HYDRAULIC TURBINES

1.Introduction :
Hydraulic (water) turbines are the machines which convert the water energy
(Hydro power) into Mechanical energy. The water energy may be either in the form of
potential energy as we find in dams, reservoirs, or in the form of kinetic energy in flowing
water. The shaft of the turbine directly coupled to the electric generator which converts
mechanical energy in to electrical energy. This is known as " Hydro-Electric power".

2.Classification of Hydraulic Turbines :

Water turbines are classified into various kinds according to i) the action of water
on blades, ii) based on the direction of fluid flow through the runner and iii) the specific
speed of the machine.
(i) Based on the action of Water on Blades :
These may be classified into:1) Impulse type and 2) Reaction type
In impulse turbine, the pressure of the flowing fluid over the runner is constant and
generally equal to an atmospheric pressure. All the available potential energy at inlet will
be completely converted into kinetic energy using nozzles, which in turn utilized through a
purely impulse effect to produce work. Therefore, in impulse turbine, the available energy
at the inlet of a turbine is only the kinetic energy.
In reaction turbine, the turbine casing is filled with water and the water pressure
changes during flow through the rotor in addition to kinetic energy from nozzle (fixed
blades). As a whole, both the pressure energy and kinetic energy are available at the inlet of
reaction turbines for producing power.
(ii) Based on the direction of Flow of Fluid through Runner :
Hydraulic machines are classified into :
a) Tangential or peripheral flow
b) Radial inward or outward flow
c) Mixed or diagonal flow
d) Axial flow types.
a) Tangential Flow Machines :
In tangential flow turbines, the water flows along the tangent to the path of rotation
of the runner. Example: Pelton wheel
b) Radial Flow Machines :
In radial flow machine, the water flows along the radial direction and flow remains
normal to the axis of rotation as it passes through the runner. It may be inward flow or
outward flow.
In Inward flow turbines, the water enters at the outer periphery and passes through
the runner inwardly towards the axis of rotation and finally leaves at inner periphery.
Example: Francis turbine. In outward flow machines the flow direction is opposite to the
inward flow machines.
Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

2
c) Mixed or Diagonal Flow :
In this type of turbine, the flow of fluid may enter at the outer periphery, passes over
the runner inwardly and leaves axially or parallel to the axis of rotation and vice-versa.
Examples: Modern Francis turbine, Deriaz turbine.
d)Axial Flow Devices :
In this type of turbine, the water flows along the direction parallel to the axis of
rotation. Examples: Kaplan turbine, propeller turbine etc.,
(iii) Based on Specific Speed :
Hydraulic turbines are classified into :
(a) Low Specific Speed: Which employs high head in the range of 200m
up to 1700 m. These machines requires low discharge. Examples: Pelton wheel.
NS = 10 to 30 single jet and 30 to 50 for double jet Pelton wheel.
(b) Medium Specific Speed : Which employs moderate heads in the range of 50m to
200 m. Example: Francis turbine, NS = 60 to 400.
(c) High Specific Speed : Which employs very low heads in the range of 2.5 m to 50
m. These requires high discharge. Examples: Kaplan, Propeller etc., NS = 300 to
1000.

3 Pelton Wheel :
This is a impulse type of tangential flow hydraulic turbine. It mainly posses:(i)
Nozzle (ii) runner and buckets (iii) casing (iv) brake nozzle. Fig. 1 shows general layout of
hydro-electric power plant with pelton wheel.
The water from the
dam is made to flow Head race
h
through the penstock. At
Dam
Casing
the end of the penstock,
Penstock
Vanes
nozzle is fitted which
Net
head
convert the potential
(H)
energy into high kinetic
energy. The speed of the jet
Nozzle
Gross head
issuing from the nozzle can
(Hg)
be regulated by operating
Jet of water
the spear head by varying
Spear
Tail race
the flow area. The high
velocity of jet impinging
over the buckets due to
Fig.1 Layout of Hydro-electric power plant
which the runner starts
rotating because of the
impulse effects and thereby hydraulic energy is converted into mechanical energy.After the
runner, the water falls into tail race. Casing will provide the housing for runner and is open
to atmosphere. Brake nozzles are used to bring the runner from high speed to rest condition
whenever it is to be stopped. In order to achieve this water is made to flow in opposite
direction through brake nozzle to that of runner .
Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

