Dke672 ch3

3
Hydraulic Turbines
3.1 INTRODUCTION
In a hydraulic turbine, water is used as the source of energy. Water or hydraulic
turbines convert kinetic and potential energies of the water into mechanical
power. The main types of turbines are (1) impulse and (2) reaction turbines. The
predominant type of impulse machine is the Pelton wheel, which is suitable for a
range of heads of about 150 –2,000 m. The reaction turbine is further subdivided
into the Francis type, which is characterized by a radial flow impeller, and
the Kaplan or propeller type, which is an axial-flow machine. In the sections that
follow, each type of hydraulic turbine will be studied separately in terms of the
velocity triangles, efficiencies, reaction, and method of operation.
3.2 PELTON WHEEL

An American Engineer Lester A. Pelton discovered this (Fig. 3.1) turbine in
1880. It operates under very high heads (up to 1800 m.) and requires
comparatively less quantity of water. It is a pure impulse turbine in which a jet of
fluid delivered is by the nozzle at a high velocity on the buckets. These buckets
are fixed on the periphery of a circular wheel (also known as runner), which is
generally mounted on a horizontal shaft. The primary feature of the impulse
Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

92 Chapter 3
Figure 3.1 Single-jet, horizontal shaft Pelton turbine.
turbine with respect to fluid mechanics is the power production as the jet is
deflected by the moving vane(s).
The impact of water on the buckets causes the runner to rotate and thus
develops mechanical energy. The buckets deflect the jet through an angle of
about 160 and 1658 in the same plane as the jet. After doing work on the buckets
water is discharged in the tailrace, and the whole energy transfer from nozzle
outlet to tailrace takes place at constant pressure.
The buckets are so shaped that water enters tangentially in the middle and
discharges backward and flows again tangentially in both the directions to avoid
thrust on the wheel. The casing of a Pelton wheel does not perform any hydraulic
function. But it is necessary to safeguard the runner against accident and also to
prevent the splashing water and lead the water to the tailrace.
3.3 VELOCITY TRIANGLES

The velocity diagrams for the Pelton wheel are shown in Fig. 3.2.
Since the angle of entry of the jet is nearly zero, the inlet velocity triangle is
a straight line, as shown in Fig. 3.2. If the bucket is brought to rest, then the
relative fluid velocity, V1, is given by
V 1 ¼ jet velocity 2 bucket speed
¼ C1 2 U 1
The angle turned through by the jet in the horizontal plane during its passage over
the bucket surface is a and the relative velocity at exit is V2. The absolute

Hydraulic Turbines 93
Figure 3.2 Velocity triangles for a Pelton wheel.
velocity, C2, at exit can be obtained by adding bucket speed vector U2 and
relative velocity, V2, at exit.
Now using Euler’s turbine Eq. (1.78)
W ¼ U 1 CW1 2 U 2 C W2
Since in this case CW2 is in the negative x direction,
W ¼ U fðU þ V 1 Þ þ ½V 1 cosð180 2 aÞ 2 U g
Neglecting loss due to friction across the bucket surface, that is, V1 ¼ V2,
then
W ¼ UðV 1 2 V 1 cos aÞ
Therefore
E ¼ UðC 1 2 UÞð1 2 cos aÞ/g ð3:1Þ
the units of E being Watts per Newton per second weight of flow.
Eq. (3.1) can be optimized by differentiating with respect to U, and
equating it to zero.
Therefore
dE
¼ ð1 2 cos aÞðC 1 2 2UÞ/g ¼ 0
dU
Then
C1 ¼ 2U or U ¼ C1 /2 ð3:2Þ

94 Chapter 3
Substituting Eq. (3.2) into Eq. (3.1) we get
Emax ¼ C21 ð1 2 cos aÞ/4g
In practice, surface friction is always present and V1 – V2, then Eq. (3.1)
becomes
E ¼ UðC 1 2 UÞð1 2 k cos aÞ/g ð3:3Þ
where k ¼ VV 21
Introducing hydraulic efficiency as
Energy Transferred
hh ¼
Energy Available in jet
E
i:e: hh ¼ ð3:4Þ
ðC 21 /2gÞ
if a ¼ 1808, the maximum hydraulic efficiency is 100%. In practice, deflection
angle is in the order of 160 – 1658.
3.4 PELTON WHEEL (LOSSES AND EFFICIENCIES)

Head losses occur in the pipelines conveying the water to the nozzle due to
friction and bend. Losses also occur in the nozzle and are expressed by the
velocity coefficient, Cv.
The jet efficiency (hj) takes care of losses in the nozzle and the mechanical
efficiency (hm) is meant for the bearing friction and windage losses. The overall
efficiency (ho) for large Pelton turbine is about 85– 90%. Following efficiency is
usually used for Pelton wheel.
Energy at end of the pipe
Pipeline transmission efficiency ¼
Energy available at reservoir
Figure 3.3 shows the total headline, where the water supply is from a
reservoir at a head H1 above the nozzle. The frictional head loss, hf, is the loss as
the water flows through the pressure tunnel and penstock up to entry to the nozzle.
Then the transmission efficiency is
htrans ¼ ðH 1 2 hf Þ/H 1 ¼ H/H 1 ð3:5Þ
The nozzle efficiency or jet efficiency is
Energy at nozzle outlet
hj ¼ ¼ C21 /2gH ð3:6Þ
Energy at nozzle inlet

Figure 3.3 Schematic layout of hydro plant.
Nozzle velocity coefficient

Actual jet velocity pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Cv ¼ ¼ C 1 = 2gH
Theoretical jet velocity
Therefore the nozzle efficiency becomes
hj ¼ C 21 =2gH ¼ C2v ð3:7Þ
The characteristics of an impulse turbine are shown in Fig. 3.4.
Figure 3.4 shows the curves for constant head and indicates that the peak
efficiency occurs at about the same speed ratio for any gate opening and that
Figure 3.4 Efficiency vs. speed at various nozzle settings.

96 Chapter 3
Figure 3.5 Power vs. speed of various nozzle setting.
the peak values of efficiency do not vary much. This happens as the nozzle
velocity remaining constant in magnitude and direction as the flow rate changes,
gives an optimum value of U/C1 at a fixed speed. Due to losses, such as windage,
mechanical, and friction cause the small variation. Fig. 3.5 shows the curves for
power vs. speed. Fixed speed condition is important because generators are
usually run at constant speed.
Illustrative Example 3.1: A generator is to be driven by a Pelton wheel

with a head of 220 m and discharge rate of 145 L/s. The mean peripheral velocity
of wheel is 14 m/s. If the outlet tip angle of the bucket is 1608, find out the power
developed.
Solution:
Dischargerate; Q ¼ 145 L/s
Head; H ¼ 220 m
U1 ¼ U2 ¼ 14 m/s
b2 ¼ 180 2 1608 ¼ 208
Refer to Fig. 3.6

Using Euler’s equation, work done per weight mass of water per sec.
¼ ðC w1 U 1 2 C w2 U 2 Þ
But for Pelton wheel Cw2 is negative

Figure 3.6 Inlet and outlet velocity triangles.
Therefore
Work done / s ¼ ðC w1 U 1 þ C w2 U 2 Þ Nm / s
From inlet velocity triangle
C2
C w1 ¼ C1 and 1 ¼ H
2g
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Hence, C1 ¼ 2gH ¼ 2 £ 9:81 £ 220 ¼ 65:7 m/s
Relative velocity at inlet is
V 1 ¼ C 1 2 U 1 ¼ 65:7 2 14 ¼ 51:7 m/s
From outlet velocity triangle
V 1 ¼ V 2 ¼ 51:7 m/s(neglecting friction)
and cos b2 ¼ U 2 þC
V2
w2
or
14 þ C w2
cosð20Þ ¼
51:7
Therefore
C w2 ¼ 34:58 m/s
Hence, work done per unit mass of water per sec.
¼ ð65:7Þð14Þ þ ð34:58Þð14Þ ¼ 1403:92 Nm

