EXPERIMENT NO.

STUDY OF TURBINES

AIM :
To study about the Hydraulic Turbines
APPARATUS REQUIRED :
1. Pelton wheel Model
2. Kaplan Turbine Model
THEORY :
Turbine : Turbine is a device which converts kinetic energy into Mechanical energy. If steam
(heat energy) is converted into Mechanical energy then it is called as Steam Turbine. If Potential
energy is converted into Mechanical energy, then it is called as Hydraulic Turbines.
Hydraulic Turbine : A hydraulic turbine is a turbine uses the Potential and Kinetic energy of
the water and converts it into usable Mechanical energy. The mechanical energy available at the
shaft is used to run an electric generator which is directly couples to the turbine shaft.
Classification :
The classification of hydraulic turbines are as follows :
I. Based on the type of energy available at inlet :
a. Impulse Turbine–Pelton wheel, Turbo Impulse Wheel
b. Reaction Turbine–Francis Turbine, Kaplan, Propeller
II. Based on the direction of flow through the Runner :
a. Tangential flow Turbine
b. Radial Flow Turbine
c. Mixed flow Turbine
 L.2 Principles of Turbomachines

III. Based on the Specific Speed :

a. Low Speed Turbine–Pelton Wheel(10-50 rpm)
b. Medium Speed Turbine–Francis (60-400 rpm)
c. High Speed Turbine–Kaplan Turbine (300-1000 rpm)
IV. Based on the Head at the inlet :
a. Low Head Turbine–less than 60m (Kaplan, Propeller)
b. Medium Head Turbine–60m–250m (Francis Turbine)
c. High Head Turbine–More than 250 m (pelton wheel)
Impulse Turbine–
Pelton wheel, Turbo impulse Wheel, Girad Turbine, Banki Turbine.
It is turbine in which at the inlet of the Turbine. The available energy is only Kinetic Energy. As
the water flows over the vanes, the pressure is atmopsheric from inlet to outlet of the turbine.
Reaction Turbine
Francis Turbine, Kaplan, Propeller
It is turbine in which at the inlet of the Turbine, the water possess both Kinetic energy as well as
Pressure energy. As the water flows through the runner is under pressure and converted into kinetic
energy.
Radial Flow Turbine
If the water flows in Radial direction through the turbine. It is called as Radial Turbine.
Tangential Flow Turbine
Pelton wheel
If the water flows along the tangent to the runner, then it is tangential flow turbine.
Inward Flow Turbine
Francis Turbine
If the water flows from outwards to inward radilly is called as inward Radial Turbine.
Outward Flow Turbine
Fourneyron Turbine
 Lab Manual L.3

If the water flows from inwards to outward radilly is called as outward Radial Turbine.
Axial Flow Turbine
Propeller Turbine and Kaplan Turbine
If the water through the runner along the direction parallel to the axis of the rotation of the runner
is called as Axial flow Turbine.
3. Volumetric Efficiency (V)
It is ratio of Quantity of water actually striking the runner to the quantity of water supplied to the
turbine.
V(turbine) = {water actually striking the runner/water supplied}
4. Overall Efficiency 0 :
It is ratio of Shaft Power to the Water power
0 = {Shaft Power/ Water Power}.
 0 = m × h
Specific Speed :
The Specific speed is defined as the speed of the turbine which is identical in shape, geometrical
dimensions blade angles, gate opening, etc. with the actual turbine but a size that it will develop unit
power when working under unit head.
Specific speed plays an important role for selecting the type of the turbine.
The performance of the Turbine can be predicted by knowing the specific speed.
Draft Tube :
The draft tube is a tube of gradually increasding area which connects the outlet of the runner to
the tail race.
It converts the Kinetic energy rejected at the outlet of the turbine into useful pressure energy.
It is used to increase the net head of the turbine by permits a negative head at the outlet of the of
the runner.
Different types of draft tube are
a. Concial draft tube
b. Simple Elbow tube
 L.4 Principles of Turbomachines

c. Moody spreading tube

d. Draft tube with circulator inlet and rectangule outlet
Peltron Wheel
The pletron wheel is a wheel in which the water strikes the bucket along the tangent of the
runner. The energy available at the inlet of the turbine is only kinetic energy. It is named after the
American Engineer Lester Pelton (1829-1908)
Specification :
Impulse Turbine
Tangential flow
High head
Low specific speed Turbine
Components :
Nozzle
Penstock
Runner
Casing
Breaking Jet
Construction :
Penstock :
Penstock conveys the water from high level reservoir to the turbine.
It is made up of wood, steel, concrete structure based on head.
For regulating the water flow the penstock is provided with control valves.
To prevent the debries from entering int it, Screens called Transhracks are provided.
Nozzle and Regulating arrangement :
It is at the downstream offend fitted with an spear rod.
It converts the whole of hydraulic energy into high speed jet.
Speear Rod is a conical needle to regulate the water flow through the nozzle to obtain a good jet
of water at all loads.
 Lab Manual L.5

Spear needle is operated in axial direction.