4.0 Heads and Efficiencies of Hydraulic Turbines :

4.1 Hydraulic Heads :
(a) Gross head: It is the difference between the head race and tail race level when
there is no flow.As such it is termed as static head and is denoted as Hs or Hg.
(b) Effective head: It is the head available at the inlet of the turbine. It is obtained by
considering all head losses in penstock. If hf is the total loss, then the effective
headabove the turbine is H = Hg - hf
(1)
4.2 Efficiencies :
Various efficiencies of hydraulic turbines are:
i) Hydraulic efficiency (hH)
ii) Volumetric efficiency (hvol)
iii) Mechanical efficiency (hmech)
iv) Overall efficiency (h0)
i) Hydraulic efficiency (hH): It is the ratio of power developed by the runner to the water
power available at the inlet of the turbine.
rQ(U1Vu1U2Vu2) ___
(m /gc ) (U1Vu1 U2Vu2) ____________
He
(2)
hH = ___________________
=
=
.
rQ g H
(m gH ) / gc
H
H - hf .
Where H is effective head at the inlet of turbine.
hH = ______
H
ii) Volumetric efficiency (hvol): It is the ratio of the quantity of water actually striking the
runner to the quantity of water supplied to the runner.
Q Q - DQ
hvol = a =__ _
DQ = amount of water that slips directly to the tail race.
Qth Q
= loss.
(3)
iii) Mechanical efficiency (hmech): It is the ratio of shaft power output by the turbine to the
power developed by the runner.
Shaft output power
hmech = ___________________________
Power developed by the runner
SP
(4)
hmech = ____________________
rQ (U1Vu1 U2Vu2)/gc
.

iv) Overall efficiency (ho ) : It is the ratio of shaft output power by the turbine to the water
power available at inlet of the turbine.
Inlet
Shaft
output
power
shaft output
ho = __________________
Water power at inlet
Turbine
Generator
SP
ho = _______
rQ gH
ho = ( h hvol) hmech
ho = h
hmech

hH
h

H,act

(5)

hmech

If h = 1

Fig. 7.2 Various efficiencies of power plant

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

5.0 Work Done by the Pelton Wheel :

V1 =Vu1
Vr1

b2

Nozzle

q
b 2= 180 - q
0

Vr2
b2

V2

Vf

Vu2

Fig 3 Shape of bucket & Velocity diagram

Where q is the angle through which the jet is deflected by the bucket. b2 is the
runner tip angle = 180 - q.
Fig. 3 shows the inlet and outlet velocity triangles. Since the angle of entrance of jet is
zero, the inlet velocity triangle collapses to a straight line. The tangential component of
absolute velocity at inlet Vu1= V1 and the relative velocity at the inlet is Vr1 = V1 - U.
le

From the outlet velocity D .

Vu2 = Vr2 cos b2 U
= CbVr1 cos b2 U
Vu2 = (V1 U) Cb cos b2 -U

(... Vr2 = CbVr1 )

(... V = V U)
r1

Work done / kg of water by the runner

W = U (Vu1 + Vu2) / gc
( + ve sign for opposite direction of Vu1 and Vu2 )
= U [Vu1 + (V1 U) Cb c os b2 U] / gc
= U [(V1 U )+ (V1 U) Cb cos b2] / gc
W = U [(V1 U) (1+Cb cos b2 )] / gc

(6)

The energy supplied to the wheel is in the form of kinetic energy of the jet which is equal to
2

V1 /2gc.
W
U [ (V1 U) ( 1+Cb cosb2 )] / gc
Hydraulic efficiency, h = _______
= _________________________
2
2
V 1 / 2gc
V 1 / 2gc
H

2U (V1 U) ( 1+Cb cosb2 )

h = ______________________
2
V1
H

(7)

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

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For maximum hydraulic efficiency,
as
\

dhH
____
=0
dU

2(1+ Cb cosb2)
__________
0, V1 2U = 0
2
V1
V1 = 2U or f = U/V1 = 0.5

U = V1 = 0.5 V1
(7.8)
This shows that the tangential velocity of bucket should be half of the velocity of
jet for maximum efficiency.
Then,
h
2U
(2U U) ( 1+Cb cosb2)
________________________
H, max =
2
(2U)
h
H, max