ð1403:92Þð145Þ
Power developed ¼ ¼ 203:57 kW
1000

98 Chapter 3
Design Example 3.2: A Pelton wheel is supplied with 0.035 m3/s of water
under a head of 92 m. The wheel rotates at 725 rpm and the velocity coefficient of
the nozzle is 0.95. The efficiency of the wheel is 82% and the ratio of bucket
speed to jet speed is 0.45. Determine the following:
1. Speed of the wheel
2. Wheel to jet diameter ratio
3. Dimensionless power specific speed of the wheel
Solution:
Power developed
Overall efficiency ho ¼ Power available
[ P ¼ rgQH ho J/s ¼ rgQH ho

1000 kW
¼ 9:81ð0:035Þð92Þð0:82Þ ¼ 25:9 kW
Velocity coefficient
C1
Cv ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
2gH
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
or C1 ¼ Cv 2gH ¼ 0:95½ð2Þð9:81Þð92Þ1/2 ¼ 40:36 m/s
1. Speed of the wheel is given by
U ¼ 0:45ð40:36Þ ¼ 18:16 m/s
2. If D is the wheel diameter, then
vD 2U ð2Þð18:16Þð60Þ
U¼ or D¼ ¼ ¼ 0:478 m
2 v 725ð2pÞ
Q 0:035
Jet area A¼ ¼ ¼ 0:867 £ 1023 m2
C 1 40:36
and Jet diameter, d, is given by
1/2 1/2
4A ð4Þð0:867 £ 1023 Þ
d¼ ¼ ¼ 0:033 m
p p
D 0:478
Diameter ratio ¼ ¼ 14:48
d 0:033

3. Dimensionless specific speed is given by Eq. (1.10)

NP 1/2
N sp ¼
r 1/2 ðgHÞ5/4
5/4
¼ 725 £ ð25:9Þð1000Þ 1/2 £ 1
60 103 ð9:81Þ £ ð92Þ
¼ ð12:08Þð5:09Þð0:0002Þ
¼ 0:0123 rev
¼ ð0:0123Þð2pÞ rad
¼ 0:077 rad
Illustrative Example 3.3: The speed of Pelton turbine is 14 m/s. The water
is supplied at the rate of 820 L/s against a head of 45 m. If the jet is deflected by
the buckets at an angle of 1608, find the hP and the efficiency of the turbine.
Solution:
Refer to Fig. 3.7
U1 ¼ U2 ¼ 14 m/s
Q ¼ 820 L/s ¼ 0.82 m3/s
H ¼ 45 m
b2 ¼ 180 2 1608 ¼ 208
Velocity of jet
C 1 ¼ Cv 2gH , assuming C v ¼ 0:98
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
¼ 0:98 ð2Þð9:81Þð45Þ ¼ 29:12 m/s
Figure 3.7 Velocity triangle for Example 3.3.

100 Chapter 3
Assuming
b1 ¼ 1808
b2 ¼ 180 2 1608 ¼ 208
Cw1 ¼ C 1 ¼ 29:12 m/s
V 1 ¼ C1 2 U 1 ¼ 29:12 2 14 ¼ 15:12 m/s
From outlet velocity triangle,
U 1 ¼ U 2 (neglecting losses on buckets)
V 2 ¼ 15:12 m / s and U 2 ¼ 14 m/s
Cw2 ¼ V 2 cosa2 2 U 2 ¼ 15:12 cos 208 2 14

¼ 0:208 m/s
Work done per weight mass of water per sec
¼ ðCw1 þ C w2 ÞU
¼ ð29:12 þ 0:208Þ £ ð14Þ ¼ 410:6 Nm / s
[ Power developed ¼ ð410:6Þð0:82

1000
£ 103 Þ ¼ 336:7 kW
¼ 451 hP
Power developed
Efficiencyh1 ¼ Available Power
¼ ð1000Þð336:7Þ ¼ 0:930 or 93:0%

ð1000Þð9:81Þð0:82Þð45Þ
Illustrative Example 3.4: A Pelton wheel develops 12,900 kW at 425 rpm

under a head of 505 m. The efficiency of the machine is 84%. Find (1) discharge
of the turbine, (2) diameter of the wheel, and (3) diameter of the nozzle. Assume
Cv ¼ 0.98, and ratio of bucket speed to jet speed ¼ 0.46.
Solution:
Head, H ¼ 505 m.
Power, P ¼ 12,900 kW
Speed, N ¼ 425 rpm
Efficiency, ho ¼ 84%
1. Let Q be the discharge of the turbine
P
Using the relation ho ¼
9:81QH

or
12; 900 2:60
0:84 ¼ ¼
ð9:81Þð505ÞQ Q
or
Q ¼ 3:1 m3 /s
2. Velocity of jet
C ¼ Cv 2gH ðassume Cv ¼ 0:98Þ
or
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C ¼ 0:98 ð2Þð9:81Þð505Þ ¼ 97:55 m/s
Tangential velocity of the wheel is given by

U ¼ 0:46C ¼ ð0:46Þð97:55Þ ¼ 44:87 m/s
and
pDN
U¼ ; hence wheel diameter is
60
60U ð60Þð44:87Þ
D¼ ¼ ¼ 2:016 m
pN ðpÞð425Þ
3. Let d be the diameter of the nozzle
The discharge through the nozzle must be equal to the discharge of the
turbine. Therefore
Q ¼ p4 £ d 2 £ C
3:1 ¼ ðp4 Þðd 2 Þð97:55Þ ¼ 76:65 d 2
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
[ d ¼ 76:65 3:1 ¼ 0:20 m
Illustrative Example 3.5: A double Overhung Pelton wheel unit is to operate

at 12,000 kW generator. Find the power developed by each runner if the generator
is 95%.
Solution:
Output power ¼ 12,000 kW
Efficiency, h ¼ 95%
Therefore, power generated by the runner
12; 000
¼ ¼ 12; 632 kW
0:95

102 Chapter 3
Since there are two runners, power developed by each runner

12; 632
¼ ¼ 6316 kW
2
Design Example 3.6: At the power station, a Pelton wheel produces
1260 kW under a head of 610 m. The loss of head due to pipe friction between the
reservoir and nozzle is 46 m. The buckets of the Pelton wheel deflect the jet
through an angle of 1658, while relative velocity of the water is reduced by 10%
due to bucket friction. The bucket/jet speed ratio is 0.46. The bucket circle
diameter of the wheel is 890 mm and there are two jets. Find the theoretical
hydraulic efficiency, speed of rotation of the wheel, and diameter of the nozzle if
the actual hydraulic efficiency is 0.9 times that calculated above. Assume nozzle
velocity coefficient, Cv ¼ 0.98.
Solution:
Refer to Fig. 3.8.
Power output P
Hydraulic efficiency hh ¼ ¼
Energy available in the jet 0:5mC 21
At entry to nozzle
H ¼ 610 2 46 ¼ 564 m
Using nozzle velocity coefficient

pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C1 ¼ Cv 2gH ¼ 0:98 ð2Þð9:81Þð564Þ ¼ 103:1 m/s
Now
W ¼U C 2U C
m 1 w1 2 w2
¼ U fðU þ V 1 Þ 2 ½U 2 V 2 cosð1808 2 aÞg

¼ U ½ðC 1 2 U Þð1 2 k cos aÞ where V 2 ¼ kV 1
Therefore, W/m ¼ 0.46C1(C1 2 0.46C1)(1 2 0.9 cos 1658)

Substitute the value of C1
W/m ¼ 5180:95
Power output
Theoretical hydraulic efficiency ¼
Energy available in the jet
5180:95
¼ ¼ 98%
0:5 £ 1032

Actual hydraulic efficiency ¼ ð0:9Þð0:98Þ ¼ 0:882
Wheel bucket speed ¼ ð0:46Þð103Þ ¼ 47:38 m/s
ð47:38Þð60Þ
Wheel rotational speed ¼ N ¼ ¼ 1016 rpm
ð0:445Þð2pÞ
Actual power ð1260 £ 103 Þ
Actual hydraulic efficiency ¼ ¼
energy in the jet 0:5 mC 21
Therefore, m ¼ ð1260 £ 103 Þ ¼ 269 kg/s

ð0:882Þð0:5Þð1032 Þ
For one nozzle, m ¼ 134.5 kg/s
rC1 pd 2
For nozzle diameter, using continuity equation, m ¼ rC 1 A ¼ 4
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Hence, d ¼ ð134:5Þð4Þ ¼ 0:041 m ¼ 41 mm
ðpÞð103 £ 103 Þ
Illustrative Example 3.7: A Pelton wheel has a head of 90 m and head lost
due to friction in the penstock is 30 m. The main bucket speed is 12 m/s and
the nozzle discharge is 1.0 m3/s. If the bucket has an angle of 158 at the outlet
and Cv ¼ 0.98, find the power of Pelton wheel and hydraulic efficiency.

