Lecture 8
Page 4: What is a Turbine?
Definition of a Turbine
A turbine is a device that converts water energy into mechanical energy. It is an
improved version of the old water wheel used in mills.
Basic Concept:
• Water has potential energy (due to height) and kinetic energy (due to
motion).
• The turbine uses this energy to rotate its blades.
• This rotation is transferred to a generator, which produces electricity.
Page 5: Why Use Metal Instead of Wood?
• Wooden waterwheels can freeze in cold weather and become unbalanced,
reducing efficiency.
• Wood expands and contracts with water, causing leaks and breakdowns.
• Metal turbines last much longer (100+ years) and work in all seasons.
Page 6-7: Evolution of Hydraulic Turbines
Turbines were modernized in the 19th century to make them more efficient.
How Hydraulic Turbines Work:
• Water enters the turbine with force.
• The blades rotate when hit by moving water.
• The rotating shaft is connected to a generator, producing electricity.
Fun Fact: The word “turbine” means something that spins or rotates.
Page 8-9: Types of Water Turbines
Turbines are divided into two main types based on how they convert water
energy:
1️. Impulse Turbines (Velocity Turbines)
• Convert all water energy into speed before hitting the blades.
• Water pressure remains the same as the atmospheric pressure inside the
turbine.
• Best for high heads (big waterfalls or dams).
• Examples: Pelton Turbine, Turgo Turbine, Cross-Flow Turbine.
2️. Reaction Turbines (Pressure Turbines)
• Use both water pressure and speed to generate energy.
• Water pressure decreases as it moves through the turbine.
• Best for medium and low heads (rivers and smaller dams).
• Examples: Francis Turbine, Kaplan Turbine, Deriaz Turbine.
Impulse Turbines (Velocity Turbines)
Page 10: Impulse Turbines – How They Work
• Impulse turbines work best with high heads (waterfalls or tall dams).
• Water is directed through a nozzle, increasing its speed.
• The high-speed jet hits the turbine blades, making them rotate.
Page 11-12: Pelton Turbine (Impulse Type)
Invented by: Lester Pelton (1880)
Used for: High heads (300m-2000m)
Efficiency: 88% (very high)
How It Works:
1. Water from a high dam or waterfall flows through a penstock (pipe).
2. The penstock directs water to a nozzle, increasing its speed.
3. The water jet hits the Pelton wheel’s buckets, making it spin.
4. Water loses energy and falls into the tailrace (exit channel).
Main Parts of a Pelton Turbine:
1. Nozzle & Spear – Controls water flow.
2. Runner & Buckets – The wheel with special metal cups (buckets).
3. Casing – Covers the turbine for protection.
4. Braking Jet – Stops the turbine when needed.
Page 18-20: Working of a Pelton Turbine
Key Points:
• Water enters at a 1° to 3° angle and exits at 165° to 170°.
• The bucket’s special shape ensures maximum energy transfer.
• More power can be generated using two Pelton wheels on one shaft.
Page 21-23: Turgo Impulse Turbine
Invented by: Eric Crewdson (1920)
Used for: Medium heads
Efficiency: 87%
Difference from Pelton:
• The water jet hits at an angle instead of perpendicularly.
• Spins faster, allowing direct connection to a generator.
• Handles higher water flow rates than Pelton turbines.
Page 29-36: Cross-Flow Impulse Turbine
1. Also called: Banki or Michell Turbine.
2. Used for: Low to medium heads (1.75m to 200m)
3. Best for: Mini and micro hydropower plants
How It Works:
1. Water enters as a flat sheet (not a jet).
2. It passes through the blades twice, increasing efficiency.
3. It self-cleans by removing debris from the blades.
Advantages:
• Works for a wide range of heads.
• Low-cost and easy maintenance.
• Used in small hydropower projects (5-100 kW output).
Reaction Turbines (Pressure Turbines)
Page 37-40: What is a Reaction Turbine?
Key Difference from Impulse Turbines:
• Impulse Turbines: Water loses all pressure before hitting the blades.
• Reaction Turbines: Water loses pressure gradually as it moves through.
