TURBINES

Turbines are defined as the hydraulic machines which convert hydraulic energy
into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is used in running an electric generator
which is directly coupled to the shaft of the turbine. Thus the mechanical energy is
converted into electrical energy.
PUMPS
Pumps are defined as the hydraulic machines which convert mechanical energy
into hydraulic energy are called pumps.
HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT
Hydraulic turbines are the machines which use the energy of water and convert it
to mechanical energy. The mechanical energy developed by a turbine is used in running
an electric generator which is directly coupled to the shaft of the turbine. The electric
generator thus develops electric power, which is known as hydro-electric power.
General Layout of a Hyraul!" Po#er Plant
Fig. shows a general layout of hydraulic power plant, which consists of:

!i" # dam constructed across a river to store water

!ii" Pipes of large diameters called penstocks
!iii" Turbines having different types vanes fitted to the wheel
!iv" Tail race , which is a channel which carries water away from the water
$%F&'&T&(') (F H%#$)
. Gro$$ Hea: The difference between the head race level and tail race level when
no water is flowing is known as *ross head. &t is denoted by Hg
+. Net Hea : &t is also called effective head and is defined as the head available at
the inlet of the turbine. &t is denoted by H
'et Head H , Hg - hf
W%ere
Hg , *ross head
hf , Head loss due to friction


+
.. . .
+
f
f LV
h
d g
=

CLASSI&ICATION O& HYDRAULIC TURBINES

The hydraulic turbines classified are
. #ccording to the type of energy at inlet
a" &mpulse turbine and
b" /eaction turbine
+. #ccording to the direction of flow through runner
a" Tangential flow turbine
b" /adial flow turbine
c" #0ial flow turbine and
d" 1i0ed flow turbine
2. #ccording to the head at the inlet of turbine
a" High head turbine
b" 1edium head turbine and
c" 3ow head turbine
.. #ccording to the specific speed of the turbine
+
a" 3ow specific speed turbine
b" 1edium specific speed turbine and
c" High specific speed turbine
IMPULSE TURBINE '
&f at the inlet of the turbine, the energy available is only kinetic energy, the
turbine is known impulse turbine.
E(a)*le'
Pelton wheel turbine
REACTION TURBINE'
&f at the inlet of the turbine, the water possesses kinetic energy as well
as pressure energy, the turbine is known as reaction turbine.
E(a)*le'
Francis turbine,
4aplan turbine.
RADIAL &LOW TURBINE '
&f the water flow in the radial direction through the runner, the turbine
is called radial flow turbine
/adial flow turbine

&nward radial flow turbine (utward radial flow turbine.
INWARD RADIAL &LOW TURBINE '
&f the water flows from outward to inward, radially the turbine is
known as inward radial flow turbine.
OUTWARD RADIAL &LOW TURBINE '
&f the water flow radially from inward to outwards, the turbine is
known as outward radial flow turbine.
2
A+IAL &LOW TURBINE '
&f the water flow through the runner along the direction parallel to the
a0is of rotation of the runner, the turbine is called a0ial flow turbine.
MI+ED &LOW TURBINE'
&f the water flows through the runner in the radial direction but leaves
in the direction parallel to a0is of rotation of the runner, the turbine is called mi0ed flow
turbine.
TANGENTIAL &LOW TURBINE '
&f the water flows along the tangent of the runner, the turbine is
known as tangential flow turbine.

.
E&&ICIENCIES O& A TURBINE
The following are the important efficiencies of a turbine
. Hydraulic efficiency !

h"
+. 1echanical efficiency !

m"
2. 5olumetric efficiency !

v"
.. (verall efficiency !

o"
HYDRAULIC E&&ICIENCY,

%-
&f is defined as the ratio of power given by water to the runner
(f a turbine to the power supplied by the water at the inlet of the turbine.

h
=

Power deliverd to runner
Power supplied at inlet

MECHANICAL E&&ICIENCY!

m"
&f is defined the ratio of the power available at the shaft of the
turbine to the power delivered to the runner.

