Impulse

Turbines

1. Introduction
A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow and converts it into useful
work. The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft or drum
with blades attached. Moving fluid acts on the blades, or the blades react to the flow, so that they
move and impart rotational energy to the rotor. Early turbine examples are windmills and water
wheels. Gas, steam, and water turbines usually have a casing around the blades that contains and
controls the working fluid. Credit for invention of the steam turbine is given both to the British
Engineer Sir Charles Parsons (1854–1931), for invention of the reaction turbine and to Swedish
Engineer Gustaf de Laval (1845–1913), for invention of the impulse turbine. Modern steam
turbines frequently employ both reaction and impulse in the same unit, typically varying the
degree of reaction and impulse from the blade root to its periphery. A device similar to a turbine
but operating in reverse, i.e., driven, is a compressor or pump. The axial compressor in many gas
turbine engines is a common example. Here again, both reaction and impulse are employed and
again, in modern axial compressors, the degree of reaction and impulse will typically vary from
the blade root to its periphery. Claude Burdin coined the term from the Latin turbo, or vortex,
during an 1828 engineering competition. Benoit Fourneyron, a student of Claude Burdin, built
the first practical water turbine.

2. Impulse Turbine
These turbines change the direction of flow of a high velocity fluid or gas jet. The resulting
impulse spins the turbine and leaves the fluid flow with diminished kinetic energy. There is no
pressure change of the fluid or gas in the turbine rotor blades (the moving blades), as in the case
of a steam or gas turbine, all the pressure drop takes place in the stationary blades (the nozzles).

Figure.1. Theory operation of an impulse turbine

Before reaching the turbine, the fluid's pressure head is changed to velocity head by accelerating
the fluid with a nozzle. Pelton wheels and de Laval turbines use this process exclusively. Impulse

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turbines do not require a pressure casement around the rotor since the fluid jet is created by the
nozzle prior to reaching the blading on the rotor. Newton's second law describes the transfer of
energy for impulse turbines.

2.1 Triangles Velocity of Impulse Turbine

Figure.2 shows the velocity of triangles of Impulse wheel with expression as follows: , is
absolute velocity of fluid at inlet and velocity of jet leaving the vane, respectively, , is
relative velocity at inlet and outlet, respectively, , is whirl velocity at inlet and outlet,
respectively, , is flow velocity at inlet and outlet, respectively, , is peripheral velocity of
runner, is vane angle at outlet which angle made by the relative velocity with direction of
motion of the vane at outlet.

u2 Vw2

φ
V2 β Vf2
Vr2
Outlet Triangle

φ γ

u1 Vr1

V1 = Vw1
Inlet Triangle

Figure.2. Velocity triangle of Impulse Wheel

From inlet triangle, velocity triangle at inlet will be straight line where

(4.1)

where 2 , is coefficient of velocity which varies 0.98 ~ 0.99, is net head of

turbine.

The guide angle ( ) and vane angle at inlet ( ) is zero. Jet velocity relative to the vane or bucket
is expressed as

(4.2)

where 2 , is speed ratio which varies 0.43 ~ 0.48.

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Peripheral velocity of runner will be same at inlet and outlet at the mean pitch as

(4.3)

From outlet triangles, relative velocity of the jet can be expressed as

(4.4)

where is blade friction coefficient, slightly less than 1. 1, when no friction losses.

The velocity of whirl can be expressed as

cos cos (4.5)

Jet velocity relative to the vane or bucket is expressed as

(4.6)

Combine Eq.4.6 into Eq.4.5, then we have

cos (4.7)

2.2 Euler Head of Impulse Turbine

The force exerted by the jet of fluid in the direction of motion is given as

(4.8)

where . is the mass density and , is diameter of jet, which can be

expressed as

/ (4.9)

where is total fluid supplied by the jet to the turbine.

