‘219123, 12:12PM Difference between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
Difference between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
Differences Digital Electronics Electronics & Electrical
A turbine is a device which converts the energy of some fluid into rotational mechanical
energy. There are a number of turbines available based on the type of input fluid used such
as steam turbine, water turbine, gas turbines, etc.
Francis Turbine Kaplan Turbine
In this article, we will discuss about Francis turbine and Kaplan turbine and the key
differences between them, Both Francis turbine and Kaplan turbine are types of water
turbines, where the hydraulic energy of water is converted into mechanical energy (rotation
of turbine), Basically, both Francis and Kaplan turbines come under the category of reaction
turbine, which means in both cases, kinetic and pressure energy is required for operation.
The Francis turbine is an old water turbine, while the Kaplan turbine is the upgraded version
of the Francis turbine which means the limitations of the Francis turbine are rectified in
Kaplan turbine.
Therefore, we will differentiate the Francis turbine and Kaplan turbine by considering
various parameters such as definition, construction, working, operating conditions, ete. But,
before going into the differentiation, it is advantageous to know about the basics of Francis
turbine and Kaplan turbine.
What is a Francis Turbine?
A Francis turbine is a type of water turbine which converts the flow of water into rotational
mechanical energy. It was invented by James Bicheno Francis, a British-American civil
engineer.
In electric power generation, the Francis turbine is mainly used for low to medium water
heads. It consists of an outer ring of stationary guide blades fixed to the turbine casing and
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wa‘219123, 12:12PM Diference between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
an inner ring of rotating blades forming the runner. The flow of water to the turbine is
controlled by the guide blades. In case of the Francis turbine, the water flows radially inwards
and then its direction changes to downward while passing through the runner.
Since in the Francis turbine, the water passes over the rotating blades of the runner which
reduces the pressure and velocity of the water. This results in a reaction force which spins the
turbine
What is a Kaplan Turbine?
A Kaplan turbine is a propeller type water turbine invented by an Australian Engineer
Viktor Kaplan. In hydro-electric power plants, the Kaplan turbine is used for low heads and
large quantities of water.
The Kaplan turbine consists of automatically adjustable propeller blades. In case of Kaplan
turbine, the runner of the turbine receives water axially, i.e. the water flows radially inwards
through the regulating gates all around the sides and then changing the direction in the
runner of the turbine to axial flow. This results in a reaction force which spins the turbine.
Difference between Francis Turbine and Kaplan Turbine
Both Francis turbine and Kaplan turbine are reaction-type water turbines. However, there
are many differences between them which are highlighted in the following table
Basis of
Difference
Definition
Water head
Construction
Rate of water
flow
Francis Turbine
The Francis turbine is a reaction
type water turbine in which water
flows radially inwards and changes
to a downward direction while
passing through the runner.
Francis turbine is used for low to
medium water heads, It generally
varies from 100 m to 600 m.
The construction of the Francis
turbine is simple.
Francis turbine is used for medium.
rate of water flow.
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Kaplan Turbine
The Francis turbine is a
propeller-type water turbine
which has adjustable blades
and the runner receives
water axially.
Kaplan turbine is used for
low water heads, generally
100 meters.
The Kaplan turbine is
relatively complicated in
construction.
Kaplan turbine is used for
high rates of water flow
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Water flow
type
Number of
runner blades
Size
Losses
Efficiency
Direction of
shaft
Speed of
rotation
Type of
runner vanes
Speed
governing
system
Applications
Conclusion
Difference between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
In Francis turbine, the water enters
to the runner radially and leaves
axially. For this reason, it is also
called mixed flow turbine.
The number of blades in the runner
of the Francis turbine are generally
between 16 and 24.
The size of the Francis turbine is
larger.
Francis turbine has large number of
blades which causes large energy
loss due to friction.
Francis turbine is less efficient than
Kaplan turbine.
In Francis turbine, the mounting of
shaft may be horizontal or vertical
depending upon the requirement.
For the Francis turbine, the speed
of rotation of the turbine is less.
The specific speed of turbine varies
from 60 RPM to 300 RPM.
Francis turbine has fixed runner
vanes.
The governing system of Francis
turbine is simple.
Francis turbine is used in hydro-
electric power plants to produce
electricity, and also used in
irrigation pumping systems.
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In Kaplan turbine, water
flows axially, which means
the water enters and leaves
the runner in axial direction.
In Kaplan turbine, the
number of runner blades is
generally between 3 and 8.
The size of the Kaplan
turbine is relatively smaller
than the Francis turbine.
In Kaplan turbine, number of
blades are less, hence the
energy loss due to friction is
also less.
The efficiency of Kaplan
turbine is high compared to
Francis turbine.
The mounting of shaft in
Kaplan turbine is always in
vertical direction.
The speed of rotation of the
Kaplan turbine is high. The
specific speed varies from
600 to 1000 RPM
Kaplan turbine has
adjustable runner vanes.
The governing system of
Kaplan turbine is complex.
Kaplan turbine is widely
throughout the world to
generate electricity in hydro-
electric power plants.
sia12/9128, 19:12 PM Diference between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
The most significant difference between a Francis Turbine and a Kaplan Turbine is that the
Francis turbine is a mixed flow turbine suitable for low-to-medium water heads, while the
Kaplan turbine is an axial flow turbine which is suitable for very low water heads.
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