1+Cb cosb2
= ___________
2

(9)

If Cb = 1, then the above equation gives the maximum efficiency for b2 = 00

5.1 Working Proportions of Pelton Wheel :
(i) Ideal velocity of jet from the Nozzle, Vth = 2gH

(10)

&Actual velocity of jet , V1 = Cv 2gH

Cv = coefficient of velocity for nozzle is in the range of 0.97 to 0.99
( ii) Tangential velocity of buckets,
U = f 2gH f = U/( 2gH ),

(11)

Where f = Speed ratio and is in the range of 0.43 to 0.48

(iii) Least diameter of the jet, (d)2
2
pd
pd
Total discharge, QT = n
Cv 2gH
V1 = n
4
4
Where n = number of jets (nozzles)
(iv) Mean Diameter or Pitch diameter of Buckets or Runner : (D)
Ux60
pDN
Tangential velocity, U = _______ or D = _______
60
pN

(12)

(13)

(v) Number of Buckets required (Z) :

The ratio of mean diameter of buckets to the diameter of jet is known as
"Jet Ratio". i.e., m = D/d.
m
D
(14)
\ Z = ___ + 15 = ____ + 15 where m ranges from 6 to 35.
2
2d
Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

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Example1 : Pelton wheel has to be designed for the following data : power to be developed
= 5880 kW, Net head available = 300m, Speed = 550 RPM, ratio of jet diameter to wheel
diameter = 1/10 and overall efficiency = 85%. Find the number of jets, diameter of jet,
diameter of the wheel and the quantity of water required. Assume CV = 0.98, f = 0.46.
Solution :Given: P = 5880 kW, H = 300m, N = 550 rpm, d/D= 1/10, ho= 0.85, CV= 0.98,
f = 0.46
Total discharge Q :
Px 1000
Px 1000
hO= _________ or Q = _________ = 2.35 m3 /s
hO rgH
rQg H
V1 =CV 2gH = 0.98 2 x 9.81 x 300 =75.19 m/s
Tangential velocity of wheel, U= f 2gH = 0.46 x 2 x 9.81 x 300 = 35.29 m/s
Diameter of wheel, D
U = pDN/60
35.29 = p x Dx 550/60
D = 1.225 m.
Diameter of jet d, d/D = 1/10 \ d =D/10 = 1.225/10 = 0.1225 m
2

Total discharge, QT = n (p d /4)V1

2

2.35 = n p x0.1225 x75.19 /4

Number of Jets, n = 2.65 3.
Example 2 : A single jet impulse turbine of 10 MW capacity is to work under a
head of 500m. If the specific speed = 10, over all efficiency = 0.8 and the coefficient
of velocity = 0.98, find the diameter of the jet and bucket wheel.Assume f = 0.46.
Solution :Given: P =10,000 kW, H =500m, NS =10, hO = 0.8,CV =0.98, d = ?, D = ?,
1/2
f = 0.46
N (P)
N 10,000
_________
N s=
= ____________ = 10
5/4
H
(500)5/4
N = 236.4 rpm
Velocity of jet,
V1 = CV 2gH = 97.06 m/s
Tangential velocity of bucket, U = f 2gH = 0.46 2gH
U = 45.56 m/s
U = pDN/60 = p Dx236.4/60 = 45.56 m/s
Diameter of a wheel , D = 3.68 m
hO = Px1000 / (rQgH)
0.8 = 10,000/(9.81 x 500 x Q)
2
2
Q = 2.548 m 3/s = p d /4 V1 = p d /4 x 97.06
Diameter of jet, d= 0.183 m or 18.3 cm
Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

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Example 3 : A double jet pelton -wheel is required to generate 7500 kW when the
available head at the base of the nozzle is 400m. The jet is deflected through 165O
and the relative velocity of the jet is reduced by 15% in passing over the
buckets. Determine (i) the diameter of each jet (ii) Total flow (iii) Force exerted by
the jets in the tangential direction. Assume generator efficiency is 95%, hO = 80%, speed
ratio = 0.47
Solution:
Given : n =2, Pg =7500 kW, H =400, b2=15O= (180-165O), Vr2=0.85 Vr1, hg=0.95
ho=0.8, f=0.47=U/ 2gH