Work done by the jet on runner per second

(4.10)

Work done per second per unit weight of fluid striking

(4.11)

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This equation represents the energy transfer per unit weight of water is referred to as the runner
head or Euler head ( ).

(4.12)

Substituting Eq.4.1 and Eq.4.7 into Eq.4.12, we have

cos (4.13)

Simplified Eq.4.13, we have

cos cos (4.14)

From Eq.4.1, , then we have

1 (4.15)

From the triangle velocity, where is deflection angle, then we have

1 (4.16)

2.3 Efficiency of Impulse Turbine

The overall hydraulic consists of hydraulic, mechanical, and volumetric efficiencies defined as

(4.17)

where is hydraulic efficiency which is defined as power developed by the runner divided by
power supplied to inlet of the turbine which is expressed as

(4.18)

or

(4.19)

and is mechanical efficiency which is defined as shaft power divided by power developed by
the runner expressed as

(4.20)

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and is volumetric efficiency which is defined as volume of fluid actually striking the runner
divided by total fluid supplied by the jet to the turbine, which can be expressed as

(4.21)

Therefore, the overall efficiency can be expressed as

(4.22)

Exercise.1.2.1
Impulse Turbine (Exam, UTM-2009,
Question.2.b)
QUESTION: A Pelton wheel develops 1250 kW of DETERMINE: If the bucket circle diameter of
output power under a gross head of 600 m. Head wheel is 900 mm and 2 jets working, determine:
loss due to pipe friction between the reservoir and the theoretical hydraulic efficiency from the
nozzle is 48 m. The bucket deflects the jet through velocity triangle, the rotation of the wheel,
an angle of 1700, and velocity of the water is diameter of the jet.
reduced by 12 % due to the bucket friction. The
speed ratio ( ) is 0.47, the nozzle coefficient ( ) is
0.89, and the actual hydraulic efficiency is 0.9.
SOLUTION _____________________________________________________________________
™ Efficiency

2 0.89 √2 9.81 552 92.62

.
437.23
.

0.47 0.47 92.62 43.53

1250 10 1000 43.53 92.62 43.53 1 0.88 180 170

0.3133

93 %
. . .

™ Speed

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Turbines

.
923.7
. .

™ Diameter of jet
Tangential velocity of impeller at inlet

. .
/2 0.3133/2 0.0464

2.4 Impulse Turbine Problems

Self Assessment Impulse Turbine

Exercise.1
Using velocity triangle of a Pelton wheel, derive the following Euler head

where is jet velocity, is bucket velocity, is deflection angle, and is ratio between the relative
velocity leaving and entering the bucket (Exam. UTM, 10-2009)

Exercise.2

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3. Reaction Turbine
These turbines develop torque by reacting to the gas or fluid's pressure or mass. The pressure of
the gas or fluid changes as it passes through the turbine rotor blades. A pressure casement is
needed to contain the working fluid as it acts on the turbine stage(s) or the turbine must be fully
immersed in the fluid flow (such as with wind turbines). The casing contains and directs the
working fluid and, for water turbines, maintains the suction imparted by the draft tube. Francis
turbines and most steam turbines use this concept. For compressible working fluids, multiple
turbine stages are usually used to harness the expanding gas efficiently. Newton's third law
describes the transfer of energy for reaction turbines.

Figure.3. Theory operation of a reaction turbine

3.1 Francis Turbine

The main parts of a Francis turbine are as follows: penstock is a large size conduit which
conveys water from the upstream of the reservoir to the turbine, spiral/scroll casing, guide
vanes/wicket gates, governing mechanism, runner and runner blade, and draft tube.

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Fig.4.Schematic diagram ofa reaction turbine.

3.2 Net Head

Fig.5 shows general layout of a hydroelectric power plant using a reaction turbine.

Head race

hf

Reservoir Dam

Hg H

Penstock
Generator
Reaction 
turbine

Draft  Tail race
tube

Fig.5. General Layout of a hydroelectric power plant using a reaction turbine.

