HYDRAULIC TURBINES

1.  Define hydraulic machines.

Hydraulic machines which convert the energy of flowing water into mechanical energy.
 
2.   Give example for a low head, medium head and high head turbine.
Low head turbine – Kaplan turbine
 
Medium head turbine – Modern Francis turbine High head turbine – Pelton wheel
 
3.   What is impulse turbine? Give example.
 
In impulse turbine all the energy converted into kinetic energy. From these the turbine will
develop high kinetic energy power. This turbine is called impulse turbine. Example: Pelton
turbine
 
4.  What is reaction turbine? Give example.
 
In a reaction turbine, the runner utilizes both potential and kinetic energies. Here portion of
potential energy is converted into kinetic energy before entering into the turbine.
 
Example: Francis and Kaplan turbine.
 
5.  What is axial flow turbine?
 
In axial flow turbine water flows parallel to the axis of the turbine shaft. Example: Kaplan
turbine
 
6.  What is mixed flow turbine?
 
In mixed flow water enters the blades radially and comes out axially, parallel to the turbine
shaft. Example: Modern Francis turbine.
 
7.  What is the function of spear and nozzle?
 
The nozzle is used to convert whole hydraulic energy into kinetic energy. Thus the nozzle
delivers high speed jet. To regulate the water flow through the nozzle and to obtain a good jet of
water spear or nozzle is arranged.
 
8.  Define gross head and net or effective head.
 
Gross Head: The gross head is the difference between the water level at the reservoir and the
level at the tailstock.
 
Effective Head: The head available at the inlet of the turbine.
9.  Define hydraulic efficiency.
It is defined as the ratio of power developed by the runner to the power supplied by the water
 
jet.
 
10. Define mechanical efficiency.
 
It is defined as the ratio of power available at the turbine shaft to the power developed by the
turbine runner.
 
11. Define volumetric efficiency.
 
It is defied as the volume of water actually striking the buckets to the total water supplied by the
jet.
 
12. Define over all efficiency.
 
It is defined as the ratio of power available at the turbine shaft to the power available from the
water jet.
 
13. Define the terms
 
(a) Hydraulic machines (b) Turbines (c) Pumps. a. Hydraulic machines:
 
(a) Hydraulic machines are defined as those machines which convert either hydraulic energy
into mechanical energy or mechanical energy into hydraulic energy.
 
(b) Turbines;
 
The hydraulic machines which convert hydraulic energy into mechanical energy are called
turbines.
 
(c ) Pumps:
The hydraulic Machines which convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy are called
pumps.
 
14. What do you mean by gross head?
 
The difference between the head race level and tail race level when no water is flowing is
known as gross head. It is denoted by Hg.
 
15. What do you mean by net head?
 
Net head is also known as effective head and is defined as the head available at the inlet of te
turbine. It is denoted as H
 
16. What is draft tube? why it is used in reaction turbine?
 
The pressure at exit of runner of a reaction turbine is generally less than the atmospheric
pressure. The water at exit cannot be directly discharged to tail race. A tube or pipe of gradually
increasing area is used for discharging water from exit of turbine to tail race. This tube of
increasing area is called draft tube.
 
17. What is the significance of specific speed?
 
Specific speed plays an important role for selecting the type of turbine. Also the performance of
turbine can be predicted by knowing the specific speed of turbine.
 
18.. What are unit quantities?
 
Unit quantities are the quantities which are obtained when the head on the turbine is unity. They
are unit speed, unit power unit discharge.
 
19. Why unit quantities are important
If a turbine is working under different heads, the behavior of turbine can be easily known from
the values of unit quantities.
 
20. What do you understand by characteristic curves of turbine?
 
Characteristic curves of a hydraulic turbine are the curves, with the help of which the exact
behavior and performance of turbine under different working conditions can be known.
 
 
21. Define the term 'governing of turbine'.
 
Governing of turbine is defined as the operation by which the speed of the turbine is kept
constant under all conditions of working. It is done by oil pressure governor.
 
22. What are the types of draft tubes?
The following are the important types of draft tubes which are commonly used.
 
a. Conical draft tubes
b. Simple elbow tubes
c. Moody spreading tubes and
d. Elbow draft tubes with circular inlet and rectangular outlet.

Turbine is a device that extracts energy from a fluid (converts the energy held by the fluid to
mechanical energy)

Pumps are devices that add energy to the fluid (e.g. pumps, fans, blowers and compressors).
Introduction to hydraulic turbines:

The device which converts hydraulic energy into mechanical energy or vice versa is known as
Hydraulic Machines. The hydraulic machines which convert hydraulic energy into mechanical
energy are known as Turbines and that convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy is known
as Pumps .

Fig .3.1 shows a general layout of a hydroelectric plant

It consists of the following:

 A Dam constructed across a river or a channel to store water. The reservoir is also known as
Headrace.
 Pipes of large diameter called Penstocks which carry water under pressure from storage reservoir
to the turbines . These pipes are usually made of steel or reinforced concrete.
 Turbines having different t ypes of vanes or buckets or blades mounted on a wheel called runner.
 Tailrace which is a channel carrying water away from the turbine after the water has worked on the
turbines . The water surface in the tailrace is also referred to as tailrace .

Important Terms:

Gross Head (H g ): It is the vertical difference between headrace and tailrace.

Net Head: (H): Net head or effective head is the actual head available at the inlet of the to work
on the turbine . H = Hg – hL,
 Where hL is the total head loss during the transit of water from the headrace to tailrace which is
mainly head loss due to friction, and is given by

4 f LV 2
hf=
2 gD

Where ‘f’ is the coefficient of friction of penstock depending on the type of material of
penstock. L is the total length of penstock. V is the mean flow velocity of water through the
penstock. D is the diameter of penstock and g is the acceleration due to gravity

Classification of Turbines

The hydraulic turbines can be classified based on type of energy at the inlet, direction of flow
through the vanes, head available at the inlet, discharge through the vanes and specific speed.
They can be arranged as per the following table: As can be seen from the above table, an y
specific type can be explained by suitable construction of sentences by selecting the other items
in the table along the row.

Table 3.1 Classification of Turbines

Selection of Hydraulic Turbines

The power projects, where hydraulic turbines are to be installed, are generally huge projects,
involving very high investments on head works and machinery. Because of the wide variation of the
two basic data, namely, the head and the flow rate, each project requires some unique design.
Therefore, the selection and design of a particular type of turbine must be undertaken with some
discretion, so as to have the highest possible efficiency of the turbine.
There are two approaches to decide the type of turbine suitable for a given project site, with
specified head and flow rate:
1. One criterion is the head (meters of water) available. Shown in Fig. is a scale that indicates the
head and the corresponding suitable turbine.