m ,
Power at the shaft of the turbine
Power delivered by water to the runner

.OLUMETRIC E&&ICIENCY ,

/-
&f is defined the ratio of the volume of the water actually striking
the runner to the volume of water supplied to the turbine.

v ,
5olume of water actually striking the water
5olume of water supplied to the turbine

O.ERALL E&&ICIENCY ,

o"
&f is defined as the ratio of power available at the shaft of the turbine
to the power supplied by the water at the inlet of the turbine.

o ,
5olume available at theshaft of the turbine
Power supplied at the inlet of the turbine
6
PELTON WHEEL
The only hydraulic turbine of the impulse type in common use, is named after
an #merican engineer 3aster # Pelton, who contributed much to its development around
the year 778. Therefore this machine is known as Pelton turbine or Pelton wheel. &t is an
efficient machine particularly suited to high heads.
Pelton wheel is well suited for operating under high heads. # pelton turbine has
one or more no99les discharging :ets of water which strike a series of buckets mounted on
the periphery of a circular disc. The runner consists of a circular disc with a number of
buckets evenly spaced round its periphery. The buckets have a shape of a double semi-
ellipsoidal cups. The pelton bucket is designed to deflect the :et back through ;6 which
is the ma0imum angle possible without the return :et interfering with the ne0t bucket
The rotor consists of a large circular disc or wheel on which a number !seldom
less than 6" of spoon shaped buckets are spaced uniformly round is periphery as shown
in Figure . The wheel is driven by :ets of water being discharged at atmospheric pressure
from pressure no99les. The no99les are mounted so that each directs a :et along a tangent
to the circle through the centres of the buckets . $own the centre of each bucket, there is
a splitter ridge which divides the :et into two e<ual streams which flow round the smooth
inner surface of the bucket and leaves the bucket with a relative velocity almost opposite
in direction to the original :et.

;
The main parts of the pelton turbine are=
. 'o99le and flow regulating arrangement
+. /unner and buckets
2. >asing and
.. ?reaking :et
No00le an flo# Re1ulat!n1 Arran1e)ent
The amount of water striking the buckets !vanes" of the runner is controlled by
providing a spear in the no99le as shown in fig. The spear is a conical needle which is
operated either by a hand wheel or automatically in an a0ial direction depending upon the
si9e of the unit. @hen the spear is pushed forward into the no99le the amount of water
striking the runner is reduced. (n the other hand, if the spear is pushed back, the amount
of water striking the runner increases.

A
Runner #!t% Bu"2et$
Fig shows the runner of a pelton wheel. &t consists of a circular disc on the periphery
of which a number of buckets evenly spaced are fi0ed. The shape of the buckets is of a
double hemispherical cup or bowl. %ach bucket is divided into two symmetrical parts by
a dividing wall which is known as splitter.

The :et of water strikes on the splitter. The splitter divides the :et into two e<ual parts
and the comes out at the outer edge of the bucket. The buckets are shaped in such a way
that the :et gets deflected through ;8
8
or A8
8
. The buckets are made of cast iron, cast
steel bron9e or stainless steel depending upon the head at the inlet of the turbine.
Ca$!n1
7
The function of the casing is to prevent the splashing of the water and to discharge
water to tail race. &t also acts as safeguard against accidents. &t is made of cast iron or
fabricated steel plates. The casing of the pelton wheel does not perform any hydraulic
function.
Brea2!n1 3et
@hen the no99le is completely closed by moving the spear in the forward direction
the amount of water striking the runner reduces to 9ero. ?ut the runner due to inertia goes
on revolving for a long time. To stop the runner in a short time, a small no99le is provided
which directs the :et of water on the back of the vanes. This :et of water is called breaking
:et.
L!)!tat!on of a Pelton Tur4!ne'
." The Pelton wheel is efficient and reliable when operating under large heads.
+." To generate a given output power under a smaller head, the rate of flow through the
turbine has to be higher which re<uires an increase in the :et diameter
2." The number of :ets are usually limited to . or ; per wheel.
.." The increases in :et diameter in turn increases the wheel diameter. Therefore the
machine becomes unduly large, bulky and slow-running. &n practice, turbines of the
reaction type are more suitable for lower heads.
.ELOCITY TRIANGLES AND WOR5 DONE &OR PELTON WHEEL6

Fig shows the shape of the raues or buckets of the pelton wheel. The
set of water from the no99le strikes the bucket at the splitten which splits up the set into
two parts. These part of the set, glides over the inner surfaces and comes out at the outer
edge.

