UNIT - IV

HYDRAULIC TURBINES
Layout of a typical Hydropower installation –
Heads and efficiencies-classification of turbines- Pelton wheel
Francis turbine-
Kaplan turbine-working, working proportions, velocity diagram, work done and efficiency,
hydraulic design, draft tube – theory and function efficiency.
Governing of turbines-surge tanks-unit and specific turbines-unit speed-unit quantity-unit
power-specific speed performance characteristics-geometric similarity-cavitation .
Dr. G.K. Viswanadh
Professor of Civil Engineering and
Director, UGC-HRDC JNTUH

7/16/2021 Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC HRDC , JNTUH 1
 Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
7/16/2021 2
HRDC JNTUH
 Shape of Francis Turbine Runner – Development of Kaplan Turbine

• A Francis turbine runner of given diameter, when requires to

develop a certain power P, under a low head should be so
designed that it admits comparatively large quantity of water.
• P = 0 ϒQH; P  QH
• Power developed is proportional to the product of discharge
and head.
• Q = kDBVf
• = knD2 2𝑔𝐻 Depends on n and 
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 • This can be done by increasing flow ratio  or the breadth ratio n =
B/D
• Increase in  gives higher value of Vf
• results in excessive losses
• as such  can not be increased to any amount
• Increase in n → will result in increase in value of B
• results in large inlet area
• large inlet area should be accompanied by large outlet area for all the
water to escape freely.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 4
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Large outlet area may be obtained by making discharge axial
As the head for the turbine is reduced – discharge is increased.
The runner size considerably increases.
Also the shape of the runner has to be such that the flow is more
and more axial right from the entrance to the turbine.
→ Quantity of water at inlet increases
• If head is less discharge should be more.
• For low heads Francis turbine is inadequate to allow more water to
pass over the blades because their passages are small.
• Thus the necessity of allowing more water over the blades can be
met by providing purely axial flow runner.
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
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 Axial flow turbines:
• Following are the two types of axial flow reaction turbines.
• Propeller Turbine
• Kaplan Turbine
• The flow in this type of turbines is parallel to the axis of rotation of
the shaft.
• For axial flow turbines, The runner is horizontal and the shaft is
vertical.
• Axial flow reaction turbines are suitable for low heads and large
quantities of water.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

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 Kaplan turbine
• Axial flow turbine, suitable for relatively low heads hence
requires large quantity of water to develop large amount of
power.
• It is a reaction type of turbine and hence it operates entirely in
closed conduit from headrace to tailrace.
• The runner has vanes attached to hub or boss and are
mounted in such a way that their angle  and  can be
adjusted while the turbine is in motion.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 7
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• These blades are usually adjusted automatically by means of
Servomotor governing.
• With the change of angle of the runner blade at varying load
conditions, quantity of water passing through the blades also
changes to suit the varying load conditions.
• This type of turbine has a specialty that it gives good
efficiency even at different load conditions and water flows
over the blades without shock.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 8
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• Water enters and leaves axially.
• This type of turbine is suitable for head ranging from 3 m from
30 m and have speeds form 60 – 220 rpm.
• Main components are similar to Francis Turbine.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

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 𝜋 2
• Discharge through Kaplan Turbine Q = 4
𝐷 − 𝑑 2 𝑉𝑓

• D is runner outside diameter

• d is hub or boss diameter
working proportions
𝑢
• speed ratio = 2𝑔𝐻 = 2.09
𝑉𝑓
Flow ratio = 2𝑔𝐻
= 0.69
• Diameter ratio = d/D = 0.35 to 0.60

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 10
HRDC JNTUH
 Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
7/16/2021 11
HRDC JNTUH
 KEPLAN TURBINE

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7/16/2021 12
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 Hub and Rotor blades
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• Scroll casing, stay casing, guide vanes and draft tube and
similar to these of Francis turbine.
• The blades are so shaped that the water flows axially through
the runner.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 14
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 Propeller Turbine
It is similar to Kaplan turbine in all respects except that the
blades are not adjustable.
Since the blades are not adjustable, its part load efficiency is
very low where as in kaplan turbine, the vanes are adjustable
and hence the efficiency is high even under part load.
This defect is overcome in Kaplan turbine, but the Kaplan
turbine is more costly than Propeller turbine.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 15
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 The Propeller turbine can be employed economically when it
has to work constantly under full load.
The flow passages of Propellor and Kaplan operate with high
velocities, therefore, Cavitation is likely to occur.