104 Chapter 3
Solution: (Fig. 3.9)

Head ¼ 90 m
Head lost due to friction ¼ 30 m
Head available at the nozzle ¼ 90 2 30 ¼ 60 m
Q ¼ 1 m3/s
From inlet diagram
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C1 ¼ Cv 2gH ¼ 0:98 £ ð2Þð9:81Þð60Þ ¼ 33:62 m/s
Therefore, V1 ¼ C1 2 U1 ¼ 33.62 2 12 ¼ 21.62 m/s

From outlet velocity triangle
V 2 ¼ V 1 ¼ 21:16 m/s (neglecting losses)
U 2 ¼ U 1 ¼ 12 m/s
Cw2 ¼ V 2 cos a 2 U 2 ¼ 21:62 cos 158 2 12 ¼ 8:88 m/s

and
Cr 2 ¼ V 2 sin a ¼ 21:62 sin 158 ¼ 5:6 m/s
Therefore,
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C2 ¼ C 2w2 þ Cr 22 ¼ ð8:88Þ2 þ ð5:6Þ2 ¼ 10:5 m/s
C21 2 C22 ð33:62Þ2 2 ð10:5Þ2

[ Work done ¼ ¼ ¼ 510 kJ/kg
2 2
Note Work done can also be found by using Euler’s equation (Cw1U1 þ
Cw2U2)
Power ¼ 510 kW
Hydraulic efficiency
work done ð510Þð2Þ
hh ¼ ¼ ¼ 90:24%
kinetic energy ð33:62Þ2
Design Example 3.8: A single jet Pelton wheel turbine runs at 305 rpm
against a head of 515 m. The jet diameter is 200 mm, its deflection inside the
bucket is 1658 and its relative velocity is reduced by 12% due to friction. Find
(1) the waterpower, (2) resultant force on the bucket, (3) shaft power if the
mechanical losses are 4% of power supplied, and (4) overall efficiency. Assume
necessary data.
Solution: (Fig. 3.10) pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Velocity of jet, C 1 ¼ Cv 2gH ¼ 0:98 ð2Þð9:81Þð515Þ ¼ 98:5 m/s
Discharge, Q is given by
p
Q ¼ Area of jet £ Velocity ¼ £ ð0:2Þ2 ð98:5Þ ¼ 3:096 m3 /s
4
1. Water power is given by
P ¼ rgQH ¼ ð9:81Þð3:096Þð515Þ ¼ 15641:5 kW
2. Bucket velocity, U1, is given by
U 1 ¼ C v 2gH
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
¼ 0:46 ð2Þð9:81Þð515Þ ¼ 46 m/s ðassuming C v ¼ 0:46Þ
Relative velocity, V1, at inlet is given by

V 1 ¼ C1 2 U 1 ¼ 98:5 2 46 ¼ 52:5 m/s

106 Chapter 3
Figure 3.10 Velocity triangles for Example 3.8.
and
V 2 ¼ 0:88 £ 52:5 ¼ 46:2 m/s
From the velocity diagram

Cw2 ¼ U 2 2 V 2 cos 15 ¼ 46 2 46:2 £ 0:966 ¼ 1:37 m/s
Therefore force on the bucket

¼ rQðCw1 2 C w2 Þ ¼ 1000 £ 3:096ð98:5 2 1:37Þ
¼ 300714 N
3. Power produced by the Pelton wheel

ð300714Þð46Þ
¼ ¼ 13832:8 kW
1000
Taking mechanical loss ¼ 4%

Therefore, shaft power produced ¼ 0.96 £ 13832.8 ¼ 13279.5 kW
4. Overall efficiency
13279:5
ho ¼ ¼ 0:849 or 84:9%
15641:5

Figure 3.11 Outlines of a Francis turbine.
3.5 REACTION TURBINE

The radial flow or Francis turbine is a reaction machine. In a reaction turbine, the
runner is enclosed in a casing and therefore, the water is always at a pressure
other than atmosphere. As the water flows over the curved blades, the pressure
head is transformed into velocity head. Thus, water leaving the blade has a large
relative velocity but small absolute velocity. Therefore, most of the initial energy
of water is given to the runner. In reaction turbines, water leaves the runner at
atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between entrance and exit points
of the runner is known as reaction pressure.
The essential difference between the reaction rotor and impulse rotor is
that in the former, the water, under a high station head, has its pressure
energy converted into kinetic energy in a nozzle. Therefore, part of the work
done by the fluid on the rotor is due to reaction from the pressure drop, and
part is due to a change in kinetic energy, which represents an impulse
function. Fig. 3.11 shows a cross-section through a Francis turbine and Fig.
3.12 shows an energy distribution through a hydraulic reaction turbine. In
reaction turbine, water from the reservoir enters the turbine casing through
penstocks.
Hence, the total head is equal to pressure head plus velocity head. Thus,
the water enters the runner or passes through the stationary vanes, which are
fixed around the periphery of runners. The water then passes immediately into
the rotor where it moves radially through the rotor vanes and exits from the
rotor blades at a smaller diameter, after which it turns through 908 into the draft
tube. The draft tube is a gradually increasing cross-sectional area passage. It
helps in increasing the work done by the turbine by reducing pressure at the
exit. The penstock is a waterway, which carries water from the reservoir to
the turbine casing. The inlet and outlet velocity triangles for the runner are
shown in Fig. 3.13.

108 Chapter 3
Figure 3.12 Reaction turbine installation.

Figure 3.13 (a) Francis turbine runner and (b) velocity triangles for inward flow reaction
turbine.

110 Chapter 3
Let
C 1 ¼ Absolute velocity of water at inlet
D1 ¼ Outer diameter of the runner
N ¼ Revolution of the wheel per minute
U 1 ¼ Tangential velocity of wheel at inlet
V 1 ¼ Relative velocity at inlet
C r1 ¼ radial velocity at inlet
a1 ¼ Angle with absolute velocity to the direction of motion
b1 ¼ Angle with relative velocity to the direction of motion
H ¼ Total head of water under which turbine is working
C 2 ; D2 ; U 2 ; V 2 ; C r2 ¼ Corresponding values at outlet
Euler’s turbine equation Eq. (1.78) and E is maximum when Cw2 (whirl
velocity at outlet) is zero that is when the absolute and flow velocities are equal at
the outlet.
3.6 TURBINE LOSSES

Let
Ps ¼ Shaft power output
Pm ¼ Mechanical power loss
Pr ¼ Runner power loss
Pc ¼ Casing and draft tube loss
Pl ¼ Leakage loss
P ¼ Water power available
Ph ¼ Pr þ Pc þ Pl ¼ Hydraulic power loss
Runner power loss is due to friction, shock at impeller entry, and flow
separation. If hf is the head loss associated with a flow rate through the runner of
Qr, then
Ps ¼ rgQr hf ðNm/sÞ ð3:8Þ
Leakage power loss is due to leakage in flow rate, q, past the runner and therefore
not being handled by the runner. Thus
Q ¼ Qr þ q ð3:9Þ

If Hr is the head across the runner, the leakage power loss becomes
Pl ¼ rgH r q ðNm / sÞ ð3:10Þ
Casing power loss, Pc, is due to friction, eddy, and flow separation losses in the
casing and draft tube. If hc is the head loss in casing then
Pc ¼ rgQhc ðNm / sÞ ð3:11Þ
From total energy balance we have
rgQH ¼ Pm þ rg ðhf Qr þ hc Q þ H r q þ Ps Þ
Then overall efficiency, ho, is given by
Shaft power output
ho ¼
Fluid power available at inlet
or
Ps
ho ¼ ð3:12Þ
rgQH
Hydraulic efficiency, hh, is given by
Power available at runner
hh ¼
Fluid power available at inlet
or
ðPs þ Pm Þ
hh ¼ ð3:13Þ
rgQH
Eq. (3.13) is the theoretical energy transfer per unit weight of fluid.
Therefore the maximum efficiency is
hh ¼ U 1 Cw1 /gH ð3:14Þ
3.7 TURBINE CHARACTERISTICS

Part and overload characteristics of Francis turbines for specific speeds of 225
and 360 rpm are shown in Fig. 3.14
Figure 3.14 shows that machines of low specific speeds have a slightly
higher efficiency. It has been experienced that the Francis turbine has unstable
characteristics for gate openings between 30 to 60%, causing pulsations in output
and pressure surge in penstocks. Both these problems were solved by Paul Deriaz
by designing a runner similar to Francis runner but with adjustable blades.
The part-load performance of the various types are compared in Fig. 3.15
showing that the Kaplan and Pelton types are best adopted for a wide range of
load but are followed fairly closely by Francis turbines of low specific speed.