B
The inlet velocity triangle is drawn at the splitter and outlet velocity
triangle is drawn at the outer edge of the bucket.

3et
H , 'et Head artily on the pelton wheel.
, Hg - hf
W%ere'
Hg , *ross head
hf ,
+
.
+
FLV
D g
$ , $iameter of the wheel
' , )peed of the wheel
5, 5elocity of :et at inlet
5, +gH
u , u , u+ ,
;8
DN

The velocity triangle at inlet will be a straight line where
5r , 5 - u , 5 - C
5w , 5
8 and 8 = =
OUTLET .ELOCITY TRIANGLE
5r+ , 5r
8
5w+ , 5r+ >os
+
u
The force e0erted by the :et of water.
F0 , [ ]
+
aV Vw Vw +
@ork done by the :et on the runner per second
, F0 D u
, [ ]
+
'mEsec aV Vw Vw u +
Power given to the runner by the :et
,
[ ]
+

888
aV Vw Vw u
kw
+

@ork done Es per unit weight of water striking E s

,
[ ]
+

@eight of water striking E s
aV Vw Vw u +

[ ]
[ ]
+

aV Vw Vw
aV g
Vw Vw u
g

+
=

= +
Hyraul!" eff!"!en"y'

@ork done per second
. sec
h
K Eofjetper ond
=

+

. of :et per second , ! "

+
K E aV V

[ ]
+
+

+
h
aV Vw Vw u
aV V

+
=

[ ]
+
+

+
,
Vw Vw
u
V
+

'ow
5w , 5
5r , 5 - u
5r+ , 5 - u
5w+ , 5r+ >os
u
+

, !5 - u " cos
u
)ubstituting the values of 5w and 5w+

[ ]

+

+ ! " cos
h
V V u u u
V

+
=

[ ]

+

+ ! " cos V u V u
u
V
+
=

+! "F cos G
h
V u u
V

+
=
Po!nt$ to 4e Re)e)4ere for *elton #%eel
i" The velocity of the :et at inlet
5 , >vH+gH
>v , >o-efficiency of velocity
, 8.B7 or 8.BB
H , 'et head on turbine
ii" The velocity of wheel !u" is given by u,
+
;8
,
, 6 I ,6 I8.6m
+
gH
DN
D
m
d
D
Z
d

+gH
where

, )peed ratio
The value of speed ratio varies from 8..2 to 8..B.
iii"The angle of deflection of the :et through buckets is taken at ;6
8
if no angle of
deflection is given
iv" The mean diameter or the pitch diameter $ of the pelton wheel is given by
u,
;8
DN

v" Jet ratio it is defined as the ratio of the pitch diameter $ of the pelton wheel to the
diameter of the :et d. &t is denoted by KmL and is given by
+
,
D
m
d
vi" 'umber of buckets on a runner is given by
, 6 I ,6 I8.6m
+
D
Z
d
@here m , :et ratio
vii" 'umber of :ets. &t is obtained by dividing the total rate of flow through the turbine by
the rate of flow of water through a single :et.
DESIGN O& PELTON WHEEL
$esign of pelton wheel means the following data is to be determine.
. $iameter of the :et !d"
+. $iameter of wheel !$"
2. @idth of the buckets which is 60d
.. $epth of the buckets which is .+0d
6. 'umber of buckets on the wheel
)i9e of buckets means the width and depth of the buckets.
RADIAL &LOW REACTION TURBINES
/eaction turbine means that the water at the inlet of the turbine possesses
kinetic energy as well as pressure energy. #s the water flows through the runner, a
part of pressure energy goes on changing into kinetic energy. Thus the water through
the runner is under pressure. The runner is completely enclosed in an air - tight
casing and casing and the runner is always full of water.
/adial flow turbine are those turbines in which the water flows in the radial
direction. The water may flow radially from outwards to inwards or from inwards to
outwards
Ma!n *art$ of ra!al flo# Rea"t!on Tur4!ne
The main parts of a radial flow reaction turbine are:
. >asing
+. *uide mechanism
2. /unner, and
2
.. $raft tube.

