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Introduction
Hydraulic turbines are pivotal devices in the realm of hydroelectric power generation.
Positioned strategically in water bodies like rivers or dams, these turbines leverage the
kinetic energy of flowing water to produce electricity. Characterized by blades or
buckets affixed to a rotor, the turbines operate by harnessing the force of water,
prompting the rotor to spin. This rotational energy is then transmitted through a shaft
connected to a generator. The generator, through electromagnetic induction, converts
the mechanical energy into electrical energy, facilitating the generation of power. Varied
types of hydraulic turbines, such as Pelton, Francis, Kaplan turbines, and Crossflow
turbines are designed to accommodate specific water flow conditions, contributing
significantly to sustainable and clean energy production.

Pelton turbine or Pelton wheel is a type of hydro turbine (specifically an impulse turbine) used
frequently in hydroelectric plants. These turbines are generally used for sites with heads greater
than 300 meters. This type of turbine was created during the gold rush in 1880 by Lester
Pelton. The water in a Pelton turbine is moving quickly and the turbine extracts energy from the
water by slowing the water down, which makes this an impulse turbine.

Francis turbine is a type of reaction turbine used most frequently in medium- or large-
scale hydroelectric plants. These turbines can be used for heads as low as 2 meters and as
high as 300 meters. Additionally, these turbines are beneficial as they work equally well when
positioned horizontally as they do when they are oriented vertically. Francis turbines are the
most frequently used turbines for hydropower plants. The water going through a Francis turbine
loses pressure, but stays at more or less the same speed, so it would be considered a reaction
turbine.

A Kaplan turbine is a type of propeller hydro turbine (specifically a reaction turbine) used
in hydroelectric plants. Water flows both in and out of Kaplan turbines along its rotational axis
(axial flow). What makes Kaplan turbines special is the blades can change their angle on
demand to maintain maximum efficiency for different flow rates of water.[2] Water flowing through
a Kaplan turbine loses pressure, this means that a Kaplan turbine is a reaction turbine (similar
to a Francis turbine).
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Crossflow turbines, sometimes known as Banki-Mitchell or Ossberger turbines (depending

on the country) are a type of hydro turbine (specifically an impulse turbine) that tends to be used
in smaller hydroelectric sites with power outputs between 5-100 kW. These turbines are useful
for a large range of hydraulic heads, from only 1.75 meters to 200 meters, although usually
crossflow turbines are chosen for heads below 40 meters. Crossflow turbines get energy from
water by reducing the velocity, the pressure stays the same, which is why they're impulse
turbines.

The hydraulic turbine works on the principle of Newton's second law of

motion. The hydraulic turbine blades are moved against the flow of
water, causing the water's momentum to vary. As the momentum
changes, a pressure force is created, which causes the turbine to
rotate.

History

The hydraulic turbine has a long period of development, its oldest and simplest form
being the waterwheel, first used in ancient Greece and subsequently adopted
throughout medieval Europe for the grinding of grain, etc. A French engineer, Benoit
Fourneyron, developed the first commercially successful hydraulic turbine (circa 1830).
Later Fourneyron built turbines for industrial purposes that achieved a speed of 2300
rpm, developing about 50 kW at an efficiency of over 80%.

Pelton Wheel
In 1880, Lester Allan Pelton patented the Pelton Wheel, an impulse turbine which draws energy
from moving water. Previous impulse turbines were extremely inefficient; the Pelton Wheel is
able to extract nearly all of the energy from a moving water stream and is still the preferred
turbine for hydroelectric power generation in cases where the water source has a high hydraulic
head and low flow.
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The Francis turbine was invented by James B Francis in the 1850s. Waterwheels had been

used to complete useful work for over 1,000 years, but they were inefficient. James

Francis applied mathematical principles when designing the Francis turbine and created a

turbine with an efficiency exceeding 90%.

This Kaplan turbine is one of the first three machines to be put into service in the United States.
Named for its Austrian inventor, Viktor Kaplan (1876-1934), the turbine was an outstanding
innovation, operating with a high, nearly constant efficiency over a wide load range. The
machine was built by S. Morgan Smith Company of York, Pennsylvania.

The Cross-flow turbine is a hydro turbine constructed and developed by Anthony Michell,
Donát Bánki, and the Fritz Ossberger. The turbine was first introduced by Michell in 1903,
and several years later, Ossberger registered the Cross-flow turbine in the company he
founded. That is why this turbine is sometimes called the Bánki-Michell turbine or Ossberger
turbine.

Formulas

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Diagrams
Pelton Turbine

Francis Turbine

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Kplan Turbine

Effectiveness

Hydraulic turbines stand out as highly effective devices in the realm of energy conversion,
showcasing their prowess in harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water for electricity
generation. Their effectiveness lies in the seamless translation of water's potential energy into
rotational mechanical energy through precision-engineered components like runners, wicket
gates, draft tubes, and spiral casings. This process ensures optimal efficiency, a hallmark of
modern turbine design, facilitating the extraction of maximum energy from water resources. The
adaptability of various turbine types to diverse head and flow conditions further underscores
their effectiveness, allowing for the efficient utilization of different hydrological settings. Beyond
their technical merits, hydraulic turbines contribute significantly to sustainability, relying on
renewable water resources and minimizing environmental impacts compared to conventional
fossil fuel-based power generation. Their reliability, long operational life, and responsiveness to
changes in electricity demand also enhance their effectiveness in providing stable and
adaptable contributions to power grids. While addressing environmental concerns remains
imperative, the overall effectiveness of hydraulic turbines positions them as key players in the
pursuit of clean and renewable energy solutions.

Advantages
Hydraulic turbines play a crucial role in power generation, leveraging the renewable energy of
flowing water. Their advantages include environmental sustainability, low greenhouse gas
emissions, high efficiency in energy conversion, and reliability in providing a consistent power
supply. With a long operational lifespan and versatility to adapt to different conditions, hydraulic
turbines contribute significantly to clean and reliable energy production. Additionally, these
turbines offer water management benefits, making them integral to holistic hydroelectric projects
that address multiple societal needs.

Disadvantages

hydraulic turbines, while offering renewable energy benefits, come with notable disadvantages.
Environmental concerns such as habitat disruption and community displacement accompany
the construction of dams for hydroelectric projects. High initial costs impede widespread
adoption, particularly in economically constrained regions, and not all locations are suitable for
such projects. Issues like sedimentation, dam failure risks, and impacts on aquatic life further
complicate their implementation.

Functionality
Hydraulic turbines are the prime
movers that convert the energy of the
falling water into a rotational
mechanical energy and consequently
to an electric energy through the use
of the generators that are
connected to the turbines. Turbines
consist of a row of blades that are
fixed on a rotating shaft or a
plate. The shaft rotates because of
the impact of the difference in velocity and pressure of the water striking the blades.
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Pelton turbine

Francis turbine
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Kplan turbine

Corss flow
turbine