112 Chapter 3
Figure 3.14 Variation of efficiency with load for Francis turbines.
Figure 3.15 Comparison of part-load efficiencies of various types of hydraulic turbine.

3.8 AXIAL FLOW TURBINE

In an axial flow reaction turbine, also known as Kaplan turbine, the flow of water
is parallel to the shaft.
A Kaplan turbine is used where a large quantity of water is available at low
heads and hence the blades must be long and have large chords so that they are
strong enough to transmit the very high torque that arises. Fig. 3.16 and 3.17 shows
the outlines of the Kaplan turbine. The water from the scroll flows over the guide
blades and then over the vanes. The inlet guide vanes are fixed and are situated at a
plane higher than the runner blades such that fluid must turn through 908 to enter the
runner in the axial direction. The function of the guide vanes is to impart whirl to
the fluid so that the radial distribution of velocity is the same as in a free vortex.
Fig. 3.18 shows the velocity triangles and are usually drawn at the mean
radius, since conditions change from hub to tip. The flow velocity is axial at inlet
and outlet, hence Cr1 ¼ Cr2 ¼ Ca
C1 is the absolute velocity vector at anglea1 toU1, andV1 is the relative
velocity at an angle b1. For maximum efficiency, the whirl component Cw2 ¼ 0,
in which case the absolute velocity at exit is axial and then C2 ¼ Cr2
Using Euler’s equation
E ¼ UðC w1 2 C w2 Þ/g
and for zero whirl (Cw2 ¼ 0) at exit
E ¼ UC w1 /g
3.9 CAVITATION
In the design of hydraulic turbine, cavitation is an important factor. As the outlet
velocity V2 increases, then p2 decreases and has its lowest value when the vapor
pressure is reached.
At this pressure, cavitation begins. The Thoma parameter s ¼ NPSH H and
Fig. 3.19 give the permissible value of sc in terms of specific speed.
The turbines of high specific speed have a high critical value of s, and must
therefore be set lower than those of smaller specific speed (Ns).
Illustrative Example 3.9: Consider an inward flow reaction turbine in

which velocity of flow at inlet is 3.8 m/s. The 1 m diameter wheel rotates at
240 rpm and absolute velocity makes an angle of 168 with wheel tangent.
Determine (1) velocity of whirl at inlet, (2) absolute velocity of water at inlet, (3)
vane angle at inlet, and (4) relative velocity of water at entrance.

114 Chapter 3
Figure 3.16 Kaplan turbine of water is available at low heads.

Figure 3.17 Kaplan turbine runner.
Solution: From Fig. 3.13b

1. From inlet velocity triangle (subscript 1)
C r1 C r1 3:8
tana1 ¼ or C w1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 13:3 m/s
C w1 tana1 tan168
2. Absolute velocity of water at inlet, C1, is
C r1 C r1 3:8
sina1 ¼ or C 1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 13:79 m/s
C1 sina1 sin168
3.
ðpD1 ÞðNÞ ðpÞð1Þð240Þ
U1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 12:57 m/s
60 60

116 Chapter 3
Figure 3.18 Velocity triangles for an axial flow hydraulic turbine.
and
C r1 3:8 3:8
tan b1 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 5:21
ðC w1 2 U 1 Þ ð13:3 2 12:57Þ 0:73
[ b1 ¼ 798 nearby
4. Relative velocity of water at entrance
C r1 C r1 3:8
sin b1 ¼ or V 1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 3:87m/s
V1 sin b1 sin 798
Illustrative Example 3.10: The runner of an axial flow turbine has mean
diameter of 1.5 m, and works under the head of 35 m. The guide blades make an
angle of 308 with direction of motion and outlet blade angle is 228. Assuming
axial discharge, calculate the speed and hydraulic efficiency of the turbine.

Figure 3.19 Cavitation limits for reaction turbines.
Figure 3.20 Velocity triangles (a) inlet and (b) outlet.

118 Chapter 3
Solution:
Since this is an impulse turbine, assume coefficient of velocity ¼ 0.98
Therefore the absolute velocity at inlet is
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
C1 ¼ 0:98 2gH ¼ 0:98 ð2Þð9:81Þð35Þ ¼ 25:68 m/s
The velocity of whirl at inlet
Cw1 ¼ C1 cos a1 ¼ 25:68 cos 308 ¼ 22:24 m/s
Since U1 ¼ U2 ¼ U
Using outlet velocity triangle
C2 ¼ U 2 tan b2 ¼ U tan b2 ¼ U tan 228
Hydraulic efficiency of turbine (neglecting losses)
C w1 U 1 H 2 C 22 /2g
hh ¼ ¼
gH H
22:24U ðU tan 228Þ2

¼H2
g 2g
or
22:24U ðU tan 22Þ2
þ ¼H
g 2g
or
22:24U þ 0:082U 2 2 9:81H ¼ 0
or
0:082U 2 þ 22:24U 2 9:81H ¼ 0
or
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
222:24 ^ ð22:24Þ2 þ ð4Þð0:082Þð9:81Þð35Þ
U¼
ð2Þð0:082Þ
As U is positive,
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
U ¼ 222:24 þ 0:164
494:62 þ 112:62
¼ 222:24 þ 24:64 ¼ 14:63 m/s

0:164
Now using relation

pDN
U¼
60

or
60U ð60Þð14:63Þ
N¼ ¼ ¼ 186 rpm
pD ðpÞð1:5Þ
Hydraulic efficiency
C w1 U ð22:24Þð14:63Þ
hh ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:948 or 94:8%
gH ð9:81Þð35Þ
Illustrative Example 3.11: A Kaplan runner develops 9000 kW under a

head of 5.5 m. Assume a speed ratio of 2.08, flow ratio 0.68, and mechanical
efficiency 85%. The hub diameter is 1/3 the diameter of runner. Find the diameter
of the runner, and its speed and specific speed.
Solution:
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
U 1 ¼ 2:08 2gH ¼ 2:08 ð2Þð9:81Þð5:5Þ ¼ 21:61 m/s
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Cr1 ¼ 0:68 2gH ¼ 0:68 ð2Þð9:81Þð5:5Þ ¼ 7:06 m/s
Now power is given by
9000 ¼ ð9:81Þð5:5Þð0:85ÞQ
Therefore,
Q ¼ 196:24 m3 /s
If D is the runner diameter and, d, the hub diameter
p
Q ¼ ðD 2 2 d 2 ÞC r1
4
or

p 1 2
D 2 D 7:06 ¼ 196:24
2
4 9
Solving
rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
D¼ ð196:24Þð4Þð9Þ ¼ 6:31 m
ðpÞð7:06Þð8Þ
pffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
N s ¼ N 5/4P ¼ 65 9000 ¼ 732 rpm
H 5:55/4
Design Example 3.12: A propeller turbine develops 12,000 hp, and rotates
at 145 rpm under a head of 20 m. The outer and hub diameters are 4 m and 1.75 m,