It may be observed that there are some ranges of overlaps, such as the 50-75 m or 150-250 m
stretches. In these ranges, the turbine can be selected by the criterion of the specific speed,
mentioned in the next paragraph, to include the effect of the available flow rates also.
2. Another criterion is the specific speed corresponding to the site data. The head, H (m of water),
and the flow rate, Q (m3/s), are taken as data. An overall efficiency of the order of 0.85 or 0.88 can
be assumed. Then, the power P is given by
ωQ H η
P= kW
1000
Now, the speed of the turbine N rpm has to be selected that must be one of the synchronous speeds
(N = 3000/p, p =1, 2, 3, …, to have a frequency of 50 Hz of electrical power supply) because
turbines drive the alternators. With this, the specific speed can be calculated by

Following Figure indicates a scale of specific speeds and the corresponding suitable turbines.
It may be noted here that even on this scale, there are overlaps. Also, the limits of the specific speed
to select any particular type of turbine are, however, not very sharp. There are many other considerations, such as
cost factors, control factors, applications, etc., and the calculated specific speed can be logically manipulated.
If the calculated specific speed happens to be like 400, then one can assume two equal-sized turbines with the
available flow rate equally divided between the two. The new specific speed for each of the turbine becomes

This new specific speed is brought in the range 60−300 to select a Francis turbine. This method of crossing over
the range (from Kaplan to two or more units of Francis, or from Francis to multiple-jet Pelton) has to be evaluated
with alternate plans and other possible cost factors.
Selection of any type of turbine for a site is by any of the above two approaches. However, the selection also has
to focus on the further steps of the design. As an illustration, on the stretch of the Francis turbine in Fig., another
scale of the diameter ratio D2/D1 is also given. This indicates that the ratio D2/D1 varies with specific speeds. As
the specific speed increases, the Francis turbine tends to be nearer to the axial flow machine. The name “Francis
turbine” therefore is not an all-time standard design. Just like the diameter ratios, all the comparative and absolute
dimensions have to be determined for a given project. The guidelines start from the values of the specific speed.
It has to be mentioned here that Figs. 6.2 and 6.3 are derived from Fig. 1.13, where the different types of turbines
are compared for their suitability for the situation dictated by the specific speed. The aim is to maximize the
efficiency in a given set of data for a project site.

There are three type of hydraulic turbines:

(1) Impulse turbine -Pelton turbine
(2) Reaction turbines: (a) Francis turbine and (b) Kaplan Turbine

(1) PELTON WHEEL OR TURBINE :

Pelton wheel, named after an eminent engineer, is an impulse turbine wherein the flow is tangential to the
runner and the available energy at the entrance is completel y kinetic energy. Further, it is preferred at a very
high head and low discharges with low specific speeds . The pressure available at the inlet and the outlet is
atmospheric

The main components of a Pelton turbine are:

(i) Nozzle and flow regulating arrangement: Water is brought to the hydroelectric plant site
through large penstocks at the end of which there will be a nozzle, which converts the
pressure energy completely into kinetic energy. This will convert the liquid flow into a high
–speed, which strikes the buckets or vanes mounted on the runner, Wheel Spear which in -
turn rotates the runner of the turbine. The amount of water striking the vanes is controlled b
y the forward and backward motion of the spear. As the water is flowing in the annular area
between the annular area between the nozzle opening and the spear, the flow gets reduced
as the spear moves forward and vice – versa
(ii) Runner with buckets: Runner is a circular disk mounted on a shaft on the periphery of
which a number of buckets are fixed equally spaced as shown in Fig. The buckets are made
of cast -iron cast -steel, bronze or stainless steel depending upon the head at the inlet of the
turbine. The water jet strikes the bucket on the splitter and gets deflected through 160 –
1700.

(iii) Casing: It is made of cast - iron or fabricated steel plates. The main function of the casing
is to prevent splashing of water and to discharge the water into tailrace.
(iv) Breaking jet: Even after the amount of water striking the buckets is completel y stopped,
the runner goes on rotating for a very long time due to inertia. To stop the runner in a short
time, a small nozzle is provided which directs the jet of water on the back of bucket with
which the rotation of the runner is reversed . This jet is called as breaking jet
Advantages of Pelton Wheel:

 The Pelton turbine is the most efficient of hydro turbines.

 It operates with a very flat efficiency curve
 Each bucket splits the water jet in half, thus balancing the side-load forces or thrust on the
wheel and thus the bearings.
 It operates on the high head and low discharge.
 It has a tangential flow which means that it can have either axial flow or radial flow.
 Pelton wheel turbine is very easy to assemble.
 There is no cavitation because water jet strikes only a specific portion of the runner.
 It has fewer parts as compared to Francis's turbine which has both fixed vanes and guided
vanes.
 The overall efficiency of the Pelton turbine is high.
 Pelton wheel turbines, both first law and the second law of motion are applied.
 The main advantages are that In this turbine, the whole process of water jet
striking and leaving for the runner takes place at atmospheric pressure.

 Disadvantages of Pelton Wheel:

 The efficiency decrease very quickly with time.

 The Turbine size runner, generator and powerhouse required is large.
 The variation in the operating head is difficult to control because of high heads.
Application of Pelton Wheel:

 Pelton wheel is the preferred turbine for hydropower when the available water source has a
relatively high hydraulic head at low flow rates.
 In a hydroelectric power plant, This is used to drive the generator of the turbine and that
generator generates the mechanical energy of the turbine into electrical energy.

Heads and Efficiencies of Hydraulic turbines:

Depending on the considerations of input and output, the efficiencies can be classified as
(i) Hydraulic Efficiency (ii) Mechanical Efficiency (iii) Overall efficiency h)

(i) Hydraulic Efficiency: It is the ratio of the power developed by the runner of a turbine to the
power supplied at the inlet of a turbine. Since the power supplied is hydraulic, and the probable loss
is between the striking jet and vane it is rightly called hydraulic efficiency.
If R.P. is the Runner Power and W.P. is the Water Power m

Power developed by the runner of a turbine Runner power

ηhy =
Power supplied at the inlet of a turbine
= Water power

m m
XW (U V ± U 2 V u 2) He
ηhy =
gc
=
gc 1 u1
=
ρQ(U 1 V u 1 ± U 2 V u 2) = H
Water power ρQg H ρQgH

kg kg m3
Note : about units , m= ∨ρ Q= 3 x
sec m sec

H−hf
ηhy =
H
Where H is the effective head at the inlet of turbine

(ii) Volumetric efficiency:

It is the ratio of quantity of water actually striking the runner to the quantity of water supplied to the
runner
 Quantity of water actually striking therunner
η vol= the runner ¿
Quantity of water supplied ¿

Q−∆ Q
η vol=
Q

Where ΔQ = Amount of water that slips directly to the tail race

= Loss
(iii) Mechanical Efficiency: It is the ratio of the power available at the shaft to the power
developed by the runner of a turbine. This depends on the slips and other mechanical problems that
will create a loss of energy between the runner in the annular area between the nozzle and spear, the
amount of water reduces as the spear is pushed forward and vice-versa. and shaft which is purely
mechanical and hence mechanical efficiency.
If S.P. is the Shaft Power (02) )

Power available at the shaft Shaft output power

η Mech = =
Power developed by the runner of a turbine Power developed by runner

Shaft output power

η Mech =
(U 1 V u1 ±U 2 V u 2 )
gc
(iii) Overall Efficiency: It is the ratio of the power available at the shaft to the power supplied at
the inlet of a turbine. As this covers overall problems of losses in energy, it is known as overall
efficiency. This depends on both the hydraulic losses and the slips and other mechanical problems
that will create a loss of energy between the jet power supplied and the power generated at the shaft
available for coupling of the generator.