V1 = Vu1

b2

Vr1

q=165

Turbine

O/L
Vr2

Vf

b2

V2

Vu2

Now, hg = (O/P)/(I/P) = Pg /P or P=Pg/hg = 7500/0.95 = 7894.74 kW

Out put by the turbine P = 7894.74 kW
Px1000
P
h0 = ________ = _____
QgH
rQgH
Total flow,

P
7894.74
Q = ________ = _____________ = 2.515 m3/s
gH hO
9.81x400x0.8

Velocity of jet from nozzle, V1 = 2gH

= 2 x 9.81 x 400 = 88.6 m/s = V

u1

2x pd
pd
Also flow, QT = 2.515 = n ____ V1 = _______ 88.6
4
4
Diameter of the jet, d = 0.1344 m 0.47=U/88.6 U= 41.64 m/s
Vr1= (V1 - U) = 88.6 - 41.64 = 46.96 m/s
Vr2= 0.85 x 46.96 = 39.92 m/s
Vf =Vr2 sin 15 Vf =10.33 m/s
Total tangential force,
(U - Vu2 ) = Vr2 cos b2 = 39.92 cos 15 = 38.56 m/s
FT = rQ (Vu1- Vu2) /gc
V = 41.64 - 38.56
= 1000 x 2.515 (88.6 - 3.08)/1000 u2
Vu2 = 3.08 m/s
FT= 215.08 kN
0

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

6.0 Reaction Turbine :

In reaction turbines, only part of total head of water at inlet is converted into
velocity head before it enters the runner and the remaining part of total head is converted in
the runner as the water flows over it. In these machines, the water is completely filled in all
the passages of runner. Thus, the pressure of water gradually changes as it passes through
the runner. Hence, for this kind of machines both pressure energy and kinetic energy are
available at inlet. e.g., Francis turbine, Kaplan turbines, Deriaz turbine.

6.1 Francis turbine

Shaft
Scroll
casing
Guide vane

Regulating rod
Runner
Draft tube

Tail race

Scroll
casing

Runner

Link

Guide vane

Guide wheel

Fig. .4 Francis turbine

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

9
Francis turbine which is of mixed flow type is as shown in Fig. 4. It is of inward
flow type of turbine in which the water enters the runner radially at the outer periphery and
leaves axially at its center.
This turbine mainly consists of: (i)Scroll casing (ii)Stay ring (iii)Guide vanes
(iv) Runner (v) Draft tube.
(i) Scroll Casing : The water from penstock enters the scroll casing (called spiral casing)
which completely surrounds the runner. The main function of spiral casing is to
provide an uniform distribution of water around the runner and hence to provide
constant velocity. In order to provide constant velocity, the cross sectional area of the
casing gradually decreses as the water reaching runner
(ii) Stay ring : The water from scroll casing enters the speed vane or stay ring. These are
fixed blades and usually half in number of the guide vanes. Their function is to (a)
direct the water over the guide vanes, (b) resist the load on turbine due to internal
pressure of water and these load is transmitted to the foundation.
(iii) Guide Vanes : Water after the stay ring passes over to the series of guide vanes or fixed
vanes. They surrounds completely around the turbine runner. Guide vanes functions
are to (a) regulate the quantity of water entering the runner and (b) direct the water on
to the runner.
(iv) Runner : The main purpose of the other components is to lead the water to the runner
with minimum loss of energy. The runner of turbine is consists of series of curved
blades (16 to 24) evenly arranged around the circumference in the space between the
two plate. The vanes are so shaped that water enters the runner radially at outer
periphery and leaves it axially at its center. The change in direction of flow from radial
to axial when passes over the runner causes the appreciable change in circumferential
force which in turn responsible to develop power.
(v) Draft Tube : The water from the runner flows to the tail race through the draft tube.
A draft is a pipe or passage of gradually increasing area which connect the exit of the
runner to the tail race. It may be made of cast or plate steel or concrete. The exit end of
the draft tube is always submerged below the level of water in the tail race and must be
air-tight.
The draft tube has two purposes :
(a) It permits a negative or suction head established at the runner exit, thus making it
possible to install the turbine above the tail race level without loss of head.
(b) It converts large proportion of velocity energy rejected from the runner into useful
pressure energy.