120 Chapter 3
respectively. Calculate the inlet and outlet blade angles measured at mean radius
if overall and hydraulic efficiencies are 85% and 93%, respectively.
Solution:
4 þ 1:75
Mean diameter ¼ ¼ 2:875 m
2
pDN ðpÞð2:875Þð145Þ
U1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 21:84 m/s
60 60
Using hydraulic efficiency
C w1 U 1 ðC w1 Þð21:84Þ
hh ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:93Cw1
gH ð9:81Þð20Þ
or
Cw1 ¼ 8:35 m/s
Power ¼ ð12; 000Þð0:746Þ ¼ 8952 kW
Power ¼ rgQH ho
or
8952 ¼ 9:81 £ Q £ 20 £ 0:85
8952
Therefore, Q ¼ ð9:81Þð20Þð0:85Þ ¼ 53:68 m3 /s
Discharge, Q ¼ 53:68 ¼ p4 ð4 2 1:75 ÞC r1
2 2
[ Cr1 ¼ 5:28 m/s
C r1 5:28 5:28
tan b1 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:3914
U 1 2 Cw1 21:84 2 8:35 13:49
b1 ¼ 21:388
and
C r2 5:28
tan b2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:2418
U 2 21:84
b2 ¼ 13:598
Illustrative Example 3.13: An inward flow reaction turbine wheel has

outer and inner diameter are 1.4 m and 0.7 m respectively. The wheel has radial
vanes and discharge is radial at outlet and the water enters the vanes at an angle of
128. Assuming velocity of flow to be constant, and equal to 2.8 m/s, find

Figure 3.21 Velocity triangles at inlet and outlet for Example 3.13.
1. The speed of the wheel, and

2. The vane angle at outlet.
Solution:
Outer diameter, D2 ¼ 1.4 m
Inner diameter, D1 ¼ 0.7 m
Angle at which the water enters the vanes, a1 ¼ 128
Velocity of flow at inlet,
C r1 ¼ C r2 ¼ 2:8 m/s
As the vanes are radial at inlet and outlet end, the velocity of whirl at inlet
and outlet will be zero, as shown in Fig. 3.21.
Tangential velocity of wheel at inlet,
C r1 2:8
U1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 13:15 m/s
tan 128 0:213
Also, U 1 ¼ pD602 N or
60U 1 ð60Þð13:15Þ
N¼ ¼ ¼ 179 rpm
pD2 ðpÞð1:4Þ

122 Chapter 3
Let b2 is the vane angle at outlet

pD1 N ðpÞð0:7Þð179Þ
U2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 6:56 m/s
60 60
From Outlet triangle,
C r2 2:8
tan b2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:4268 i:e: b2 ¼ 23:118
U2 6:56
Illustrative Example 3.14: Consider an inward flow reaction turbine in

which water is supplied at the rate of 500 L/s with a velocity of flow of 1.5 m/s.
The velocity periphery at inlet is 20 m/s and velocity of whirl at inlet is 15 m/s.
Assuming radial discharge, and velocity of flow to be constant, find
1. Vane angle at inlet, and
2. Head of water on the wheel.
Solution:
Discharge, Q ¼ 500 L/s ¼ 0.5 m3/s
Velocity of flow at inlet, Cr1 ¼ 1.5 m/s
Velocity of periphery at inlet, U1 ¼ 20 m/s
Velocity of whirl at inlet, Cw1 ¼ 15 m/s
As the velocity of flow is constant, Cr1 ¼ Cr2 ¼ 1.5 m/s
Let b1 ¼ vane angle at inlet
C r1 1:5
tan ð180 2 b1 Þ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:3
U 1 2 C w1 20 2 15
[ ð180 2 b1 Þ ¼ 168410
or
b1 ¼ 1808 2 168410 ¼ 1638190
Since the discharge is radial at outlet, ad so the velocity of whirl at outlet is
zero
Therefore,
Cw1 U 1 C2 C2
¼ H 2 1 ¼ H 2 r1
g 2g 2g

or
ð15Þð20Þ 1:52
¼H2
9:81 ð2Þð9:81Þ
[ H ¼ 30:58 2 0:1147 ¼ 30:47 m
Design Example 3.15: Inner and outer diameters of an outward flow reaction
turbine wheel are 1 m and 2 m respectively. The water enters the vane at angle of
208 and leaves the vane radially. Assuming the velocity of flow remains constant at
12 m/s and wheel rotates at 290 rpm, find the vane angles at inlet and outlet.
Solution:
Inner diameter of wheel, D1 ¼ 1 m
Outer diameter of wheel, D2 ¼ 2 m
a1 ¼ 208
Velocity of flow is constant
That is, Cr1 ¼ Cr2 ¼ 12 m/s
Speed of wheel, N ¼ 290 rpm
Vane angle at inlet ¼ b1
U1 is the velocity of periphery at inlet.
Therefore, U 1 ¼ pD1N ðpÞð1Þð290Þ ¼ 15:19 m/s

60 ¼ 60
From inlet triangle, velocity of whirl is given by
12 12
C w1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 32:97 m/s
tan 20 0:364
Hence, tan b1 ¼ C C2r1 12 12

U 1 ¼ 32:97 2 15:19 ¼ 17:78 ¼ 0:675
w1
i.e. b1 ¼ 348
Let b2 ¼ vane angle at outlet
U2 ¼ velocity of periphery at outlet
pD2 N ðpÞð2Þð290Þ
Therefore U 2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 30:38 m/s
60 60
From the outlet triangle
C r2 12
tan b2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:395
U2 30:38

124 Chapter 3
i.e.,
b2 ¼ 218330
Illustrative Example 3.16: An inward flow turbine is supplied with 245 L

of water per second and works under a total head of 30 m. The velocity of wheel
periphery at inlet is 16 m/s. The outlet pipe of the turbine is 28 cm in diameter.
The radial velocity is constant. Neglecting friction, calculate
1. The vane angle at inlet
2. The guide blade angle
3. Power.
Solution:
If D1 is the diameter of pipe, then discharge is
p
Q ¼ D21 C 2
4
or
ð4Þð0:245Þ
C2 ¼ ¼ 3:98 m/s
ðpÞð0:28Þ2
But C2 ¼ Cr1 ¼ Cr2
Neglecting losses, we have
Cw1 U 1 H 2 C22 /2g
¼
gH H
or
Cw1 U 1 ¼ gH 2 C22 /2
ð3:98Þ2
¼ ½ð9:81Þð30Þ 2 ¼ 294:3 2 7:92 ¼ 286:38
2
Power developed
P ¼ ð286:38Þð0:245Þ kW ¼ 70:16 kW
286:38
and Cw1 ¼ ¼ 17:9 m/s
16
3:98
tan a1 ¼ ¼ 0:222
17:9
i.e. a1 ¼ 128310
C r1 3:98 3:98
tan b1 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 2:095
C w1 2 U 1 17:9 2 16 1:9
i.e. b1 ¼ 64.43 or b1 ¼ 648250

Design Example 3.17: A reaction turbine is to be selected from the

following data:
Discharge ¼ 7:8 m3 /s
Shaft power ¼ 12; 400 kW
Pressure head in scroll casing
at the entrance to turbine ¼ 164 m of water
Elevation of turbine casing above tail water level ¼ 5:4 m
Diameter of turbine casing ¼ 1 m
Velocity in tail race ¼ 1:6 m/s
Calculate the effective head on the turbine and the overall efficiency of the
unit.
Solution:
Velocity in casing at inlet to turbine
Discharge
Cc ¼ Cross 2 sectional area of casing
¼ 7:8 2 ¼ 9:93 m/s

ðp/4Þð1Þ
The net head on turbine
C2 2 C2
¼ Pressure head þ Head due to turbine position þ c 2g 1
¼ 164 þ 5:4 þ ð9:93Þ 2g