Runner with Bucket :
The turbine rotor is called as Runner

It consists of circular disc on the periphery of which a number buckets are fixed.

It is mounted of a horizontal shaft supported in small trust hearings.

Each bucket has a splitter which distributes the striking jet equally into two halves of the
hemispherical bucket.

The angular deflection of the jet is 165-170°

It is to ensure that the water jet whilst leaving one bucket doesnot strike the back of the succeeding
bucket.

Also avoid the splashing of water and unnecessary interference which could impair the overall
efficiency.

Casing :

The function of the casing is to prevent the splashing of the water and the discharge water to the
tail race.

It also acts a safeguard against the accidents.

It is made of Cast iron/Steel plates

Breaking Jet :

When the nozzle is completely closed by moving the spear in the forward direction, the amount
of water striking the runner reduces to zero.

To stop the runner in a short time, a small nozzle is provided which directs the jet of water on the
back of the vanes. This jet of water is called as breaking jet.

Government of Peltron wheel :

The governing of the turbine is defined as the operation by which the speed of the turbine is kept
constant under all conditions of working.

Pelton wheel is governed by means of oil pressure governor.

Note : Refer the books for working Principle governing principle. Velocity diagram
 L.6 Principles of Turbomachines

Kaplan Turbine :
Kaplan turbine is a axial flow reaction turbine in which the shaft of the turbine is vertical. The
lower end of the shaft is made larger is called as “Hub or Boss”. The vanes are fixed on the hub and
acts as a runner. In kaplan turbine vanes on the hub are adjustable. Kaplan turbine is capable of
giving a high efficiency for a wide range of load conditions.
Specification :
Reation Turbine
Axial flow
Low head
High specific speed Turbine
Components :
Scroll casing
Guide Vane
Hub with Runner
Draft tube
Working Principle :
In Kaplan Turbine, the water from the tailstock enters the scroll casing and then moves to the
guide vanes. From the guide vanes water turns through 90° and flows axially through the runner. The
runner is in the form of boss with 3 to 6 vanes made of stainless steel equidistantly. Vanes attached
directly to the hub reduces the friction losses. The pitch of the runner blades is automatically adjusted
by the servomotor governing mechanism. Kaplan turbine are capable of taking overload 15-20% and
give a very high efficiency at all the gate openings while working at full load and part load condition.
The blade angles also get simultaneously adjusted and as such under all working conditions, water
enters and flow through the runner blades without shock.
Governing Mechanism :
The Kaplan turbine has double regulation which comprise the movement of guidevanes and
rotation of runner blades. The mechanism employs two servo motor (one controls the guide vane,
and the other operate on runner vane). The governing is done by the governers (servo motor) from
the inside of the hollow shaft of the turbine runner and the moment of piston is employed to twist the
blades thru suitable linkage. The double regulation a balance and most ssatisfactory relationship
 Lab Manual L.7

between the relative position of the guide and working vanes. Both the servomotors are synchronized.
They are actuated simultaneously and a high efficiency is maintained at all loads.
Note : Refer Fluid Mechanics and Machinery books for the following.
Differences between Kaplan Turbine and Francies Turbine, Impulse and Reaction Turbine, Velocity
triangle of Kaplan Turbine, characteristics of turbines.
Report :
Thus the Hydraulic Turbines working principle and characteristics were studied.
Questions :
1. Classify-Hydraulic Turbines
2. Explain the Governing of Pelton wheel
3. Explain the various characteristic curves of Hydraulic Turbines
4. Explain the Velocity triangle of pelton wheel
5. Explain the Velocity triangle of the Kaplan Turbine
6. Explain the differences between Kaplan and Francis Turbine
7. Explain the Degree of Reaction
8. Explain the working principle of Hydro power plant

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