7.0 Draft Tubes :

There are different types of draft tubes which are employed to serve the purpose in
the installation of turbine are as shown in Fig.5. It has been observed that for straight
O
divergent type draft tube, the central cone angle should not be more than 8 . This is
O
because, if this angle is more than 8 the water flowing through the draft tube without
contacting its inner surface which result in eddies and hence the efficiency of the draft
tube is reduced.
Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

10

Hs

Hs
Tail race

Tail race

(b) Simple elbow

tube

(a) Conical draft

tube

(c) Moody Spreading

tube
Hs

Tail race

(d) Draft tube with circular inlet and rectangular outlet

Fig.5. Types of draft tubes

(a) Straight divergent conical tube
(b) Moody spreading tube (or Hydracone)
(c) Simple elbow tube
(d) Elbow tube having circular cross section at inlet and rectangular cross section at outlet.

8.0 Work Done and Efficiencies of Francis Turbine :

V1

a1

b1

Runner
blade

Inlet

Inlet
Vf1

Vr1
Vu 1

V1

Outlet

Vr2
a2

D2
D1

U1 a D1
U2 a D2
Runner

U1

b1

Vf1

Vr1

Vr1

Vf1

b1

a1

Vu 1

U1
Vu 1

(b) If When U1 > Vu

or b1 > 90O

(a) When Vu 1> U1

or b1 < 90O

b2

U2

V1

a1

V2=Vf2

Inlet

Outlet velocity triangle

Radial discharge
ie., V2 = Vf2
Vr2
O
& a2 = 90
V2=Vf2
or Vu2 = 0
b2

Vu =0
2

U2

Fig.6 Velocity triangles for different conditions

The absolute velocity at exit leaves the runner such that there is no whirl at exit
ie., Vu2 = 0. The Inlet velocity triangle are drawn for different conditions as shown in
Fig 6 (a) & (b).
Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

11
(i) Work done / kg of water , W = (U1Vu1 - U2Vu2)/gc
As Vu2 = 0 in francis turbine (axial outlet velocity)
W = U1 Vu1/gc

(15)

(ii) Hydraulic efficiency hH :

Work done by the runner
hH = ________________________
Available energy at inlet
U1Vu1
rQ [ ______
gc [
H
_____________
=
hH =
rQgH
H
______
gc

Also

gH - (V / 2gc) __________
H - (V4 /2g)
=
(16)
hH = ___________
gH
H
Where H is the head at inlet, V4 = velocity of water at exit of the draft tube
4

(iii) Volumetric efficiency (hvol): It is the ratio of quantity of water through the runner
(Q2) to the quantity of water suppled (Q1)
(Q1 - DQ)
hvol = Q2 / Q1= __________
Q1
DQ = loss = Q1 - Q 2
(iv) Mechanical efficiency (hmech):
Power output at the shaft end
hmech = ____________________________
Power developed by the runner
(v) Overall efficiency (ho):
Power output at the shaft
Shaft power
= ________________
ho = _________________________
Power available at inlet of the turbine
Water power at inlet
(17)
ho = (hH x hvol) hmech = hH,act x hmech
8.1 Working Proportions of Francis Turbine :
(1) Tangential velocity of runner (U1):
Speed ratio, f = U1/ 2gH, where f ranges from 0.6 to 0.9

(18)

(2) The ratio of flow velocity Vf1 at inlet tip of the vane to the spouting velocity ( 2gH )
is known as the flow ratio
(19)
\
y = Vf1 / 2gH, where y ranges from 0.15 to 0.30
(3) If n is the number of vanes in the runner, 't' is the thickness the vane at inlet
and B1 is the width of the wheel at inlet then, the area of flow at inlet,
Af1 = ( p D - n t)B1 = C p D1 B1

(20)

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

12
where C = Contraction factor which represents the area occupied by the vane thickness
in the runner and it is a few percentage of p D1.
Discharge, Q =Af Vf = C p D1 B1 Vf1= C p D2 B2 Vf2
Normally it is assumed that D1 = 2D2 & Vf1= Vf 2, B2 = 2B1
H- (V42 /2g)
Note : Hydraulic efficiency is given by hH = __________
if the velocity V4 the exit of
H
draft tube is given since V42 /2g represents the head loss at the exit of draft tube.
Efficiency of the draft tube :
2

Actual regain of pressure head

hd = _______________________________
Velocity head at entrance to draft tube.