It is due to Cavitation that the maximum permissible head of

such a turbine is restricted.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

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Problem : A Kaplan turbine produced 5968 kw under head of 25m
with an efficiency of 90% taking ratio Ψ=0.5 and the hub diameter d=
0.35 times D speed ratio ku = 1.6. Find the dia and speed of the
turbine.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 17
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 𝑃 5968
𝜂0 = = 0.90 =
γ𝑄𝐻 9.81 × 𝑄 × 25
𝑄 = 266.62𝑚3/𝑠
𝜋 2
𝑄 = 𝐷 − 𝑑 2 𝜓 2𝑔𝐻
4
𝜋 2
266.67 = 𝐷 − (0.35𝐷)2 × 0.5 2 × 9.81 × 25
4
𝐷 = 5.91𝑚
𝑢 = 𝑘𝑢 2𝑔𝐻
= 1.6 × 2 × 9.81 × 25 = 35.44𝑚

𝜋𝐷𝑁 𝜋 × 5.91 × 𝑁
𝑢= 𝑜𝑟 35.44 =
60 60
𝑁 = 114 𝑟𝑝𝑚
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
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 Draft tube
• Draft tube is a tube or pipe which connects the outlet of
reaction turbine with tail race.

• This tube is made up of either riveted steel plate or cement

concrete.
• Its cross section area increases gradually towards the outlet.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 19
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 Draft tube

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 Functions:
• Draft tubes are required to perform the following two main
functions.
i) If water is discharged freely from the runner then turbine will
work under head equal to height of head race water level above
the runner outlet.
• But by providing an airtight draft tube, which connects runner
with tail race, it is made possible to establish a negative head
at the outlet by an amount equal to the height of the runner
outlet above tail race.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 21
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• ii) When water leaves the runner, it possesses high velocity
and thus kinetic energy of turbine is lost, if it discharges freely.
• By using draft tube of increasing cross sectional area; the
velocity is largely reduced at exit.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 22
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 Efficiency of a Draft tube
• Gradually increasing cross section of draft tube helps to
convert a portion of velocity head to pressure head which is
𝑉1 2 − 𝑉2 2
equal to 2𝑔

• Where V1 = absolute velocity of water at tube entrance

• V2 = absolute velocity of water at tube exit
• Frictional losses = hf

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 23
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 𝑉1 2 − 𝑉2 2
• Actual regain of pressure head = 2𝑔
− ℎ𝑓

• Efficiency of draft tube

d = Actual regain of pressure head / Velocity head of entrance.
•
𝑉1 2 − 𝑉2 2
− ℎ𝑓
• d =
2𝑔
𝑉12
2𝑔

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 24
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 Draft tube theory
• Gradually increasing cross sectional area of draft tube converts
a major portion of kinetic head into pressure head as the water
approaches the tail race. This fact will be more clear from the
following derivation.

• Points 1 and 2 are considered at runner exit and outlet of tube

respectively,

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 25
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 1

2
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 Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
7/16/2021 27
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• Applying Bernoulli’s theorem
𝑝1 𝑉1 2 𝑝2 𝑉2 2
+ + 𝑧1 = + + 𝑧2 + ℎ𝑓
𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔

𝑝1 𝑝2 𝑉1 2 𝑉2 2
+ 𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = − − + ℎ𝑓
𝛾 𝛾 2𝑔 2𝑔

𝑝2 𝑝𝑎
= +ℎ
• since 𝛾 𝛾

𝑝1 𝑝𝑎 𝑉1 2 − 𝑉2 2
+ 𝐻𝑠 + ℎ = +ℎ− + ℎ𝑓
𝛾 𝛾 2𝑔

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 28
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 𝑝1 𝑝𝑎 𝑉1 2 − 𝑉2 2
= − + 𝐻𝑠 + ℎ𝑓
𝛾 𝛾 2𝑔

