the vane at
inlet
V1
Vr1
V1
Vr1
change in pressure energy vr1 = relative velocity of
fluid at inlet
inside the runner (Hpr) α = angle between the
= direction of the fluid and
Vr2 Vr2 V2 change in total energy the direction of motion of
V2

u2 u2 inside the runner (He) the vane, guide blade angle

vw1 = velocity of whirl at
u1 inlet
Slow runner Medium runner Guide vane θ = angle made by vr1 with
α direction of motion at
V 2
V   u −u 
2 2 2
Vr1 inlet, vane angle at inlet
Hpr =  r 2 − +
r1

1 2
vf1 v1= velocity of fluid at
u1
 2 2   2  v1 outlet
Vr1
vw1 vf1 = velocity of flow at
V1
inlet
θ vw2 = velocity of whirl at
outlet
V2 vf2 = velocity of flow at
Vr2
outlet
u2 β = angle between v2 with
Rotation the direction of motion of
Fast runner D1/2 vane at outlet
ϕ = angle made by vr2 with
 V12 V2 2   Vr 2 2 Vr12   u12 − u22  direction of motion of vane
He =  − + − + 
at outlet, vane angle at
outlet
 2 2   2 2   2  v2
Relationship: Vr2 = Vr1
2
Vr 2 V  u −u 
2 2 2 β vf2 φ
= +r1

2 1 Centrifugal
2 2  2  head (CFH) vw2 u2
Outward flow: u2>u1, CFH +ve , Vr2 increases at outlet D2/2
Inward flow: u1>u2, CFH -ve , Vr2 decreases at outlet
Francis Turbine Equations b2
Working Proportions: D2
(1) Ratio to width to diameter (n’)= b1/D1 = 0.1 to 0.45, for t1
slow runner flow is predominantly radial and exit is
axial b1
(2) Speed ratio (Ku) = u1 / 2 gH = 0.6 to 0.9
(3) Flow ratio (kf) = V f 1 / 2 gH = 0.15 to 0.30
(4) Coeff of velocity (kv)= V1 / 2 gH = 0.97 to 0.99
Design Parameters: Head (H) , running speed (N), Power
u1
D1 Vr1
output (P) is required size of the runner and its vane α
angle is to be find out. Key Term:
Without whirl  Vw=0 vf1
(1) Assume probable value of ηh, ηo, n’ and ratios (Ku, kf, v
Negligible blade thickness1 K =K2=1
kv) Radial inlet  θ=90º
v1w1
Radial exit  β=90º; V2=Vf2
(2) Workout the mass or volumetric flow rate, where shaft θNo blade friction  Vr1=Vr2
power P = ηo γQH
(3) Flow opening area A1= πD1b1-Zt1b1, =πD1b1K1 where Z is number of blades, t1 is thickness of
runner at inlet, b1 = width of the runner at inlet, and K1 is vane thickness coeff = approx 0.95
(4) Flow velocity Vf1= Q/ πD1b1K1 , by continuity equation Q= Rotation
πD1b1K1 Vf1 = πD2b2K2 Vf2
(5) u1=πDN/60
= ρ Q(Vw1u1 ± Vw2 u2 ) ,
(6) Work done by turbomachine
(7) Hydraulic Efficiency (ηh) assuming radial exit = Vw1u1/gH [Vw2 is zero] v2
Vr2 = Vr1
β vheadφat exit
(8) Head supplied to turbine = Work Done or head utilized at runner + Kinetic
f2
Hi= p1/ρg+V12/2g
ρ Q(Vw1u1 ± Vw2 u2 ) V22 v u2
Ht + again gross head H= H t + ∑ hl whereas for pump H=
w2
H g − ∑ hl
ρ gQ 2g g p