2 ð1:6Þ2
2
2 2:56 ¼ 174:3 m of water

¼ 164 þ 5:4 þ 98:619:62
Waterpower supplied to turbine ¼ QgH kW

¼ ð7:8Þð9:81Þð174:3Þ ¼ 13; 337 kW
Hence overall efficiency,
Shaft Power 12; 400
ho ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:93 or 93%
Water Power 13; 337
Design Example 3.18: A Francis turbine wheel rotates at 1250 rpm and net
head across the turbine is 125 m. The volume flow rate is 0.45 m3/s, radius of the
runner is 0.5 m. The height of the runner vanes at inlet is 0.035 m. and the angle of

126 Chapter 3
the inlet guide vanes is set at 708 from the radial direction. Assume that the
absolute flow velocity is radial at exit, find the torque and power exerted by the
water. Also calculate the hydraulic efficiency.
Solution:
For torque, using angular momentum equation
T ¼ mðCw2 r 2 2 Cw1 r 1 Þ
As the flow is radial at outlet, Cw2 ¼ 0 and therefore
T ¼ 2mC w1 r 1
¼ 2rQC w1 r 1
¼ 2ð103 Þð0:45Þð0:5Cw1 Þ
¼ 2225C w1 Nm
If h1 is the inlet runner height, then inlet area, A, is
A ¼ 2pr 1 h1
¼ ð2ÞðpÞð0:5Þð0:035Þ ¼ 0:11m2
0:45
Cr1 ¼ Q/A ¼ ¼ 4:1 m/s
0:11
From velocity triangle, velocity of whirl
Cw1 ¼ Cr1 tan708 ¼ ð4:1Þð2:75Þ ¼ 11:26m/s
Substituting Cw1, torque is given by
T ¼ 2ð225Þð11:26Þ ¼ 22534 Nm
Negative sign indicates that torque is exerted on the fluid. The torque
exerted by the fluid is þ 2534 Nm
Power exerted
P ¼ Tv
¼ ð2534Þð2ÞðpÞð1250Þ
ð60Þð1000Þ
¼ 331:83 kW

Hydraulic efficiency is given by
Power exerted
hh ¼ Power available
¼ ð331:83Þð10 Þ
3
rgQH
¼ 331:83 £ 103
ð103 Þð9:81Þð0:45Þð125Þ
¼ 0:6013 ¼ 60:13%
Design Example 3.19: An inward radial flow turbine develops 130 kW

under a head of 5 m. The flow velocity is 4 m/s and the runner tangential velocity at
inlet is 9.6 m/s. The runner rotates at 230 rpm while hydraulic losses accounting for
20% of the energy available. Calculate the inlet guide vane exit angle, the inlet
angle to the runner vane, the runner diameter at the inlet, and the height of the
runner at inlet. Assume radial discharge, and overall efficiency equal to 72%.
Solution:
Hydraulic efficiency is
Power deleloped
hh ¼ Power available
¼ mðC w1 U 1 2 C w2 UÞ
rgQH
Since flow is radial at outlet, then Cw2 ¼ 0 and m ¼ rQ, therefore
C w1 U 1
hh ¼
gH
ðCw1 Þð9:6Þ
0:80 ¼
ð9:81Þð5Þ
ð0:80Þð9:81Þð5Þ
Cw1 ¼ ¼ 4:09 m/s
9:6
Radial velocity Cr1 ¼ 4 m/s
tan a1 ¼ C r1 /C w1 ðfrom velocity triangleÞ

4 ¼ 0:978
¼ 4:09

128 Chapter 3
i.e., inlet guide vane angle a1 ¼ 448210
C r1
tan b1 ¼
ðC w1 2 U 1 Þ
4 4
¼ ¼ ¼ 20:726
ð4:09 2 9:6Þ 25:51
i.e., b1 ¼ 2 35.988 or 1808 2 35.98 ¼ 144.028

Runner speed is
pD1 N
U1 ¼
60
or
60U 1 ð60Þð9:6Þ
D1 ¼ ¼
pN ðpÞð230Þ
D1 ¼ 0:797 m
Overall efficiency
Power output
ho ¼
Power available
or
ð130Þð103 Þ
rgQH ¼
0:72
or
ð130Þð103 Þ
Q¼ ¼ 3:68 m3 /s
ð0:72Þð103 Þð9:81Þð5Þ
But
Q ¼ pD1 h1 C r1 ðwhere h1 is the height of runnerÞ
Therefore,
3:68
h1 ¼ ¼ 0:367 m
ðpÞð0:797Þð4Þ
Illustrative Example 3.20: The blade tip and hub diameters of an axial
hydraulic turbine are 4.50 m and 2 m respectively. The turbine has a net head of
22 m across it and develops 22 MW at a speed of 150 rpm. If the hydraulic
efficiency is 92% and the overall efficiency 84%, calculate the inlet and outlet
blade angles at the mean radius assuming axial flow at outlet.

Solution:
Mean diameter, Dm, is given by
Dh þ Dt 2 þ 4:50
Dm ¼ ¼ ¼ 3:25 m
2 2
Overall efficiency, ho, is given by
Power develpoed
ho ¼
Power available
22
[ Power available ¼ ¼ 26:2 MW
0:84
Also, available power ¼ rgQH
ð26:2Þð106 Þ ¼ ð103 Þð9:81Þð22ÞQ
Hence flow rate, Q, is given by
ð26:2Þð106 Þ
Q¼ ¼ 121:4 m3 /s
ð103 Þð9:81Þð22Þ
Now rotor speed at mean diameter
pDm N ðpÞð3:25Þð150Þ
Um ¼ ¼ ¼ 25:54 m/s
60 60
Power given to runner ¼ Power available £ hh
¼ 26:2 £ 106 £ 0:92
¼ 24:104 MW
Theoretical power given to runner can be found by using

P ¼ rQU m Cw1 ðC w2 ¼ 0Þ
ð24:104Þð106 Þ ¼ ð103 Þð121:4Þð25:54ÞðC w1 Þ
ð24:104Þð106 Þ
[ C w1 ¼ ¼ 7:77 m/s
ð103 Þð121:4Þð25:54Þ
Axial velocity is given by
Q£4 ð121:4Þð4Þ
Cr ¼ ¼ ¼ 9:51 m/s
pðD2t 2 D2h Þ pð4:502 2 22 Þ
Using velocity triangle

Cr 9:51
tan ð180 2 b1 Þ ¼ ¼
U m 2 C w1 25:54 2 7:77

130 Chapter 3
Inlet angle,
b1 ¼ 151:858
At outlet
Cr
tan b2 ¼
V cw2
But Vcw2 equals to Um since Cw2 is zero. Hence
9:51
tan b2 ¼ ¼ 0:3724
25:54
that is,
b2 ¼ 20:438
Design Example 3.21: The following design data apply to an inward flow
radial turbine:
Overall efficiency 75%
Net head across the turbine 6m
Power output 128 kW
The runner tangential velocity 10:6 m/s
Flow velocity 4 m/s
Runner rotational speed 235 rpm
Hydraulic losses 18% of energy available
Calculate the inlet guide vane angle, the inlet angle of the runner vane, the
runner diameter at inlet, and height of the runner at inlet. Assume that the
discharge is radial.
Solution:
Hydraulic efficiency, hh, is given by
Power given to runner
hh ¼ Water Power available
¼ mðU 1 Crw1gQH
2 U 2 C w2 Þ
Since flow is radial at exit, Cw2 ¼ 0 and m ¼ rQ. Therefore

U 1 Cw1
hh ¼
gH
ð10:6ÞðCw1 Þ
0:82 ¼ or Cw1 ¼ 4:6 m/s
ð9:81Þð6Þ

Now
4
tan a1 ¼ Cr1 /C w1 ¼ ¼ 0:8695
4:6
that is; a1 ¼ 418
From Figs. 3.22 and 3.23
C r1 4
tan ð180 2 b1 Þ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:667
U 1 2 Cw1 10:6 2 4:6
that is; b1 ¼ 33:698
Hence blade angle, b1, is given by
1808 2 33:698 ¼ 146:318
Runner speed at inlet
pD1 N
U1 ¼
60
Figure 3.22 Velocity triangles for Example 3.14.