Shaft output power SP

ηO = =
Water power at inlet ρ Q g H

ηO =¿ ηhy ηMech ηVol

 Fig. Various efficiencies of power plant

Work done by the pelton wheel:

OR

Fig. Shape of bucket and velocity diagram

For pelton turbine:
  U1 = U2 = U
 Α1 =0, β1 = 0
 Vw1 = V1, and Vr1 = V1 – U1 = V1 – U
 U and V1 are in the same direction.
 For smooth surface of bucket or for no losses Vr1 = Vr2
 For non-smooth surface of buckets and energy losses due to impact at splitter are considered
then Vr2 = kVr1, Where k = Blade friction coefficient
β 2 is the runner tip angle = 180 - θ .
Where θ=Angle of deflection = It is the angle through which the jet is deflected by the bucket.
Figure shows the inlet and outlet velocity triangles. Since the angle of entrance of jet is zero, the
inlet velocity triangle collapses to a straight line. The tangential component of absolute velocity at
inlet Vu1 = V1 and relative velocity at the inlet is Vr1 = V1 – U.

From the OUTLET velocity triangle:

V u 2 = V r 2 COS β 2−U

= V r 1 COS β 2−U [because V r 1 = V r 2 as NO losses]

V u 2 = (V ¿¿ 1−U )¿ COS β 2−U [ V r 1 ¿(V 1−U )]

Work done / kg of water by the runner :

 [U 1V ¿ ¿ u 1 ±U 2 V u 2] [V ¿ ¿u 1 ±V u 2]
W= gc
¿ ¿U
gc
¿ [because U1 = U2 =
U]
[+ ve sign for opposite direction of Vu1 and Vu2, - Ve sign for same direction of Vu1 and Vu2]

From velocity triangle

[V ¿ ¿ u 1+V u 2]
W=U X ¿ [because opposite of Vu1 and Vu2]
gc

U [V u 1+(V 1−U )cos β 2−U ] U [ V 1+(V 1−U ) cos β 2−U ]

= gc
=
gc
[because V 1=Vu1]

U [ ( V 1−U ) −(V 1 −U)cos β 2]

=
gc

U [ ( V 1−U ) (1+ cos β 2)]

W=
gc

V r2
If bucket velocity coefficient Cb = (V ¿ is considered then
r1

U [( V 1−U ) (1+C b cos β 2)]

W=
gc

The energy supplied to the wheel is in the form of kinetic energy of the turbine,

V 21
which is equal to
gc

ρ Q(U 1 V u1 ± U 2 V u 2 )
Hydraulic efficiency: ηhy = [General equation by Defn]
ρQ g H

U [ ( V 1 −U ) (1+C b cos β 2)]

W
ηhy = 2 gc
V1 =
V 21
gc
gc

U [ ( V 1−U ) ( 1+C b cos β 2 ) ]

= V 21
 dηhy
For maximum hydraulic efficiency, =0
dU
¿
= 2 ( 1+Cb cos β 2 ) ¿ V 21 ≠ 0 , V 1−2U =0
U
Therefore, V1 = 2U or Ø = V = 0.5 or U = 0.5V1
1

This shows that tangential velocity of bucket should be half of the velocity of jet
for maximum efficiency

2U [( 2 U−U ) ( 1+C b cos β 2 ) ]

ηhy =
2U 2

ηhy = ( 1+C b cos β 2) ¿ ¿2

If Cb = 1, then the above equation gives the maximum efficiency for β 2=0 0

Working proportions of Pelton wheel:

(i) Ideal velocity of jet from nozzle, V th =√ 2 gH
and actual velocity of Jet, V 1=C v √2 gH

Where Cv coefficient of velocity for nozzle is in the range of 0.97 to 0.99

(ii) Tangential velocity of buckets

U
U =Ø √ 2 gH =Ø=
√ 2 gH
Ø = Speed ratio is in the range of 0.43 to 0.48
(iii) Least diameter of the jet (d)
π d2 π d2
Total discharge Q T = n V1 = n √2 gH
4 4
Where n = Number of jets

(iv) Mean diameter or Pitch diameter of buckets or Runner (D)

 πDN U X 60
Tangential velocity U = OR D = πXN
60

(v) Number of buckets required

The ratio of the mean diameter of buckets to the diameter of jet is known as ”Jet ratio”
D
i.e., m =
d
m D
Z = 2 +15= 2 d + 15
Where m ranges from 6 to 35
(vi) Power developed by pelton wheel
ρQ g H
P = η o X 60

Problems:

Problem 1. Design a Pelton turbine for a project site where the available head is 510 m and the
uniform flow rate is 0.03 m3/s. Assume an overall efficiency of 0.867, coefficient of velocity of
nozzle as 0.985, a speed ratio of 0.46, and a speed of 1500 rpm.
Solution: Given H = 510 m, Q = 0.03 m3/s, ηo = 0.867, cv = 0.985, Ø = 0.46, N =1500.
Now the power output is
ωQ g H (ρg) Q g H 9.81 X 1000 X 0.03 X 510
P=η0 =η0 =0.867 X
1000 1000 1000

P = 130.13 kW
N √P 1500 √ P130.13
Ns= =
The specific speed is 5 5
4 4
H (510)

Ns = 7.06
.
.
Select a single-jet Pelton turbine. Velocity of the jet is
V1 = cv √ 2 gH =¿ 0.985 √2 X 9.81 X 510¿

V1 = 98.53 m/s

Diameter of jet is
π d2
Q= V1
4

d=
√ √
4Q
πV1
=
4 X 0.03
π X 98.53

d = 1.97 cm = 2 cm

60 60
Diameter of the rotor is D = 0.46 V1 X = 0.46 98.53 X
πN π X 1500

D = 57.7 cm

D 57.7
The jet ratio is = =28.85
d 2

Therefore, Number of buckets, Z = 0.5 X 28.85 +15 = 29.42

Z = 30.

Length of bucket = 2.3 d = 4.6 cm

Breadth of the bucket = 2.8d = 5.6 cm
Depth of bucket = 0.6 d = 1.2 cm
Inlet angle = 50
Outlet angle = 180 -165 = 150
Problem 2:
Problem 3:
The gross head available at a project site is 350 m of water. The penstock pipe is estimated to be
600 m long. The pipe friction factor is f = 0.007. The total pipe losses have to be limited to 4% of
gross head. The expected power from the project is 2600 kW. The turbine speed is 600 rpm.
Calculate (a) the required flow rate Q m3/s, (b) the pipe line diameter Dp, (c) the jet diameter d, and
(d) the rotor mean diameter D. The speed ratio is 0.46, the nozzle velocity coefficient is 0.985, and
the overall efficiency is 0.92.
Diameter of a wheel: D = 3.68 m
Power developed by pelton wheel
ρQ g H
P = ηo X 60

But,
Assume frictionless and no losses in the turbine (Vr1 = Vr2)

Solution: original figure:

 3
kg m m m
X X X
m
3
sec sec sec kg m3 m m
2
N −sec N −m J
P= = 3X X X X = = =Watt
kg−m m sec sec sec kg−m sec sec
N −sec 2
 ( )
2
π 2 4Q
Note: for step (c): Q = AV OR Q= 4DV OR V= 2
πD
 (2) Reaction turbines: (a) Francis Turbine:

Introduction to Francis Turbine –

 The Francis turbine is a mixed flow reaction turbine. It uses both impulse and reaction, where
water enters the turbine radically and exits axially. This turbine is used for medium heads with
medium discharge. Water enters the runner and flows towards the center of the wheel in the
radial direction and leaves parallel to the axis of the turbine.