Ca$!n1'
>asing and runner are always a full of water. The water from the penstocks
enters the casing which is of spiral shape in which area of cross-section of the casing
goes on decreasing gradually. The casing completely surrounds the runner of the
turbine. The casing is made of spiral shape , so that the water enter the runner at
constant velocity through out the circumference of the runner. The casing is made of
concrete, cast steel or plate steel.
Gu!e Me"%an!$)'
&t consists of a stationary circular wheel all round the runner of the
turbine. The stationary guide vanes are fi0es on the guide mechanism. The guide
vanes allow the water to strike the vanes fi0ed on the runner without shock at inlet.
#lso by a suitable arrangement, the width between two ad:acent vanes of guide
mechanism can be altered so that the amount of water striking the runner can be
varied.
Runner'
&t is a circular wheel on which a series of radial curved vanes are fi0ed. The
surface of the vanes are made very smooth. The radial curved are so shaped that the
.
water enters and leaves the runner without shock. The runners are made of cast steel,
cast iron or stainless steel. They are keyed to the shaft.
Draft-tu4e'
The pressure at the e0it of the runner of a reaction turbine is generally less
than atmospheric pressure. The water at e0it cannot be directly discharged to the tail
race. # tube or pipe of gradually increasing area is used for discharged water from the
e0it of the turbine to the tail race. This tube of increasing area is called draft tube.
I)*ortant Def!n!t!on$
The following terms are generally used in case of reaction radial flow
turbines which are defined as:
S*ee Rat!o'
The speed ratio is defined as ,

+
u
gH
@here
u , Tangential velocity of wheel at inlet.
&lo# rat!o'
The ratio of the velocity of flow at inlet !5f" to the velocity given +gH is
known as flow ratio or it is given as

+
f V
gH
@here
H , head on turbine
D!$"%ar1e of t%e Tur4!ne7
The discharge through a reaction radial flow turbine is given by
M ,

$?5f ,

$+?+5f+
@here
$ , $iameter of runner at inlet
? , @idth of runner at inlet
5f, 5elocity of flow at inlet
6
$+,?+,5f+ , >orresponding values at outlet
'ote
i" &f the thickness of vanes are taken in to consideration, then the area through
which flow takes places is given by !

$ -nt"
@here n , 'umber of vanes on runner
t, Thickness of each vane
Then discharge
M , !

$ -nt"?5f
ii" The head !H" on the turbine is given by H ,

+
I
+
p V
g g
INWARD RADIAL &LOW TURBINE
&f the water flows from outwards to inwards through the runner, the turbine
is known as inward radial flow turbine. The guiding wheel consists of guide vanes
which direct the water to enter the runner which consists of moving vanes.
The water flows over the moving vanes in the inward radial direction and is
discharged at the runner diameter of the runner. The outer diameter of the runner is
the inlet and the inner diameter is the outlet.
.elo"!ty Tr!an1le$ an Wor2 one 4y #ater on runner
Let
;
. w , 5elocity of whirl at
5w+ , 5elocity of whirl at outlet
u,u+ , tangential velocity of wheel at inlet and outlet
, /unner vane angle at inlet
5 , #bsolute velocity of water leaving the guide vanes
5r ,/elative velocity of water entering the runner blade

, 5ane angle at outlet

5f and 5f+ , velocity of flow at inlet and o

,
;8
D N
u

,
+
+ ,
;8
D N
u

@here
$ , outer diameter of runner
$+ , inner diameter of runner
' , )peed of the turbine in r.p.m.
The work done per second per unit weight of water per second
,
@ork done per second
@eight of water striking per second
,
[ ] + + w w Q V u V u
Qg