The net head is available operation head or difference of head between gross head and loss head
which can be defined as

(4.23)

where is gross head or difference of water levels between head race and tail race, is loss of
head in the penstock.

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Another word, the net head is total energy available at exit from the penstock subtract by total
energy available at exit from the draft tube. Using Bernoulli equation, it can be expressed as

(4.24)

If the draft tube exit is at tail race level, and the datum is also taken at that level, then

(4.25)

where is velocity at the exit of draft tube.

Neglecting the velocity at the draft tube exit, the net head can be simplified as

(4.26)

3.3 Work Done of Francis Turbine

Figure.6 shows a typical Francis turbine. The general expression for the work done with usual
notations according to the Euler momentum equation as

Fig.6. Typical Francis turbine.

(4.27)

where is discharge through the runner in .

The maximum work done is when 0, the we have

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(4.28)

3.4 Efficiency of Francis Turbine

The overall hydraulic consists of hydraulic ( ) and mechanical ( ) efficiencies defined as

(4.29)

where is hydraulic efficiency which is defined as power developed by the runner divided by
power supplied to the turbine expressed as

(4.30)

where , and . The hydraulic efficiency can be simplify

as

(4.31)

When velocity of flow through runner as constant , discharge is radial at outlet. From
out velocity triangle, 0, and inlet velocity triangle the guide angle can be
expressed as

tan or tan (4.32)

and the vane angle and inlet can be expressed as

tan or (4.33)

Combine Eq.4.32 into Eq.4.33 then we have

or 1 (4.34)

Head under which turbine is working

or (4.35)

Substituting Eq.4.34 and Eq.4.32 into Eq.4.35, then we have

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1 (4.36)

Substituting Eq.4.34 and Eq.4.36 into Eq.4.31 then we gave

(4.37)

Simplified Eq.4.37 then we have

(4.38)

Mechanical efficiency is defined as shaft power divided by power developed by the runner
expressed as

(4.39)

Therefore, the overall efficiency can be expressed as

(4.40)

3.5 Degree of Reaction of Francis Turbine

The degree of reaction of Francis Turbine is defined as loss of static head divided by total
transferred energy, which can be expressed as

(4.33)

Energy equation in the turbine system is expressed as

∑ (4.34)

when Δ 0 and ∑ 0, then we have

(4.35)

Combine Eq.4.35 into Eq.4.33, then we have

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(4.36)

Simplified Eq.4.36, can be expressed as

1 (4.37)

Exercise.2.1.1
Reaction Turbine (Exam, UTM-2009,
Question.3.b)
QUESTION: A Francis turbine is operated under DETERMINE: the angle of the guide vane, the
the head of 45 m and the water flow rate is 320 l/s. blade angle at the inlet, the power generated by
Flow area of the runner at the inlet is 0.125 m2 and the runner, and the overall efficiency if the
the flow velocity is assumed constant throughout mechanical loss is 12 kW.
the turbine runner. The hydraulic efficiency of the
turbine is 0.90. The velocity of the runner at inlet is
22 m/s.
SOLUTION _____________________________________________________________________
.
2.56
.

power supplied to the turbine expressed as in Eq.4.30

1000 9.81 0.32 45 141.26

power developed as shown in Eq.4.32

0.9 141.26 127.13

.
18.06
.

Guidance vane angle

.
8.1
.

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3.6 Reaction Turbine Problems

Self Assessment Reaction Turbine

Exercise.1
A reaction turbine works at 450 rpm under a head of 120 m. Its diameter at inlet is 1.2 m and the flow
area is 0.4 m2. The angles made by absolute and relative velocities at inlet are 200 and 600 respectively
with the tangential velocity. the volume flow rate, the power developed , and hydraulic efficiency.

Exercise.2
Show that the degree of reaction of reaction turbine is

1
2

where , is absolute velocity at runner inlet and outlet respectively, is work done by the runner. .
(Exam. UTM, 10-2009)

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