V =V
2

[(V22 - V42 )/2g]-hf ________________

[(V32 - V42 )/2g]-hf
________________
hd =
=
2
2
V2 /2g
V3 /2g

(21)

Where V3 = Velocity of water at exit of runner = V2

V4 = Velocity of water at exit of draft tube.
hf = head lose in draft tube.

.Example 4 : Show that the utilization factor for an inward flow reaction turbine with
relative velocity component at inlet perpendicular to the tangent of the wheel and the
2

absolute velocity at the exit is radial is given by = 2 cos a1 / (1+ cos a1)
Where a1 is the angle made by the entering fluid with tangent of the whee.
Solution :
Combined Inlet & outlet velocity triangle
V

V
V

U =V
V

Utilization,

2
U
V
U
E
1 u1
1
= ____________ = ______________
= _______________
2
2
2
E + V 2 /2gc
U1 Vu1 + V2 /2gc
U + V 22 /2

b =a

V
U

=0

2
2U 1
____________
=
2
2U 1 + V 21 -U 21
2

2V 1 cos a1
= ____________
2
2
2
V 1 cos a1 + V 1

2
2U 1
_________
2
U 1 + V 21

(... V 22 = V 21 - U 21 )

2 cos a1
= ____________
1+ cos2a1

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

13
Example 5 : In a Francis turbine, the discharge is radial. The blade speed at inlet = 25 m/s.
At the inlet tangential component of velocity = 18 m/s. The radial velocity of flow is
constant and equal to 2.5 m/s. Water flows at the rate of 0.8 m3/s. The utilization factor is
0.82. Find: i) Euler's head ii) Power developed iii) Inlet blade angle iv) Degree of
reaction (R). Draw the velocity triangles.
3
Solution : Given : U1= 25 m/s, Vu1=18 m/s, Vf = 2.5 m/s, Q = 0.8m /s,
(i) Euler's head :
gHe = E = (U1Vu1) /gc
E = 25 x 1 8/1 = 450 J/kg = gHe
\
He= 450/9.81 = 45.87 m.
(ii) Power developed (P) :

as Vu2 = 0,

P = r QE = rQ (gHe)= (1000 x 0.8 x 450) / 1000

P = 360 kW
(iii) Inlet blade angle (b1):
Inlet

Outlet

r1

=V

r2

f2

V
U

V1 = (Vf2 +Vu 1 )1/2 = 18.17 m/s

=0

Vf1 =Vf 2 = Vf = V2 = 2.5 m/s

tan b1 = Vf /(U1 - Vu1) = 2.5 / (25 - 18)

0

b1 = 19.65

(iv) Degree of reaction (R)

2

H - [ (V 12 - V 22 )]/2g ___________________________
45.87 - [(18.17 - 2.5 )/2 x 9.81]
_________________
R=
=
H
45.87
e

R = 0.64

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

14

9.0 Propeller & Kaplan Turbines

The propeller turbine consists of an axial flow runner with 4 to 6 blades of aerofoil
shape. The spiral casing and guide blades are similar to that of the Francis turbines. In the
propeller turbines, the blades mounted on the runner are fixed and non-adjustable. But in
Kaplan turbine the blades can be adjusted and can rotate about the pivots fixed to the
boss of the runner. This is only the modification in propeller turbine. The blades are
adjusted automatically by a servomechanism so that at all loads the flow enters without
shock.
Shaft
Scroll casing
Guide vane

Guide vane

Runner vanes

Boss

d
D

Inlet of runner vanes

Outlet of runner vanes

Tail race

Draft tube

Fig.7.7 Main components of Kaplan turbine.

The Kaplan turbine is an axial flow reaction turbine in which the flow is parallel to
the axis of the shaft as shown in the Fig.7.7. This is mainly used for large quantity of water
and for very low heads (4-70 m) for which the specific speed is high. The runner of the
Kaplan turbine looks like a propeller of a ship. Therefore sometimes it is also called as
propeller turbine. At the exit of the Kaplan turbine the draft tube is connected to discharge
water to the tail race.
Inlet
1) At inlet, the velocity
shown in Fig.8.

