Chapters 5

Introduction
to
Hydraulic Turbines

1
 Definition of A Turbine Machine

Turbines are Energy Developing machines.

Turbines convert Hydraulic Energy into

Mechanical Energy.

The Mechanical Energy developed by the

turbines is used in running an electric generator,
which is directly connected, to the shaft of the
electrical generator.

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 Hydraulic turbines are: Impulse and Reaction

Three most popular hydraulic turbines are :

Pelton wheel (Pelton turbine)

Kaplan turbine (Propeller turbine)
Francis turbine

3
 General layout of Hydro-Power Plant

4
 General layout of Hydro-Power Plant

5
 General layout of Hydro-Power Plant

a) Reservoir
Reservoirs ensure supply of water through out the year, by storing
water during rainy season and supplying the same during dry
season.

b) Dam
The function of the dam is to increase the reservoir capacity and to
increase the working head of the turbine.

c) Penstock
A pipe between dam and turbine is known as penstock. It will carry
the water from dam to turbine. Penstock is commonly made of steel
pipes covered with RCC.

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 General layout of Hydro-Power Plant
d) Surge tank/Forebay
When the rate of water flow through the penstock is suddenly
decreased, the pressure inside the penstock will increase suddenly
due to water hammer and thereby damage the penstock.

Surge tank/Forebay is constructed between the dam and turbine. It will

act as a pressure regulator during variable loads.

e) Turbine
Turbines convert the kinetic and potential energy of water into
mechanical energy to produce electric power.

f) Generator and Transformer

Electric generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. A
step up transformer will increase the voltage for loss free
7 transmission.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydraulic
Power Plants
Advantages of hydraulic power plants
Operating cost is very low
Less Maintenance cost and less manpower required
Pollution free
Quick to start and easy to synchronize
Can be used for irrigation and flood control
Long plant life.

Disadvantages of Hydraulic Power Plants

Initial cost of total plant is comparatively high
Power generation depends on availability of water
Cost of transmission is high since most of the plants are in remote areas
Project duration is long.

8
 Classification of Turbines
Turbines are classified according to several considerations as
indicated below.

i) Based on working principle

a) Impulse turbine
b) Reaction turbine

9
Impulse Turbine:
The pressure of liquid does not change while flowing through the rotor
of the machine. In Impulse Turbines pressure change occur only in
the nozzles of the machine.
One such example of
impulse turbine is Pelton Wheel.

Reaction Turbine:
The pressure of liquid changes while it flows through the rotor of the
machine. The change in fluid velocity and reduction in its pressure
causes a reaction on the turbine blades; this is where from the name
Reaction Turbine may have been derived.

Francis and Kaplan Turbines

fall in the category of Reaction Turbines.

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Cont
ii) Based on working media
a) Hydraulic turbine
b) Steam turbine
c) Gas turbine
d) Wind Turbine

iii) Based on head

Head is the elevation difference of reservoir water level and
discharge water level.

a) High head turbine (Above 250 m) Pelton Turbine

b) Medium head turbine (60 250 m) Francis Turbine
c) Low head turbine (Below 60 m) Kaplan Turbine

11
Cont
iv) Based on specific speed

Turbines can be classified based on Specific Speed. Specific speed is

defined as the speed in rpm of a geometrically similar turbine,
which is identical in shape, dimensions, blade angles and gate
openings with the actual turbine working under unit head and
developing unit power. Specific speed is used to compare the
turbines and is denoted by Ns.

Specific speed Ns = N Power / H5/4

a) Low specific speed (8.5 30) - Pelton Turbine

b) Medium specific speed (50 340) - Francis Turbine
c) High specific speed (255 860) - Kaplan Turbine
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Cont
v) Based on disposition of turbine main shaft
a) Horizontal shaft
b) Vertical shaft

vi) Based on flow through the runner

a) Axial flow - Kaplan Turbine
b) Mixed flow - Francis Turbine
c) Tangential flow - Pelton Turbine

13
 Review Questions
1. Define the hydraulic turbine.
2. Draw a general layout of hydro-power plant showing its
components.
3. Mention the advantages and disadvantages of hydro-power
plant.
4. Draw a comparison between impulse and reaction turbines.
5. Classify hydraulic turbines according to:
Working principle
Working media
Head
Specific Speed
Disposition of turbine main shaft
Flow path (direction) in the runner

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