132 Chapter 3
Figure 3.23 Velocity triangles at inlet and outlet for Example 3.15.
Figure 3.24 Inlet velocity triangle.

or
U 1 ð60Þ ð10:6Þð60Þ
D1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:86 m
pN ðpÞð235Þ
Overall efficiency
Power output
ho ¼
Power available
ð128Þð103 Þ
rgQH ¼
0:75
From which flow rate
ð128Þð103 Þ
Q¼ ¼ 2:9 m3 /s
ð0:75Þð103 Þð9:81Þð6Þ
Also,
Q ¼ pD1 hC r1
where h1 is the height of runner
Therefore,
2:9
h1 ¼ ¼ 0:268 m
ðpÞð0:86Þð4Þ
Design Example 3.22: A Kaplan turbine develops 10,000 kW under an

effective head 8 m. The overall efficiency is 0.86, the speed ratio 2.0, and flow
ratio 0.60. The hub diameter of the wheel is 0.35 times the outside diameter of
the wheel. Find the diameter and speed of the turbine.
Solution:
Head, H ¼ 8 m, Power, P ¼ 10,000 kW
Overall efficiency, ho ¼ 0.86
Speed ratio
U1 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
2¼ ; or U l ¼ 2 £ 9:81 £ 8 ¼ 25:06 m/s
ð2gHÞ 1=2
Flow ratio
C r1 pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
¼ 0:60 or C r1 ¼ 0:60 2 £ 9:81 £ 8 ¼ 7:52 m/s
ð2gHÞ 1=2
Hub diameter, D1 ¼ 0.35 D2

134 Chapter 3
Overall efficiency,
P
ho ¼
rgQH
Or
10000
0:86 ¼
1000 £ 9:81 £ Q £ 8
[ Q ¼ 148:16 m3 /s
Now using the relation

p 2
Q ¼ Cr1 £ D 1 2 D 22
4
Or
p 2
148:16 ¼ 7:52 £ D 1 2 0:35D 21

4
[ D1 ¼ 5:35 m
The peripheral velocity of the turbine at inlet

pD1 N p £ 5:35 £ N
25:06 ¼ ¼
60 60
60 £ 25:06
[ N¼ ¼ 89 rpm
p £ 5:35
Design Example 3.23: An inward flow reaction turbine, having an inner

and outer diameter of 0.45 m and 0.90 m, respectively. The vanes are radial at
inlet and the discharge is radial at outlet and the water enters the vanes at an angle
of 128. Assuming the velocity of flow as constant and equal to 2.8 m/s, find the
speed of the wheel and the vane angle at outlet.
Solution:
Inner Diameter, D2 ¼ 0.45 m
Outer Diameter, D1 ¼ 0.9 m
a2 ¼ 908ðradial dischargeÞ
a1 ¼ 128; Cr1 ¼ Cr2 ¼ 2:8 m/s

From velocity triangle at inlet (see Fig. 3.11), The peripheral velocity of the
wheel at inlet
C r1 2:8
U1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 13:173 m/s
tan a1 tan 128
Now,
pD1 N
U1 ¼
60
or
60U 1 60 £ 13:173
N¼ ¼ ¼ 279 rpm
pD1 p £ 0:9
Considering velocity triangle at outlet peripheral velocity at outlet
pD2 N p £ 0:45 £ 279
U2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 6:58 m/s
60 60
Cr2 2:8
tan b2 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:426
U 2 6:58
[ b2 ¼ 23:058
Design Example 3.24: An inward flow reaction turbine develops 70 kW at

370 rpm. The inner and outer diameters of the wheel are 40 and 80 cm,
respectively. The velocity of the water at exit is 2.8 m/s. Assuming that the
discharge is radial and that the width of the wheel is constant, find the actual and
theoretical hydraulic efficiencies of the turbine and the inlet angles of the guide
and wheel vanes. Turbine discharges 545 L/s under a head of 14 m.
Solution:
Q ¼ 545 L/s ¼ 0.545 m3/s
D1 ¼ 80 cm, D2 ¼ 40 cm
H ¼ 14 m, a2 ¼ 908 (radial discharge)
b1 ¼ b2
Peripheral velocity of the wheel at inlet
pD1 N p £ 0:80 £ 370
U1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 15:5 m/s
60 60
Velocity of flow at the exit, Cr2 ¼ 2.8 m/s
As a2 ¼ 908, Cr2 ¼ C2
Work done/s by the turbine per kg of water ¼ Cwg£U1

136 Chapter 3
But this is equal to the head utilized by the turbine, i.e.

Cw1 U 1 C2
¼H2
g 2g
(Assuming there is no loss of pressure at outlet) or
Cw1 £ 15:5 ð2:8Þ2
¼ 14 2 ¼ 13:6 m
9:81 2 £ 9:81
or
13:6 £ 9:81
Cw1 ¼ ¼ 8:6 m/s
15:5
Work done per second by turbine
¼ rgQ Cw1 U 1
¼ 1000 £ 0:545 £ 8:6 £ 15:5

1000
¼ 72:65kW
rgQH
Available power or water power ¼ 1000
¼ 74:85
Actual available power ¼ 70 kW

70
Overall turbine efficiency isht ¼ £ 100
74:85
ht ¼ 93:52%
This is the actual hydraulic efficiency as required in the problem.

Hydraulic Efficiency is
72:65
hh ¼ £ 100 ¼ 97:06%
75:85
This is the theoretical efficiency
Q ¼ pD1 b1 Cr1 ¼ pD2 b2 Cr2
(Neglecting blade thickness)
D2 40
Cr1 ¼ Cr2 ¼ 2:8 £ ¼ 1:4 m/s
D1 20
Drawing inlet velocity triangle
C r1 1:4 1:4
tan b1 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:203
U 1 2 C w1 15:5 2 8:6 6:9

i.e., b1 ¼ 11.478
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 0:5
C 1 ¼ Cw1 þ Cr1 ¼ 8:62 þ 1:42 ¼ 8:64 m/s
and
C w1 8:6
cosa1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:995
C1 8:64
i.e., a1 ¼ 5.58
Design Example 3.25: An inward flow Francis turbine, having an overall

efficiency
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiof 86%, hydraulic efficiency of 90%, and radial velocity of flow at inlet
0.28 2gH . The turbine is required to develop 5000 kW when operating under a
net head of 30 m, specific speed is 270, assume guide vane angle 308, find
1. rpm of the wheel,
2. the diameter and the width of the runner at inlet, and
3. the theoretical inlet angle of the runner vanes.
Solution: pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Power, P ¼ 5000 kW; a1 ¼ 308; H ¼ 30 m; Cr1 ¼ 0:28 2gH , Ns ¼ 270,
hh ¼ 0.90, ho ¼ 0.86
1. Specific speed of the turbine is
pffiffiffi
N P
N s ¼ 5=4
H
or
Ns H5=4 270 £ ð30Þ1:25 18957
N¼ pffiffiffi ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ¼ ¼ 267 rpm
P 5000 71
2. Velocity of Flow:
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Cr1 ¼ 0:28 2 £ 9:81 £ 30 ¼ 6:79m/s

C r1 ¼ C 1 sin a1
or
6:79 ¼ C 1 sin 308
or
6:79
C1 ¼ ¼ 13:58 m/s
0:5
Cw1 ¼ C1 cos308 ¼ 13.58 £ 0.866 ¼ 11.76 m/s

138 Chapter 3
Work done per (sec) (kg) of water

C w1 £ U 1
¼ ¼ hh £ H
g
¼ 0:9 £ 30
¼ 27 mkg/s
Peripheral Velocity,
27 £ 9:81
U1 ¼ ¼ 22:5 m/s
11:76
But U 1 ¼ pD1N
60
or
60U 1 60 £ 22:5
D1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 1:61 m
pN p £ 267
Power, P ¼ rgQHho
or
5000 ¼ 1000 £ 9.81 £ Q £ 30 £ 0.86
or
Q ¼ 19.8 m3/s
Also Q ¼ kpD1b1Cr1 (where k is the blade thickness coefficient and b1
is the breath of the wheel at inlet) or
Q 19:8
b1 ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:61 m
kpD1 C r1 0:95 £ p £ 1:61 £ 6:79
3. From inlet velocity triangle

C r1 6:79 6:79
tan b1 ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:632
U 1 2 C w1 22:5 2 11:76 10:74
i.e. b1 ¼ 32.308
Design Example 3.26: A 35 MW generator is to operate by a double

overhung Pelton wheel. The effective head is 350 m at the base of the nozzle.
Find the size of jet, mean diameter of the runner and specific speed of wheel.
Assume Pelton wheel efficiency 84%, velocity coefficient of nozzle 0.96, jet ratio
12, and speed ratio 0.45.
Solution:
In this case, the generator is fed by two Pelton turbines.