Main Parts of a Reaction Turbine:
1. Casing – Holds water under pressure.
2. Guide Vanes – Direct water toward the runner blades.
3. Runner Blades – Convert water energy into rotation.
4. Draft Tube – Helps recover pressure and improve efficiency.
Reaction Turbines (Continued)
Page 41-46: Francis Turbine
Invented by: James B. Francis
Used for: Medium heads (45m-400m)
Efficiency: Up to 90%
How It Works:
1. Water enters through a spiral casing and moves toward the runner blades.
2. Guide vanes direct the flow at an optimum angle.
3. Water pressure decreases as it moves through the runner blades.
4. The runner spins, converting water energy into rotational energy.
5. The draft tube slows down the water and recovers some lost energy.
Key Features:
• Mixed flow: Water enters radially (from the sides) and exits axially
(through the centre).
• Used in large hydroelectric power plants.
• Works efficiently under varying water flow conditions.
Advantages of Francis Turbine:
• Highly efficient for medium water heads.
• Can handle fluctuating water flow rates.
• Widely used in hydroelectric power stations worldwide.
Page 47-53: Kaplan Turbine
Invented by: Viktor Kaplan (1919)
Used for: Low heads (16m-70m), high water flow
Efficiency: Over 90%
How It Works:
1. Water enters through a scroll-shaped casing.
2. Wicket gates (adjustable guide vanes) control the water flow.
3. Water hits the propeller-shaped runner, making it spin.
4. The runner blades automatically adjust their angle based on water flow.
5. Water exits through the draft tube, which recovers some lost energy.
Advantages of Kaplan Turbine:
• Best for rivers and dams with high water flow and low height.
• Adjustable blades improve efficiency under different conditions.
• Commonly used in modern hydroelectric power stations.
Fun Fact: Small Kaplan turbines can generate power from as little as 2 feet of
water head.
Page 54-58: Deriaz Turbine
Invented by: Paul Deriaz (1956)
Used for: Medium heads (20m-100m), variable water flow
Efficiency: Higher than Kaplan for part-load conditions
How It Works:
• Similar to the Kaplan turbine but with diagonal flow instead of axial.
• Has adjustable blades, allowing it to work efficiently in different water
flow conditions.
• Often used in pumped storage plants, where it can act as both a turbine and
a pump.
Advantages of Deriaz Turbine:
• More efficient than Kaplan at lower loads.
• Can work in power stations with varying water levels.
• Used in reversible hydro plants where water is pumped back uphill.
Page 59-62: Inward vs. Outward Flow Turbines
Inward Flow Turbine:
• Water enters from the outer side and moves toward the center.
• Example: Kaplan Turbine.
Outward Flow Turbine:
• Water enters from the center and moves outward.
• Example: Older Francis turbines (not commonly used today).
Key Concept:
• Most modern turbines use inward flow because it is more efficient.
Page 63-65: Velocity Triangles in Turbines
Definition:
A velocity triangle is a diagram that shows how water moves
through a turbine blade.
Why It’s Important:
• Helps calculate turbine efficiency.
• Used to determine blade angles for maximum power generation.
Main Velocity Components:
1. Absolute velocity (V): Speed of water before hitting the blade.
2. Relative velocity (Vr): Speed of water after hitting the blade.
3. Blade velocity (U): Speed at which the turbine blade moves.
Key Concept: The better the angle of water hitting the blade, the higher the
efficiency.
Final Summary (Page 70-74)
Impulse Turbines (Pelton, Turgo, Cross-Flow) use high-speed water jets.
Reaction Turbines (Francis, Kaplan, Deriaz) use pressure changes.
Velocity triangles help in turbine design and efficiency calculations.
Choosing the Right Turbine:
• High heads (over 300m)? → Use Pelton Turbine.
• Medium heads (45m-400m)? → Use Francis Turbine.
• Low heads (16m-70m)? → Use Kaplan Turbine.
• Changing flow conditions? → Use Deriaz Turbine.
Final Thought: Hydropower turbines are an essential part of clean energy
production, and choosing the right one is key for efficient power generation.