This shows that pressure at entrance is less than atmospheric

pressure and thus at this point vacuum pressure is there. In
other words,
Pressure head at entrance of draft tube = Atmospheric
pressure -
[Converted kinetic head + height of draft tube above tail race
level] + frictional losses

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 29
HRDC JNTUH
 Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
7/16/2021 30
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 Problem (Draft tube)
A straight divergent Draft tube of a Francis turbine has the
following data.
• Vel. of water at tube entrance = 4.5 m/s.
• Dia. of tube at upper point = 0.4 m.
• Dia. of tube at lower point = 0.6 m.
• Length of tube = 5m

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 31
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• Length of tube immersed in tailrace = 1m.
• Loss of head due to friction = 0.2 m of water.
• Find
1) Pressure head at tube entrance
2) Efficiency of Draft tube.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 32
HRDC JNTUH
Solution:
• V1 = 4.5 m/s Length of tube = 5m
• D1 = o.4 m h = 1m
• D2 = 0.6 m hf = 0.2 m
• Pressure head at entrance
𝑝1 𝑝𝑎
𝑉12 − 𝑉22
• 𝛾 = 𝛾 - 2𝑔
+ 𝐻𝑆

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 33
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 3.14
𝑄 = 𝑎1 𝑉1 = 0.4 2 × 4.5
4
𝑄 𝑄
𝑉2 = = = 2𝑚/𝑠
𝐴2 3.14 2
4 (0.6)

𝑉12 − 𝑉22 4. 52 − 22
• change in kinetic head = 2𝑔 = 19.62

• = 0.83m of Water.
𝐻𝑆 = 5 − 1 = 4𝑚

𝑝1
∴ = 10.32 − 0.83 + 4 + 0.2
𝛾

𝑝1 𝑝𝑎
𝑜𝑟 = − 4.63
𝛾 𝛾
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
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• = 4.63 m of vacuum head Atm. Level.
=10.32 – 4.63
=5.67 m of water.Abs Vacuum head

• Efficiency of draft tube

Actual regain of pressure head
• d =
Vel. Head at entrance

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 35
HRDC JNTUH
 𝑉12 − 𝑉22
− ℎ𝑓
• d = 2𝑔

𝑉12
2𝑔

0.83 − 0.2
= 0.61
4. 52
19.62

d = 61%

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 36
HRDC JNTUH
 Problem
• A Kaplan turbine developing 1472kw under a head of 8m has a
draft tube with inlet diameter 2m is placed 1.5m above tail
water. The vacuum gage provided at the inlet of tubes reads 4n
of water, determine the efficiency of turbine. Assume d=83%

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 37
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Solution:
• P = 1472kw
• H = 8m
• D1=2m
• HS=1.5m of vacuum
• Neglecting friction losses in draft tube,

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

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 •
𝑝1 𝑝𝑎 (𝑉12 − 𝑉22 )
• 𝛾
=
𝛾
−
2𝑔
+ 𝐻𝑆 m of water

• m of water
𝑝1 (𝑉12 − 𝑉22 )
=− + 𝐻𝑆
𝛾 2𝑔

(𝑉12 − 𝑉22 )
− + 1.5
• -4= 2𝑔
•
𝑉12 − 𝑉22
• 2𝑔
= 2.5

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

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• d = 𝑉12 − 𝑉22 𝑉12 2.5
= 2
2𝑔 2𝑔 𝑉1
2𝑔

•
2.5 𝑉12
• 0.83 = 𝑉12 2𝑔
=3
2𝑔

•
• v1=7.67m/s
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
7/16/2021 40
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 Discharge through turbine

Q = a 1v 1
= (22 x 7.67) = 24 m3/s

𝑃
Efficiency of turbine = 𝛾𝑄𝐻
1472
=
9.81x24x8

=78.3%

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 41
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 Problem
A Kaplan turbine developing 736kw under a head of 10m has
3m suction head at turbine outlet. The turbine is installed 2m
above the tail race. If the inlet dia of tube is 1.5m and turbine
efficiency 80% calculate the efficiency of draft tube.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 42
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Solution:
• Power P = 736kW Head H = 10m
𝑝1
• 𝛾 = 3m D1=1.5m
• HS=2m 0=80%
• d=?
0=
736
• 𝑃 = 9.81 × 𝑄 × 10
𝛾𝑄𝐻
• Q=9.38cumecs

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 43
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Velocity at tube entrance Q = a1v1
𝑄 9.38
v1= 𝑎1 = Λ 2
4 (1.5)

=5.3m/s
Now
𝑝1 𝑃𝑎 (𝑉12 − 𝑉22 )
− + 𝐻𝑆
𝛾 = 𝛾 2𝑔 +hf
Neglect friction losses

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 44
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 𝑝1
𝑃𝑎 (𝑉12 − 𝑉22 )
𝛾 = 𝛾
−
2𝑔
+ 𝐻𝑆

or
𝑝1 (𝑉12 − 𝑉22 )
𝛾 = 2𝑔
+ 𝐻𝑆
+ m of vacuum

𝑉12 − 𝑉22
3=2+
2𝑔

𝑉12 − 𝑉22
= 1𝑚𝑜𝑓𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
2𝑔
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
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Efficiency
d= Actual gain of Pr. head
Vel. head at entrance
𝑉12 − 𝑉22
2𝑔

= 𝑉12
2𝑔

1
= = 70%
(5.3)2
19.62
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
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 Problem
A straight conical draft tube, of a Francis turbine has dia.
at entrance as 2m and at outlet as 4m. The vel. of water at
entrance is 5 m/s and turbine is installed 4m above
tailrace. Assuming the friction head loss equal to 0.2 times
vel. head at tube entrance estimate.
Pressures head at tube entrance.
Power of water at runner outlet.
Power lost in tube due to friction.
Power at end of draft tube.
Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC
7/16/2021 47
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Solution:
• D1 = 2m V1 = 5m/s
• D2 = 4m Hs = 4m
𝑝1
• ℎ𝑓 = 0.2
𝑉12 𝛾
=?
2𝑔

• Pressure head at entrance:

𝑝1 𝑝𝑎 𝑉1 − 𝑉22
2
− + 𝐻𝑆 + ℎ𝑓
• 𝛾 = 𝛾 2𝑔

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 48
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Q = a1v1 = a2v2
a1 = (2)2 = 3.14m2

a2 = (4)2 = 12.56m2
Q = a1v1 = 3.14 x 5 = 15.7m3/s
𝑄 15.7
= = 1.25𝑚/𝑠
V2= 𝑎2 12.56

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7/16/2021 49
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 𝑝1
= 𝑝𝑎 52 − 1.252 52
𝛾 − 4+ + 0.2 ×
𝛾 19.62 19.62

𝑝𝑎
− 4.25 m of water abs.
𝛾

or 4.95m of vacuum of water.

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 50
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ii)Power at runner outlet:
𝑝1
Total head at the tube entrance (i.e. of runner) 𝛾 +
𝑣12
2𝑔 + z1

25
+4
= - 4.95 + 19.62

=0.32m

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 51
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Discharge through the tube
Q = 15.70m3/s
Power at outlet of runner
QH= 9.81 x 15.7 x 0.32
=49.28kw

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 52
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Power at the end of Draft tube 2
𝑉22 1.25
= = 0.08𝑚
Total head at end of draft tube 2𝑔 19.62

𝛾𝑄𝐻
power = = 9.81 × 15.7 × 0.08 =− −𝑘𝑤

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 53
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Power head lost in draft tube hf
𝑉12 52
=0.2 2𝑔 =0.2 × 19.62

=0.255m
 Power lost = Qhf
=9.81 x 15.7 x 0.255
=39.27kw

Dr GK Viswanadh Prof of Civil Engineering & Director UGC

7/16/2021 54
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