Power developed by each turbine,

35; 000
PT ¼ ¼ 17; 500 kW
2
Using Pelton wheel efficiency in order to find available power of each
turbine
17; 500
P¼ ¼ 20; 833 kW
0:84
But, P ¼ rgQH
P 20833
Q¼ ¼ ¼ 6:07 m3 /s
rgH 1000 £ 9:81 £ 350
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Velocity of jet,C j ¼ C v 2gH ¼ 0:96 2 £ 9:81 £ 350
Cj ¼ 79:6 m/s
Area of jet, A ¼ CQj ¼ 6:07

79:6 ¼ 0:0763 m
2
0:5 0:5
[ Diameter of jet,d ¼ 4A ¼ 4 £ 0:0763 ¼ 0:312 m
p p
d ¼ 31:2 cm
Diameter of wheel D ¼ d £ jet ratio ¼ 0.312 £ 12 ¼ 3.744 m

Peripheral velocity of the wheel
U ¼ speed ratio 2gH
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
¼ 0:45 £ 2 £ 9:81 £ 350 ¼ 37:29 m/s
But U ¼ p60
DN or
60U 60 £ 37:29
N¼ ¼ ¼ 190 rpm
pD p £ 3:744
Specific speed,
pffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
N PT 190 17; 500
N s ¼ 5=4 ¼ ¼ 16:6
H ð350Þ1:25
PROBLEMS
3.1 A Pelton wheel produces 4600 hP under a head of 95 m, and with an overall
efficiency of 84%. Find the diameter of the nozzle if the coefficient of
velocity for the nozzle is 0.98.
(0.36 m)

140 Chapter 3
3.2 Pelton wheel develops 13,500 kW under a head of 500 m. The wheel rotates
at 430 rpm. Find the size of the jet and the specific speed. Assume 85%
efficiency.
(0.21 m, 21)
3.3 A Pelton wheel develops 2800 bhP under a head of 300 m at 84% efficiency.
The ratio of peripheral velocity of wheel to jet velocity is 0.45 and specific
speed is 17. Assume any necessary data and find the jet diameter.
(140 mm)
3.4 A Pelton wheel of power station develops 30,500 hP under a head of 1750 m
while running at 760 rpm. Calculate (1) the mean diameter of the runner,
(2) the jet diameter, and (3) the diameter ratio.
(2.14 m, 0.104 m, 20.6)
3.5 Show that in an inward flow reaction turbine, when the velocity of flow is
constant and wheel vane angle at entrance is 908, the best peripheral
velocity is
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
2gH / 2 þ tan2 a
where H is the head and a the angle of guide vane.

3.6 A Pelton wheel develops 740 kW under a head of 310 m. Find the jet
diameter if its efficiency is 86% and
C v ¼ 0:98:
(0.069 m)
3.7 A reaction turbine runner diameter is 3.5 m at inlet and 2.5 m at outlet.
The turbine discharge 102 m3 per second of water under a head of
145 m. Its inlet vane angle is 1208. Assume radial discharge at 14 m/s,
breadth of wheel constant and hydraulic efficiency of 88%, calculate
the power developed and speed of machine.
(128 MW, 356 rpm)
3.8 Show that in a Pelton wheel, where the buckets deflect the water through an
angle of (1808 2 a) degrees, the hydraulic efficiency of the wheel is given by
2UðC 2 UÞð1 þ cos aÞ
hh ¼
C2
where C is the velocity of jet and U is mean blade velocity.
3.9 A Kaplan turbine produces 16000 kW under a head of 20 m, while running
at 166 rpm. The diameter of the runner is 4.2 m while the hub diameter is
2 m, the discharge being 120 m3/s. Calculate (1) the turbine efficiency,

(2) specific speed, (3) the speed ratio based on the tip diameter of the blade,
and (4) the flow ratio.
(78%, 497, 1.84, 0.48)
3.10 Evolve a formula for the specific speed of a Pelton wheel in the following
form
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffi d
N s ¼ k h
D
where Ns ¼ specific speed, h ¼ overall efficiency, d ¼ diameter of jet,
D ¼ diameter of bucket circle, and k ¼ a constant.
NOTATION
C jet velocity, absolute
Cv nozzle velocity coefficient
Cw velocity of whirl
D wheel diameter
d diameter of nozzle
E energy transfer by bucket
Hr head across the runner
hf frictional head loss
Ns specific speed
P water power available
Pc casing and draft tube losses
Ph hydraulic power loss
Pl leakage loss
Pm mechanical power loss
Pr runner power loss
Ps shaft power output
U bucket speed
W work done
a angle of the blade tip at outlet
b angle with relative velocity
hi nozzle efficiency
htrans transmission efficiency
k relative velocity ratio

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3

3.2 PELTON WHEEL

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.1 Single-jet, horizontal shaft Pelton turbine.

3.3 VELOCITY TRIANGLES

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.2 Velocity triangles for a Pelton wheel.

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Substituting Eq. (3.2) into Eq. (3.1) we get

Emax ¼ C21 ð1 2 cos aÞ/4g

3.4 PELTON WHEEL (LOSSES AND EFFICIENCIES)

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.3 Schematic layout of hydro plant.

Nozzle velocity coefﬁcient

Figure 3.4 Efﬁciency vs. speed at various nozzle settings.

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.5 Power vs. speed of various nozzle setting.

Illustrative Example 3.1: A generator is to be driven by a Pelton wheel

Refer to Fig. 3.6

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.6 Inlet and outlet velocity triangles.

¼ ð65:7Þð14Þ þ ð34:58Þð14Þ ¼ 1403:92 Nm

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

[ P ¼ rgQH ho J/s ¼ rgQH ho

U ¼ 0:45ð40:36Þ ¼ 18:16 m/s

2. If D is the wheel diameter, then

and Jet diameter, d, is given by

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

3. Dimensionless speciﬁc speed is given by Eq. (1.10)

Figure 3.7 Velocity triangle for Example 3.3.

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

V 2 ¼ 15:12 m / s and U 2 ¼ 14 m/s

Cw2 ¼ V 2 cosa2 2 U 2 ¼ 15:12 cos 208 2 14

[ Power developed ¼ ð410:6Þð0:82

¼ ð1000Þð336:7Þ ¼ 0:930 or 93:0%

Illustrative Example 3.4: A Pelton wheel develops 12,900 kW at 425 rpm

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tangential velocity of the wheel is given by

Illustrative Example 3.5: A double Overhung Pelton wheel unit is to operate

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Since there are two runners, power developed by each runner

Using nozzle velocity coefﬁcient

¼ U fðU þ V 1 Þ 2 ½U 2 V 2 cosð1808 2 aÞg

Therefore, W/m ¼ 0.46C1(C1 2 0.46C1)(1 2 0.9 cos 1658)

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.8 Velocity triangle for Example 3.6.

Actual hydraulic efficiency ¼ ð0:9Þð0:98Þ ¼ 0:882

Wheel bucket speed ¼ ð0:46Þð103Þ ¼ 47:38 m/s

Therefore, m ¼ ð1260 £ 103 Þ ¼ 269 kg/s

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Figure 3.9 Velocity triangle for Example 3.7.

Solution: (Fig. 3.9)

Therefore, V1 ¼ C1 2 U1 ¼ 33.62 2 12 ¼ 21.62 m/s

V 2 ¼ V 1 ¼ 21:16 m/s (neglecting losses)

Cw2 ¼ V 2 cos a 2 U 2 ¼ 21:62 cos 158 2 12 ¼ 8:88 m/s

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved

C21 2 C22 ð33:62Þ2 2 ð10:5Þ2

Relative velocity, V1, at inlet is given by

Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved