Power = 10000 kW

Efficiency = 90 %

Calculation of radius of jet when total head is 625 m

0.0722 m

Calculation of radius of wheel when total head is 625 m

Optimum R / r ratio = 9
0.65 m

Calculation of rotational speed when total head is 625 m

748.8

Calculations are tabulated in the table below. The results of the calculations confirms the limitation
of the Pelton wheel. At low heads, the machine required is huge. In this case what is needed to produce
10000 kW when the head is 5 m is a machine with a wheel radius of 24 m and a jet radius of about 3 m.
This machine is slow moving. Thus for low heads a machine of the type of Francis turbine is used.

Wheel Radius Jet Radius

Head (m) R = 9 x r (m) r (m) Speed (m/s)
625 0.65 0.072 749
256 1.27 0.141 479
81 3.01 0.334 270
16 10.15 1.128 120
5 24.28 2.698 67
 rpm

ms the limitation
s needed to produce
radius of about 3 m.
urbine is used.