 Turbines are subdivided into impulse and reaction machines. In the impulse turbines, the total
head available is converted into the kinetic energy. In the reaction turbines, only some part of
the available total head of the fluid is converted into kinetic energy so that the fluid entering the
runner has pressure energy as well as kinetic energy. The pressure energy is then converted into
kinetic energy in the runner.

 The Francis turbine is a type of reaction turbine and they operate in a water head from 40 to
600 m and are primarily used for electrical power production. The electric generators which most
often use this type of turbine have a power output which generally ranges just a few kilowatts up
to 800 MW
 Fig. Francis turbine

Main Components of Francis Turbine

The major components of Francis turbine are

1. Spiral Casing or volute.

Spiral casing is the inlet medium of water to the turbine. The water flowing from the reservoir or dam is made to
pass through this pipe with high pressure. The blades of the turbines are circularly placed, which mean the water
striking the turbines blades should flow in the circular axis for efficient striking. So the spiral casing is used, but
due to circular movement of the water, it looses its pressure. To maintain the same pressure the diameter of the
casing is gradually reduced, so as to maintain the pressure uniform, thus uniform momentum or velocity striking
the runner blades.

 The casing of the Francis turbine is designed in a spiral form with a gradually increasing area.

 The fluid enters from the penstock (pipeline leading to the turbine from the reservoir at high
altitude) to a spiral casing that surrounds the runner.

 The cross-sectional area of this casing decreases uniformly along the circumference to
keep the fluid velocity constant in magnitude along its path towards the stay vane. This is
 so because the rate of flow along the fluid path in the volute decreases due to continuous entry
of the fluid to the runner through the openings of the stay vanes.

 The casing is made of cast steel, plate steel, concrete, or concrete and steel depending upon the
pressure to which it is subjected. Out of these a plate steel scroll casing is commonly provided
for turbines operating under 30 m or higher heads.

The selection of material for the casing depends upon the head of water to be supplied

For a head —    up to 30 meters —concrete is used.

For a head —    from 30 to 60 meters —    welded rolled steel plates are used.

For a head of above 90 meters    — cast steel is used.

2. Guide Mechanism: 

 The turbine consists of an outer spiral casing, followed by a set of fixed blades or stay

vanes, next comes a set of moving blades  or guide vanes, then a set of centrally
placed blades called runner and lastly an outgoing duct called draft tube.It consists of a
stationary circular wheel all around the runner of the turbine.

 The stationary guide vanes are fixed on the guide mechanism. The moving or guide vanes
allow the water to strike the fixed blades on the runner without shock at the inlet.

 The guide vanes are fixed between two rings. This arrangement is in the form of a wheel and
called a guide wheel. Each vane can be rotated about its pivot center.

 The opening between the vanes can be increased or decreased by adjusting the guide wheel.
The guide wheel is adjusted by the regulating shaft which is operated by a  governor.

 The guide blades rest on pivoted on a ring and can be rotated by the rotation of the ring,
whose movement is controlled by the governor. In this way the area of blade passage is
changed to vary the flow rate of water according to the load so that the speed can be
maintained constant. The variation of area between guide blades is illustrated in Figure vane
 The guide mechanism provides the required quantity of water to the runner depending upon
the load conditions.  The guide vanes are in general made of cast steel.
Fixed or Stay Vanes 
Stay vanes and guide vanes guides the water to the runner blades. Stay vanes remain fixed or
stationary at their position and reduces the swirling of water due to radial flow, as it enters the
runner blades. Thus making turbine more efficient.

Fig 2 : Stay Vanes and Guide Vanes of Francis Turbine.

Guide Vanes
Moving or guide vanes are not stationary, they change their angle as per the requirement to control
the angle of striking of water to turbine blades to increase the efficiency. They also regulate
the flow rate of water into the runner blades thus controlling the power output of a turbine
according to the load on the turbine.
3. Runner Blades
The performance and efficiency of the turbine is dependent on the design of the runner blades. In a
Francis turbine, runner blades are divided into 2 parts. The lower half is made in the shape of small
bucket so that it uses the impulse action of water to rotate the turbine. The upper part of the blades
uses the reaction force of water flowing through it. These two forces together make the runner to
rotate.

 Runner is a circular wheel on which a series of radial curved vanes are fixed. The surface of the
vanes are made very smooth. The radial curved vans are so shaped that the water enters and
leaves the runner without shocks.

 The flow in the runner of a modern Francis turbine is partly radial and partly axial.

 The runners may be classified as

o Slow
o Medium
o Fast

 The runner may be cast in one piece or made of separate steel plates welded together.  The
runner made of CI for small output, cast steel, or stainless steel or bronze for large output. The
runner blades should be carefully finished with a high degree of accuracy.

 The runner may be keyed to the shaft which may be vertical or horizontal. The shaft is made of
steel and is forged it is provided with a collar for transmitting the axial thrust.

4. Draft Tube
The pressure at the exit of the runner of Reaction Turbine is generally less than atmospheric
pressure. The water at exit cannot be directly discharged to the tail race. A tube or pipe of
gradually increasing area is used for discharging water from the exit of turbine to the tail race.

This tube of increasing area is called Draft Tube. One end of the tube is connected to the outlet
of runner while the other end is sub-merged below the level of water in the tail-race.

 The water after doing work on the runner passes on to the tall race through a tube called a
draft tube.

 It is made of riveted steel plate or pipe or a concrete tunnel.

  The cross-section of the tube increases gradually towards the outlet. The draft tube connects
the runner exit to the tailrace.

 This tube should be drowned approximately 1 meter below the tailrace water level.

Function of draft tube –

i) To decrease the pressure at the runner exit to a value less than atmospheric pressure and
thereby increase the effective working head.
ii) To recover a part of electric energy into pressure head at the exit of the draft tube.
This enables easy discharge to the atmosphere.

Types of draft tube:

i. Conical draft tube

ii. Simple elbow draft tube
iii. Moody spreading draft tube
iv. Elbow draft tube with circular cross-section at inlet and rectangular at outlet

(1) Conical Draft Tubes—

This is known as a tapered draft tube and used in all reaction turbines where conditions permit.
It is preferred for low specific speed and Francis turbine. The maximum cone angle is 8° (a =
40°). The hydraulic efficiency is 90%.

(2) Simple Elbow Tubes-

The elbow type draft tube is often preferred in most of the power plants. If the tube is large in
diameter; ‘it may be necessary to make the horizontal portion of some other section. A
common form of section used is over or rectangular. It has low efficiency of around 60%.