A
@ ,
[ ] + + w w V u V u
g

'ote
i" &f

is an obtuse angle then -ve sign is taken

ii" &f

,B8
8
, then + w V , 8 and work done per second unit weight strikingEs becomes
as @ ,
[ ] w V u
g
iii" &f the discharge is radial at outlet , then + w V ,8
iv" Hydraulic efficiency
[ ]
,
w
h
V u
gH

Out#ar ra!al &lo# rea"t!on Tur4!ne

The outward radial flow reaction turbine in which the water from
casing enters the stationary guide wheel. The guide wheel consists of guide vanes which
direct water to enter the runner which is around the stationary guide wheel. The water
flows through the vanes of the runner in the outward radial direction and is discharge at
the outer diameter of the runner. The inner diameter of the runner is inlet and outer
diameter is the outlet.

The velocity triangles at inlet and outlet will be drawn by the same
procedure as inward flow turbine.
&RANCIS TURBINE
7
The inward flow reaction turbine having radial discharge at outlet is
known as Francis Turbine, after the name of J.?. Francis an #merican engineer who
in the beginning designed inward radial radial flow reaction type of turbine.
&n the Francis turbine, the water enters the runner of the turbines in the
radial direction at outlet and leaves in the a0ial direction at the inlet of the runner.
# Francis turbine comprises mainly the four components:
!i" sprical casing,
!ii" guide on stay vanes,
!iii" runner blades,
!v" draft-tube
S*!ral Ca$!n1 '
1ost of these machines have vertical shafts although some smaller machines of
this type have hori9ontal shaft. The fluid enters from the penstock !pipeline leading to the
turbine from the reservoir at high altitude" to a spiral casing which completely surrounds
the runner. This casing is known as scroll casing or volute. 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 guide vane.
B
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 guide vanes
or stay vanes.
Gu!e or Stay /ane'
The basic purpose of the guide vanes or stay vanes is to convert a part of
pressure energy of the fluid at its entrance to the kinetic energy and then to direct the
fluid on to the runner blades at the angle appropriate to the design. 1oreover, the guide
vanes are pivoted and can be turned by a suitable governing mechanism to regulate the
flow while the load changes. The guide vanes are also known as wicket gates. The guide
vanes impart a tangential velocity and hence an angular momentum to the water before its
entry to the runner. The flow in the runner of a Francis turbine is not purely radial but a
combination of radial and tangential. The flow is inward, i.e. from the periphery towards
the centre. The height of the runner depends upon the specific speed. The height increases
with the increase in the specific speed. The main direction of flow change as water passes
through the runner and is finally turned into the a0ial direction while entering the draft
tube.
Draft tu4e'
The draft tube is a conduit which connects the runner e0it to the tail race
where the water is being finally discharged from the turbine. The primary function of the
draft tube is to reduce the velocity of the discharged water to minimi9e the loss of kinetic
energy at the outlet. This permits the turbine to be set above the tail water without any
appreciable drop of available head. # clear understanding of the function of the draft tube
in any reaction turbine, in fact, is very important for the purpose of its design. The
purpose of providing a draft tube will be better understood if we carefully study the net
available head across a reaction turbine.
+8
The velocity triangle at inlet and outlet of the Francis turbines are
drawn in the same way as incase of inward flow reaction turbine. #s in case of
Francis turbine, the discharge is radial at outlet, the velocity of whirl at outlet5w+ will
be 9ero.

A+IAL &LOW REACTION TURBINE
&f the water parallel to the a0is of the rotation of the shaft, the turbine is known
as a0ial flow turbine. #nd if the head at the inlet of the turbine of the turbine is the
sum of pressure energy and kinetic energy and during the flow of water through
runner a part of pressure energy is converted into kinetic energy, the turbine is known
as reaction turbine.
+
For the a0ial flow reaction turbine the shaft of the turbine is vertical. The lower
end of the shaft is made larger which is known as KhubN or boss. The vanes are fi0ed
on the and hence acts as a runner for a0ial flow reaction turbine.
The following are the important type of a0ial flow reaction turbines
. Propeller Turbine and
+. 4aplan Turbine
Pro*eller Tur4!ne'
The vanes are fi0ed to the hub and they are not ad:ustable, the runner is known as
propeller turbine.
5a*lan Tur4!ne
The vanes on the hub are ad:ustable the turbine is known as a 4aplan turbine.
This turbine is suitable where a large <uantity of water at low heads is available.
Fig shows the runner of a 4aplan turbine, which consists of a hub fi0ed to the shaft. (n
the hub, the ad:ustable vanes are fi0ed as shown in fig.
The main parts of 4aplan turbine are :
. )croll casing
+. *uide vanes mechanism
2. Hub with vanes or runner of the turbine , and
.. $raft tube.

