Suitability of Pelton, Francis and Kaplan

turbines
In Pelton pure impulse force of the water jet is responsible for the rotation of the impeller.
Water stored at high altitude can produce high impose force due to its high velocity. So Pelton
turbines are suitable for operation when water energy is available at high head and low flow
rate.

Whereas Kaplan turbines are suitable for the reverse case. In Kaplan reaction force is produced
by airfoil action of the runner blades. A high water flow guarantees efficient production of
reaction force. So when water is available and high flow rate and low head, Kaplan turbine is
the best choice. Following is the operating condition preferable for Kaplan turbines.
 Head = 2-25 m
 Flow rate = 70-800 m3/s

Francis turbine comes in between for medium head to medium flow rate applications.
Following is the operating condition Francis turbine is suitable for.
 Head = 45-400 m
 Flow rate = 10-700 m3/s
Francis turbine is not a pure reaction turbine a portion the force comes from the impulse
action also. The specially curved impeller blades of Francis turbine extract energy from the
water via reaction and impulse action.

Turbine Selection graph

The following graph gives a clear idea about when to use which turbine depending upon the
available water head and flow rate. It is obvious that Francis turbine covers a wide range of
operating conditions or they can work efficiently under wide range of operating conditions.

Fig.5 Head verses Flow rate graph where each turbine is suitable for operation
This is why Francis turbine is the most preferred hydraulic turbine. The following graph shows
variation of turbine efficiency as a function of specific speed of the turbine. If you use a
turbine out if it's recommended operating range it will work but less efficiently.

Fig.6 Variation of each turbine efficiency as a function of the speicif speed

It is also interesting to note the direction a fluid flow with respect to the axis of rotation in
each case. In Pelton the jet flow is tangential to the axis of rotation. In Kaplan fluid flow
through the runner is axial in nature. While in Francis, fluid enters radially and leaves axially;
they are also referred as mixed flow turbines.

What is draft tube? working principle of draft tube in turbine

The draft tube is a conduit which connects the runner exit to the tail race where the water is
being finally discharged from the turbine. The primary function of the draft tube is to reduce
the velocity of the discharged water to minimize the loss of kinetic energy at the outlet.

 The primary purpose of the draft tube is to monitor the influx of water. 

 The draft tube converts a large portion of the kinetic energy rejected at the outlet of the turbine
into useful pressure energy. Without the draft tube the kinetic energy rejected at the outlet of the
turbine will go waste to the tail race.

 The draft tube prevents the splashing of water coming out of the runner and guides the water to
the tail race.

 It permits negative head to be established at the outlet of the runner and thereby increase the
net head on the turbine . 

 Reduce the velocity of the discharged water to minimize the loss of kinetic energy at the outlet.