(3) Moody Spreading Tubes-

This tube is used to reduce the whirling action of discharge water when the turbine runs at high
speed under low head conditions. The draft tube has an efficiency of around 85%.
(4) Elbow with circular inlet and rectangular outlet—

This tube has circular cross-section at the inlet and rectangular section at the outlet. The change
from the circular section to the rectangular section takes place in the bend from the vertical leg
to the horizontal leg. The efficiency is about 85%.

Fig. Types of draft tube

How Does a Francis Turbine Work?

The water is allowed to enter the spiral casing of the turbine, which lead the water through the stay
vanes and guide vanes. The spiral case is kept in decreasing diameter so as to maintain the flow
pressure.

The stay vanes being stationary at their place, removes the swirls from the water, which are
generated due to flow through spiral casing and tries it to make the flow of water more linear to be
deflected by adjustable guide vanes.

The angle of guide vanes decides the angle of attack of water at the runner blades thus make sure
the output of the turbine. The runner blades are stationary and can-not pitch or change their angle so
it’s all about the guide vanes which controls the power output of a turbine.

The performance and efficiency of the turbine is dependent on the design of the runner blades. In a
Francis turbine, runner blades are divided into 2 parts. The lower half is made in the shape of
small bucket so that it uses the impulse action of water to rotate the turbine.
The upper part of the blades uses the reaction force of water flowing through it.  Thus runner blades
make use of both pressure energy and kinetic energy of water and rotate the runner in most efficient
way. This kinetic energy is utilized in rotating the wheel. Thus the hydraulic energy is converted
into mechanical energy

The water coming out of runner blades would lack both the kinetic energy and pressure energy, so
we use the draft tube to recover the pressure as it advances towards tail race, but still we cannot
recover the pressure to that extent that we can stop air to enter into the runner housing thus causing
cavitations.

The outgoing water enters the tailrace after passing through the draft tube. The draft tube enlarges
gradually and the enlarged end is submerged deeply in the tailrace water. Due to this arrangement a
suction head is created at the exit of the runner

Fig 3: External Francis Turbine attached to a dynamo.

Applications of Francis Turbine
 Francis Turbine is widely used as a turbine in hydro-power plants for generating electricity.
 It is also used for irrigation to pump water from the ground.
 The Francis Turbine is efficient with the range of water head and flow rate.
 Francis Turbine is the most versatile and efficient hydro-turbine till date.
 This is the information about the Francis Turbine and Francis Turbine working.

Cavitation:
The pressure difference of water entering the turbine and it exists after the striking as the runner
blades are high. And because of this pressure difference air molecules are at high pressure when
water is coming out and it enters the turbine casing in the form of bubbles. These bubbles are
exploding near the surface of runner blades and it causes the shock wave, and this produces a defect
at runners’ surface and it is called cavitation and this causes a dangerous problem for turbine
efficiency. How to prevent the blades from cavitation? The solution is using the hard surface
material like stainless steel or goes for surface hardening of runner blades for preventing cavitation.

Causes of Cavitation

The liquid enters hydraulic turbines at high pressure; this pressure is a combination of static and
dynamic components. Dynamic pressure of the liquid is by the virtue of flow velocity and the other
component, static pressure, is the actual fluid pressure which the fluid applies and which is acted
upon it. Static pressure governs the process of vapor bubble formation or boiling. Thus, Cavitation
can occur near the fast moving blades of the turbine where local dynamic head increases due to
action of blades which causes static pressure to fall. Cavitation also occurs at the exit of the turbine
as the liquid has lost major part of its pressure heads and any increase in dynamic head will lead to
fall in static pressure causing Cavitation.

Effects of Cavitation:

The formation of vapor bubbles in cavitation is not a major problem in itself but the collapse of
these bubbles generates pressure waves, which can be of very high frequencies, causing
damage to the machinery. The bubbles collapsing near the machine surface are more damaging
and cause erosion on the surfaces called as cavitation erosion. The collapses of smaller bubbles
create higher frequency waves than larger bubbles. So, smaller bubbles are more detrimental to the
hydraulic machines.

Smaller bubbles may be more detrimental to the hydraulic machine body but they do not
cause any significant reduction in the efficiency of the machine. With further decrease in static
pressure more number of bubbles is formed and their size also increases. These bubbles coalesce
with each other to form larger bubbles and eventually pockets of vapor. This disturbs the liquid
flow and causes flow separation which reduces the machine performance sharply. Cavitation is an
important factor to be considered while designing Hydraulic Turbines.

Reducing cavitation:

To avoid cavitation while operating Hydraulic Turbines parameters should be set such that at
any point of flow static pressure may not fall below the vapor pressure of the liquid. These
parameters to control cavitation are pressure head, flow rate and exit pressure of the liquid. The
control parameters for cavitation free operation of hydraulic turbines can be obtained by conducting
tests on model of the turbine under consideration. The parameters beyond which cavitation starts
and turbine efficiency falls significantly should be avoided while operation of hydraulic turbines.

Flow separation at the exit of the turbine in the draft tube causes vibrations which can damage the
draft tube. To dampen the vibration and stabilize the flow, air is injected in the draft tube. To
totally avoid the flow separation and cavitation in the draft tube it is submerged below the
level of the water in tailrace.

Velocity triangle of Francis Turbine:

 OR

Work done per kg of water:

[U 1 V ¿ ¿u 1−U 2 V u 2 ]
W=
gc
¿ [V u 2 = 0 as it is Axial outlet turbine]

U2V u2
W=
gc

(i) Hydraulic efficiency:

 Power developed by the runner of a turbine Runner power
ηh y =
Power supplied at theinlet of aturbine
= Water power

Head by the runner of a turbine Runner power

ηh y =
Net head available ¿
therotor ¿ = Water power

ρ Q(U 1 V u1 ) Where, H = Head at inlet

ηhy =
ρQgH V4 = Velocity of water at exit of the
draft tube
( ) ( )
2 2
V V
gH− 4 H− 4
gc = gc
ηh y =
gH H

(ii)Volumetric efficiency:

Q 2 (Q− ΔQ)
ηVol = = Where, ΔQ= Loss = Q1 – Q2
Q1 Q

(iii) Mechanical Efficiency:

Power available at the shaft Shaft output power
η Mech = =
Power developed by the runner of a turbine Power developed by runner

(iv)Overall Efficiency:

Shaft output power SP

ηO = =
Water power at inlet ρ Q g H

ηO =¿ ηhy ηMech ηVol

Example 1:
In a Francis turbine, the water flows radially at a guide-vane angle of 15° and its inlet blade
angle is 900 OR inlet flow is RADIAL. The ratio of inlet diameter to outlet diameter is 2.0. The
flow velocity is 5.0 m/s and is CONSTANT (𝑉 𝑓1=𝑉𝑓2). Considering the exit discharge as
RADIAL, determine the (a) the peripheral velocity at inlet, and (b) blade angle at outlet.
Solution: Given: α1= l5°, 𝑉𝑓1=𝑉𝑓2= 5.0 m/s, β1=90°, α2=90°, 𝐷1/𝐷2=2), Consider the
velocity triangles at inlet and outlet (see attached Figure).
From inlet velocity triangle:
V
f1
tan α 1= V ∧Vu1=U 1
u1

V f1 5
U 1= = 18.66 m/s
tan α 1 tan15 0

π D1 N π D2 N
=
60 60

D1
=2(Ratio is given)
D2

D1 U 1 U 1 18.66
= =2 Hence U2 = = =¿ 9.33 m/s
D2 U 2 2 2

Also V f 1=V f 2=5 m/s

From the velocity triangle at the out let:

V
f2 5
tan β 2= U = 9.33 =0.5359
2

β 2=tan −¿(0.5359)=28.187 ¿

Example 2:

The following data are available for a Francis turbine:

Flow velocity = 4.0 m/s and is CONSTANT

Peripheral velocity at inlet = 30 m/s

Whirl velocity at inlet= 25 m/s.