Dle

Outlet

is as

2) At the outlet, the discharge is

always axial with no whirl
velocity component i.e., outlet
velocity triangle just a right angle
triangle as shown Fig.8.

V1

Vr2

b1

Vu 1

Vf =V2

Vr1

Vf

Vu 2=0

Fig.8 Velocity triangles for Kaplan Turbine.

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

15
9.1 Working Proportions of Kaplan Turbine
i) Tangential velocity of blades based on tip diameter (UD)
U = f 2gH
where, D = Tip diameter or Outer diameter of the runner
d = Hub diameter or Boss diameter of the runner
d/D = 0.35 to 0.60
\
ii) Flow velocity (Vf )
D

y = Vf / 2gH

Usually, 0.35 < y < 0.75

(22)

(23)

iii) The discharge (Q) flowing through the runner is given by

2 2
2 2
p
p
Q = ____ (D - d )Vf = ____ (D - d ) y 2gH
(24)
4
4
Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, the velocity triangles will always be drawn w.r.t tip
diameter.

Example 6 : A kaplan turbine produces 80,000 HP (58,800 kW) under a head of 25m which
has an overall efficiency of 90%. Taking the value of speed ratio f = 1.6, flow ratio y = 0.5
and the hub diameter = 0.35 times the outer diameter. Find the diameter and the speed of the
turbine.
Solution : P = 80,000 HP = 58,800 kW, H = 25m, hO= 0.9, f = 1.6, y = 0.5,
d/D =0.35, To find:D, N.
h0 = P/(rQgH)
Q = P /(h0 rgH) = 58,800 / (0.9 x 9.81 x 1 x 25)
3

Q = 266.4 m /s
2
p 2 2
p 2
Again, Q = ___ (D - d )y 2gH = ____ D 1- (d/D) x y 2gH
4
4
2
2
p
266.4 = ____ D (1 - 0.35 )x (0.5) 2 x 9.81 x 25
4
D = 5.91 m

Also,
\

f = UD / 2gH = UD / (2 x 9.81 x 25) = 1.6

UD = 35.44 m/s = p DN/60 = p x 5.91 x N / 60
N = 114.5 rpm.

Example 7:Determine the efficiency of a Kaplan turbine developing 2940 kW under a

head of 5m. It is provided with a draft tube with its inlet diameter 3m set at 1.6m above the
tail race level. A vacuum pressure gauge connected to the draft tube inlet indicates a reading
of 5m of water.Assume that draft tube efficiency is 78%.

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri

16
Solution :Given : P = 2940 kW, H = 5 m, Hs=1.6 m, p2 /rg = - 5 m, hdraft= 0.78, ho= ?
Apply the Bernoulli's equation between (2) & (3) we get
p2/rg = - [Hs + (V 22 - V 32 )/2g ]
- 5 = - 1.6 - [
2
(V 2

2
- V 3 )/2g =
2
2
(V 2 - V 3 ) =

(V 22

- V 32

d2 = 38 m

)/2g]

+ 3.4 m

Z1

+ 66.708

(V 22 -V 32 )/2g
____________
V 22 /2g

(V 22 - V 32 )
__________
=
V 22

p2/rg =5
Hs =1.6 m

(1)

Actual pressure gain in draft tube

Draft tube efficiency hd = ___________________________
Pressure at inlet to the tube.

Hs

3
Z2

Datum line

0.78

\ 1- (V 3/V 2) = 0.78

V 32 = 0.22 V 22

(2)

\ In equation (1), V 22 (1 - 0.22) = 66.708

V 2 = 9.25 m/s = Vf
( ... Axial discharge in Kaplan turbine)
2
p
3
Now discharge, Q =Af Vf = ____ x 3 x 9.25 = 65.38 m /s
4

Overall efficiency of a Kaplan turbine,

Power output
P
h0 = __________________ = ________
Hydro power at inlet
rQgH
2940 x 1000
h0 = _____________________ = 91.68 %
1000 x 9.81 x 65.38 x 5

Dr.M.S.Govinde Gowda, Principal, Alvas Inst. Of Engg & Tech, Moodbidri