++
1ain components of 4aplan turbine
Fig shows all main parts of a 4aplan turbine. The water from penstock enters the
scroll casing and then moves to the guide vanes. Form the guide vanes, the water
turns through B8
8
and flows a0ially through the runner as shown in fig.
The discharge through the runner is obtained as
M ,
@here
$o, (uter $iameter of the runner
$b , $iameter of hub
5f , 5elocity of flow at inlet
SPECI&IC SPEED
+2
&t is defined as the speed of a turbine which is identical in shape,
geometrical dimensions, blade angles, gate opening etc., with the actual turbine but of
such a si9e that it will develop unit power when working under unit head. &t is denoted by
the symbol 's. The specific speed is used in comparing the different types of turbines as
every type of turbine has different specific speed.
&n 1.4.). units, unit power is taken as one horse power and unit head as
one meter. ?ut in ).&. units, unit power is taken as one kilowatt and unit head as one
meter.
Der!/at!on of t%e $*e"!f!" $*ee6
The overall efficiency !
o

" of any turbine is given by,

o

,
)haft Power
@ater Power

Power developed
888
g q H
=


888

g q H
=

@here
H , Head under which the turbine is working
M , $ischarge through turbine
P , Power developed or shaft power.
From e<uation !i",
P ,
o

D
888
g q H

! and are constant"
o
Q H as

'ow let
+.

$ , $iameter of actual turbine,
' , )peed of actual turbine,
u , Tangential velocity of the turbine,
' )pecific speed of the turbine,
5 , #bsolute velocity of water.
s
=
The absolute velocity, tangential velocity and head on the turbine are related as,
, where 5 u V H

H

?ut the tangential velocity u is given by
,
;8
DN
u

DN

From e<uation !iii" and !iv", @e have

or $
H
H DN
N

The discharge through turbine is given by
M , #rea D 5elocity
?ut #rea

? D $

$
+

#nd 5elocity
H

$
+
D
H

+


H
H
N

2E +
+ +
H H
H
N N

)ubstituting the value of M in e<uation !ii", @e get

2E + 6E +
+ +
H H
H
N N

6E+
+
,
H
K
N
= @here 4 , >onstant of proportionality.
+6
&f P , ,H ,, the speed ' , )pecific speed 's . )ubstituting these values in the above
e<uation, @e get

6E +
+
+

or
s
s
K
N K
N

= =


6E + +
+ +
+ 6E +
P , or
s s
H N p
N N
N H
=


+
6E + 6E. s
N p N p
N
H H
= =
&n e<uation!7.+7", if P is taken in metric horse power the specific speed is obtained in
1.4.). units. ?ut if P is taken in kilowatts, the specific speed is obtained in ).&. units.
S!1n!f!"an"e of $*e"!f!" $*ee6
)pecific speed plays an important role for selecting the type of
the turbine. #lso the performance of a turbine can be predicted by knowing the specific
speed of the turbine. The type of turbine for different specific speed is given in Table 7.
as:

).'o.
)pecific speed
Types of turbine
!1.4.)." !).&."
+;
.
+.
2.
..
8 to 26
26 to ;8
;8 to 288
288 to 888

7.6 to 28
28 to 6
6 to ++6
++6 to 7;8
Pelt on wheel with single :et
Pelton wheel with two or more :ets
Francis turbine
4aplan or propeller turbine
8 Perfor)an"e 9 "%ara"ter!$t!" "ur/e for !fferent tur4!ne$

+A