Assuming a hydraulic efficiency of 90% and zero whirl at the exit, determine (a) the
net head available to the turbine, (b) the inlet blade angle, and (c) inlet guide vane
angle.

Solution:

Since Vu1 < U1, the inlet velocity triangle is an acute-angled triangle. Refer to the
inlet velocity triangle shown in Fig bellow.

Original diagram
Example 3:
A Francis turbine has a speed of 300 rpm. The inlet diameter of the turbine is 1.20 m and its width
is 280 mm at the inlet. The vane thickness coefficient can be taken as 0.95. If at the inlet, the guide
vane angle is 30° and the blade angle is 90°, estimate the power produced by assuming an overall
efficiency of 0.90. Assume radial discharge at the outlet.
Solution: K1 = 0.95, N = 300 rpm, ηo=90 %

At the inlet: α 1=300 , β 1=90 0 , D 1=1.20 m , B 1=0.28 m ,t 1=0.95

 π D1 N π X 1.2 X 300
Vu1 = U1 = = =18.85 m/ s
60 60
2
V u 1 X UV 1 U 1 18.852
He = = = =36.219m
g g 9.81

0 V
f1
tan α 1=tan 30 = U =0.5774
1

Vf1 = 0.5774 X U1 = 0.5774 X 18.85 = 10.88 m/s

A1 = K1 π D 1 B1 = 0.95 X π X 1.2 X 0.28=1.00 m2

3
m
Q = A1 V f 1=1 X 10.88=10.88
S

η0 ρ g Q H e 0.90 X (9.78 X 1000) X 36.219 X 10.88

P¿ = =3472kW
1000 1000

Example 4:
A Francis turbine has a wheel diameter of 1.2 m at the entrance and 0.6 m at the exit. the blade
angle at the entrance is 90° and the guide vane angle is 15°. The water at the exit leaves the blades
without any tangential velocity. The available head is 30 m and the radial component of flow
velocity is constant. What would be the speed of the wheel in rpm and blade angle at the exit?
Ignore friction
Solution: D1 = 1.2 m, D2 = 0.6 m, β1 = 900, α1 = 150, Vu2 = 0, H=30 m, Vf1 = Vf2, N=? β2 = ?
Vr1 = Vr2
Problem 5:

An inward flow reaction turbine with radial discharge with an overall efficiency of 80% is required
to develop 147 kW. The head is 8 m. Peripheral velocity of the wheel is 0.96 √ 2 gH , the radial
velocity of the flow is 0.36√ 2 gH . The wheel is to make 150 rpm and the hydraulic losses in the
turbine are 22% of the available energy. Determine (a) The angle of the guide blade angle (b) the
wheel vane angle at inlet (c ) the diameter of the wheel (d) the width of the wheel at inlet.

Solution:

V2 is radial, α2 = 900, ηo = 0.8, P = 147 kW, H = 8 m, U1 = 0.96 √ 2 gH = 0.96 √ 2 X 9.81 X 8 =

12.03 m/s, Vf1 = 0.36 √ 2 gH = 0.36 √ 2 X 9.81 X 8 = 4.51 m/s, N = 150 rpm, hL= 0.22 X 8 =
1.76m, η = (1-0.22) = 0.78.
hy

ηo ρQ H
We know that power P= 1000
OR

P X 1000 147 X 1000

ηo = =
ρ g Q H 9.81 X 9.81 X Q X 8 = 0.

Q=2.34 m3 /S

U1V u1 12.03 X V u 1
Now ηhy = = =0.78
gH 9.81 X 8
 V u 1=5.09 m/S

(a) The angle of the guide blade angle

V f 1 4.51
tan α 1= = =¿
V u 1 5.09
0 '
α 1=41 . 54

(b) The wheel vane angle at inlet

Vf1 4.51
tan β 1= =
U 1−V u 1 12.03−5.09
0
β 1=33

Based on inlet values ,the inlet velocity diagram isredrawn∧is show below

(c) The diameter of the wheel

π D 1 N π D1 X 150
U 1= =
60 60

π X D1 X 150
12.03=
60

D1 = 1.53 m

(d) The width of the wheel at inlet

 Q=π D1 B1 V f 1

2.34 = П X 1.53 X B1 X 4.51

B1 = 0.108 m

Problem 6:

A runner blade is to be designed for a Francis turbine 1.5 m outer diameter and 0.75 m inner
diameter to operate under a head of 120 m with a specific speed of 150 and generate 14000 kW.
Assume hydraulic efficiency =0.92. What should be the inlet and outlet blade angles, If the water
has to enter the wheel with an angle of 120 and leave with no whirl velocity.

Solution: D1(outer) = 1.5 m, D2 (inner) = 0.75 m, H = 120 m, Ns = 150, P = 14000 kW, ηhy =0.92,
0
α 1=12 , V u 2=0 , Find β 1=? β 2=?

Vf 1 Vf2
Tan β 1= (V Tan β 2= U
u 1 −U 1) 2

ρ Q(U 1 V u1 ) Specific speed:

Hydraulic efficiency ηhy =
ρQgH
N √P
Ns= 5 OR
H3

N √ 14000
150 = 5
3
120

N = 503.5 rpm
 U 1V u1 39.55 X V u 1
ηhy =
gH
OR 0.92= 9.81 X 120

Therefore, Vu1 = 27.38 m/s

Calculated U1 is greater than Vu1. Hence inlet velocity diagram is drawn as follows:

Therefore,
Vf 1 Vf2
Tan β 1= (U Tan β 2= U
1−V u 1) 2

Vf1
Flow velocity is: tan α 1= V
u1

Vf1
tan 120=
27.38

Therefore, Vf1 = 5.81 m/s

We know that from the inlet velocity triangle:

Vf 1 5.81
Tan β 1= (U =
1−V u 1) (39.55−27.38)
 0
β 1=25.56

Consider outlet velocity triangle:

The blades for a reaction turbine are always so shaped that the tangential or whirling component
of velocity (Vu2) at the outlet is zero. Usually the flow velocity (Vf) remains constant throughout,
i.e. and is equal to that at the inlet (Vf1 = Vf2) to the draft tube.

Therefore, Vf1 = Vf2 = 5.81 m/s

From Figure, we know that Tangential blade speed is

π D2N
Vf2 U 12=
Tan β 2= U 60
2

π X 0.75 X 503.5
5.81 U 2=
Tan β 2= 19.77 60

U2 =19.77 m/s
Therefore, β 2=16.4 0

Problem 7:

The inlet and outlet diameters of an OUTWARD flow turbine are 1.2 m and 1.5 m respectively. The
wheel has a speed of 300 rpm while working under a head of 45 m. the quantity of water passing
through the wheel is 5 m3/s. breadth of the wheel is 03 m. Assume hydraulic efficiency is 0.90.
Find the angles of the blades and guide vanes.

Solution: D1 = 1.2 m, D2 = 1.5 m, N = 300 rpm. H = 45 m, Q = 5 m3/s, ηhy =0.90 , B 1=0.3 m

 Outlet

Vf1 = Vf2 = Vf

Find: From inlet velocity triangle

V f1 Vf1
Tanα 1= V Tan β 1= (V ¿ ¿ u 1−U )¿
u1 1

From outlet velocity triangle

V f2 V2 V2
Tanα 2= U =
U2
Tan β 2= U ¿
2 2¿

Find Vu1:
ρ Q ( U 1V u1) U 1V u1
We know that Hydraulic efficiency ηhy =
ρQg H
= gH
= 0.9
3
U 1 V u 1 ¿ 397.3 m Tangential blade speed is
s
πD1N
397.3 U 1=
V u1 ¿ 60
18.85
π X 1.2 X 300
V u 1 ¿ 21.08 m/s U 2=
60

U2 =18.85 m/s
Find Vf1:

Q 5
Q = π D1 B V f 1 or V f 1= = =4.42m/ s
π D1 B π X 1.2 X 0.3

Findα 1∧β 1 :

From inlet velocity triangle

V f1 4.42
Tanα 1= V = 21.08 OR α 1=11.840
u1

Vf 1
β 1=
Tan (V ¿ ¿ u 1−U 1 )=
4.42 0
∨β 1=63.22 ¿
(21.08−1.85)

Findα 2∧β 2 :

From outlet velocity triangle Figure: Tangential blade speed is

From Figure α 2=900 π D2 N

U 1=
60
V f2 4.42
Tan β 2= U =
23.56 U 2=
π X 1.5 X 300
2
60
0
β 2=8.55 U2 =23.56 m/s

Problem 8:

The following data refers to a Francis turbine

Power developed = 16100 kW, Speed = 600 rpm, Flow rate = 7 m3/s, Axial width at inlet = 13.5
cm, Outer diameter = 150 cm, Volumetric efficiency = 0.98, Draft tube exit velocity = 17.7 m/s,
Velocity of whirl at exit is zero (Vu2 = 0). Find the overall efficiency and hydraulic efficiency.
Solution:
Tangential velocity∨¿
Power developed by the runner P = m X W
blade speed is
(U 1Vu 1) (U 1Vu 1)
=m =ρQ
gc gc πD1N
U 1=
60
( 47.12 X Vu1)
16100 = (1000 X 7) X π X 1.5 X 600
gc U 2=
60
Vu1 = 48.80 m/s

U 1 Vu 47.12 X 48.80
Theoretical head: HT= g = 9.81

HT = 234.4 m
Net head H = HT – losses TDraft tube exit is water having

= 234.4 - Draft tube exit loss V 24

kinetic energy=
2
2g
V4
= 234.4 -
2g V4= Exit of the draft tube

2
V4 17.72
H− 234.4 –
Therefore, Hydraulic efficiency ηhy = 2g = 2 X 9.81 = 93.1%
H 234.4

U 1 Vu 47.12 X 48.80
Actual head available at inlet H = g = 9.81 = 252.04 m
ηhy 0.931

ρ gQH ( 1000 X 9.81 ) X 7 X 252.04

Power available at inlet: P= =
1000 1000

P =17307.6 kW
16100
Overall efficiency ηO = 17307.6 =0.930

Therefore, ηO ¿ 93.0 %
Problem 9:

The outer diameter of a Francis runner is 1.4 m. The flow velocity at inlet is 9.5 m/s. The absolute
velocity at the exit is 7 m/s. The speed of operation is 430 rpm. The power developed is 12.25 MW,
with a flow rate of 12 m3/s. Total head is 115 m. For shockless entry determine the angle of the
inlet guide vane. Also find the absolute velocity at entrance, the runner blade angle at inlet and the
loss of head in the unit. Assume zero whirl at exit. Also fluid the specific speed.
Solution:
(b) Reaction turbine: Kaplan Turbine 

Kaplan Turbine is an axial reaction flow turbine and has adjustable blades. When the water flows
parallel to the axis of the rotation of the shaft, the turbine is known as the axial flow turbine. 

And if the head of the inlet of the turbine is the sum of pressure energy and kinetic energy during
the flow of water through a runner a part of pressure energy is converted into kinetic energy, the
turbine is known as reaction turbine.

For the axial flow reaction turbine (Kaplan Turbine), the shaft of the turbine is vertical. The lower
end of the shaft is made larger which is known as a hub or boss. The vanes are fixed on the hub and
hence hub acts as a runner for the axial flow reaction turbine

Kaplan turbine is now widely used large quantity of water and low head (4-70 m) for which the
specific speed is high. Runner of this turbine looks like a propeller of a ship. Therefore it is
sometimes called as propeller turbine. The Kaplan turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine because
the water is moving in the axial direction.

Main Parts of Kaplan Turbine:

A Kaplan Turbine is consisted of:
 Scroll casing,
 Guide vane mechanism,
 Hub with vanes or runner of the turbine, and
 Draft tube.

Fig. Kaplan Turbine

 Fig. Kaplan Turbine

Scroll casing:

The scroll casing is a spiral type of casing that decreases the cross-section area. First, the water
from the penstocks enters the scroll casing and then moves to the guide vanes. 

From the guide vanes, the water turns through 90° and flows axially through the runner.

The scroll casing protects the runner, runner blades, guide vanes and other internal parts of the
turbine from external damage to the turbine.

Guide Vanes Mechanism:

This is the only controlling part of the whole turbine. which opens and closes depending upon the
demand of power requirement.
When the more power output requirements, it opens wider to allow more water to hit the blades of
the rotor. And when low power output requires, it closes to cease the flow of water.

When the guide vanes are absent then the turbine cannot work efficiently and so that the efficiency
of the turbine decreases.

Hub with vanes or Runner of the turbine:

The term "Runner" in the Kaplan turbine plays an important role and it looks like a propeller of a
ship. Therefore it is sometimes called as propeller turbine. The runner is the rotating part of the
turbine in which helps in the production of electricity. The shaft is connected to the shaft of the
generator.

The runner of this turbine has a large boss on which its blades are attached and the blades of the
runner are adjustable to an optimum angle of attack for maximum power output. The blades of the
Kaplan turbine have twist along its length.

Twist along its length in the Kaplan turbine is provided because to have always the optimum angle
of strike for all cross-section of blades and hence to achieve greater efficiency of the turbine.

Draft Tube:

At the exit of the runner of Reaction Turbine, the pressure available here is generally less than the
atmospheric pressure. The water at the exit cannot be directly discharged to the tailrace.

A tube or pipe is gradually increasing area and this is used for discharging water from the exit of
the turbine to the tailrace.

So, the increasing area of the tube or pipe is called a Draft tube. One end of the draft tube is
connected to the runner outlet and the other end is submerged below the level of water in the tail-
race.

The main important point is that the Draft tube is used only in the Reaction turbine.

Working Principle of the Kaplan Turbine:

Kaplan turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine. So the working fluid changes the pressure as it
moves across the turbine and gives energy.
Power recapitulates from both the Hydrostatic head and kinetic energy of the following water.

From the penstock, the water is coming to enter into the casing. Here flow pressure is not lost
because the shape of casing is designed in such a way that it does not lose the flow.

The water enters with maximum potential energy and with little kinetic energy. It flows through the
blades in the axial direction. rotor is attached so the water comes with much pressure and hence it
rotates the runner. The force exerted on the vanes causes the shaft to rotate. In this turbine only 3 to
6 blades are used and they are fixed at equidistance

The runner is in the form of boss having a bigger diameter. As the blades of the runner as well as
guide blades can be adjusted during operation, the governing of the turbine is easy. The water after
doing work passes on to the tail race through a draft tube. The specific speed of this turbine is
between 300 to 1000 rpm.

From the runner, the water enters into draft tube here pressure and kinetic energy decreases. The
remaining kinetic energy gets converted into pressure energy and hence increases the pressure of
water.

Further rotation of the turbine is used to rotate the shaft of a generator and further used for the
generation or production of electricity.

Advantages of the Kaplan Turbine:

The advantages of the Kaplan Turbine are listed below:

 This turbine work more efficiently at low water head and high flow rates as compared with
other turbines.

 This is smaller in size.

 The efficiency of the Kaplan turbine is very high as compares with other types of hydraulic
turbines.

 The Kaplan turbine is easy to construct and

 The space requirement is less.

Disadvantages of Kaplan Turbine:

Although there are some disadvantages of the Kaplan Turbine and those are:

 The position of the shaft is only in the vertical direction.

 A large flow rate must be required.

  The main disadvantages are the cavitation process. which occurs due to pressure drops in
the draft tube.

 The use of the draft tube and proper material generally stainless steel for the runner blades
may reduce the cavitation problem to a greater extent.

Applications of Kaplan Turbine:

 Kaplan turbines are widely used throughout the world for electric power production. They
cover the lowest head hydro sites and are especially suited for high flow conditions.

 Inexpensive microturbines are manufactured for individual power production with as little
as two feet of head.

 Large Kaplan turbines are individually designed for each site to operate at the highest
possible efficiency, typically over 90%. 

 They are very expensive to design, manufacture and install but operate for decades

List the advantages of Kaplan Turbine over Francis Turbine

 Advantages of Kaplan turbine over Francis turbine
(i) Runner vanes are adjustable in Kaplan turbine while in Francis turbine run vanes are not adjustable.
(ii) There is less resistance offered as the numbers of vanes are fewer in Kaplan turbine (in) Specific
speed range 250-850 m Kaplan turbine. In Francis turbine specific speed range is 5o—250

Efficiency of Kaplan turbine is nearly constant irrespective of speed variation under

load because, Kaplan turbines has the concept of adjusting the runner vanes in the face of changing load
conditions on the turbine, with proper adjustment of blades during its running the Kaplan turbine is capable
of giving a constant and high efficiency for a wide range of load conditions. The pitch of the blades is also
automatically adjusted by the governor through the action of a servo meter
Velocity triangle of Kaplan Turbine:

At the outlet, the discharge is always axial with no whirl velocity component (Vw2 = 0) .

OR

Fig. Velocity triangle of Kaplan turbine

Working proportions:

a) Tangential velocity of blades based on tip diameter (Ub)

U0 = Ø √ 2 g H
Where D = Tip diameter or outer diameter of te runner
d = Hub diameter or boss diameter of the runner
d
=0.35 ¿ 0.60
D

b) Flow velocity (Vf)

 Vf
Ψ = Where Ψ =0.35<Ψ <0.75
√2 g H
Where, Ψ =Flow ratio
π 2 2 π 2 2
c) Q = 4 ( D −d ) V f = 4 ( D −d ) Ψ √2 g H

Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, the velocity triangles will always be drawn w.r.t tip diameter

Problem 1:

A Kaplan turbine delivering 40 MW works under a head of 35 m and runs at 167 rpm. The hub
diameter is 2.5 m and runner tip diameter is 5 m. The overall efficiency is 87%. Determine the
blade angles at the hub and tip and also at a diameter of 3.75 m. Also find the speed ratio and
flow ratio based on tip velocity. Assume ηH = 90%.

Solution:
Problem 2:
A Kaplan turbine plant develops 3000 kW under a head of 10 m. While running at 62.5 rpm. The
discharge is 350 m3/s. The tip diameter of the runner is 7.5 m and the hub to tip ratio is 0.43.
Calculate the specific speed, turbine efficiency, the speed ratio and flow ratio.
Solution:
Problem 5:

The speed ratio and flow ratio of a Kaplan turbine are 2.0 and 0.65, respectively. The hub diameter
to tip diameter ratio is 0.3. The hydraulic efficiency and overall efficiency are estimated as 92% and
85%, respectively. The head acting on the turbine is 4 m. One single rotor develops as much as
8000 kW of power. Determine (a) flow rate, (b) the tip and hub diameters of the runner, (c) the
speed, (d) the specific speed, (e) and the blade angles of the runner. Assume that the discharge is
axial and flow components remain constant through the rotor.
Following questions are for your reference

Q. Questions
CO
No
1 Compare impulse turbines and reaction turbines. Give examples 1, 2
2 Briefly explain the selection procedure of turbine selection 1, 3
3 List the classification of Hydraulic turbines. Derive the equation for work done in
2, 3
Pelton turbine.
4 With a help of neat sketch, explain pelton wheel working and show all
2, 4
components.
5 With usual notations derive the equation for maximum hydraulic efficiency of
1, 2, 4
Pelton turbine.
6 With a help of neat sketch, explain Francis turbine working. Also explain the
2, 3
components Francis turbine.
7 How do you calculate power output and efficiencies of Francis turbine? explain 2, 3
8 With a help of neat sketch, explain Kaplan turbine working. Also explain the 2, 3
 components Francis turbine.
9 Explain the phenomenon of Cavitation. Where is it likely to occur in turbine
1, 3
installations? How to reduce its effects?
10 Draw a neat sketch of a Kaplan turbine and indicate the main components Also
1, 3
state the expression for discharge
11 The diameter and blade angles of a Francis turbine with a specific speed of 95 are
to be determined. The power delivered is 45 MW under a head of 180 m. Assume
overall efficiency of 85% and hydraulic efficiency of 90%. Also b1 = 0.1 D1 and 3
blade thickness
occupies 5% of flow area. The constant flow velocity is 15 m/s.
12 A Kaplan turbine develops 24647.6 kW power at a head of 39 meters. Assuming a
speed ratio of 2, flow ratio of 0.6, diameter of the boss equal to 0.35 times the
3
diameter of the runner and an overall efficiency of To, calculate diameter and
speed of the turbine
13 At a location it is proposed to install a Kaplan turbine with an estimated power of
30 MW at an overall efficiency of 0.89. The head available is 42 m. Determine 3
the speed it hub tip ratio is 0.5 and the flow ratio and speed ratio are 0.5 and 1.8.
13 Only checked: Write only B division assignments and problems 1, 2, 3