MEE 421 FLUID MACHINERY

HYDRAULIC TURBINE
Hydraulic turbines are machines that convert hydraulic energy into
mechanical energy. The mechanical energy developed by a turbine is
used in running an electric generator which is directly coupled to the
shaft of the turbine. The generator develops electric power which is also
sometimes known as hydroelectric power. In general, a water turbine
consists of a wheel called a runner which is provided with specially
designed blades or buckets. The water possesses large hydraulic energy
when strikes the runner and causes it to rotate.
CLASSIFICATION OF TURBINES

1. The main classification depends upon the type of action of the

water on the turbine.
These are: (a) Impulse Turbine (b) Reaction Turbine.
(a) Impulse turbine
In the case an of impulse turbine all the potential energy is converted to
kinetic energy in the nozzles. The impulse provided by the jets is used to
turn the turbine wheel. The pressure inside the turbine is atmospheric.
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This type is suitable when the available potential energy is high, and the
available flow is comparatively low.
Examples: Pelton Wheel, Girad turbine, Banki turbine etc.
(b) Reaction Turbine
In a reaction turbine, the available potential energy is progressively
converted in the turbine rotors and the accelerating water reaction
causes the wheel to turn.
Examples: Francis turbine, Kaplan turbine etc.
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Difference Between Impulse and Reaction Turbine:

S.no Impulse Turbine Reaction Turbine

1. In an impulse turbine, the steam flows In the reaction turbine, first, the steam
through the nozzle and strike on the flows through the guide mechanism
moving blades. and then flows through the moving
blades.

2. Steam strikes on the buckets with The steam glides over the moving
kinetic energy. blades with both pressure and kinetic
energy.

3. During the flow of steam through During the flow of steam through
moving blades, its pressure remains moving blades its pressure reduces.
constant.

4. The steam may or may not be admitted The steam must be admitted over the
to the whole circumference. whole circumference.

5. The blades of impulse turbine are The blades of reaction turbine are not
symmetrical. symmetrical.

6. While gliding over the blades the In reaction turbine, while gliding over
relative velocity of steam remains the blades the relative velocity of
constant. steam increases.

7. For the same power developed, the For the same power developed, the
number of stages required is less. number of stages required is more.
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8. The direction of steam flow is radial to The direction of steam flow is radial
the direction of turbine wheel. and axial to the turbine wheel.

9. It requires less maintenance work. It requires more maintenance work.

10. It is suitable for low discharge. It is suitable for medium and high
discharge.

11. Pelton Wheel is the example of impulse Francis turbine, Kaplan turbine etc. are
turbine. the examples of reaction
turbine.

2. Based on the direction of the Flow of Fluid through the 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.
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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.
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.
Example: Modern Francis turbine, Deriaz turbine.
d)Axial Flow Devices:
In this type of turbine, the water along the direction parallel to the axis
of rotation. Kaplan turbine, propeller turbine etc.
3. Based on the head at the inlet of the turbine:
Hydraulic turbines are classified into:
a) Low head turbines are those which are capable of working under
head less and their heads less than 30 m (Example :- Propeller
Turbine and Kaplan turbine).
Propeller turbine and Kaplan turbine used large quantity of water.
b) Medium had turbines are capable of working under the heads
ranging from 30 to 150m.
Modern Francis turbine is coming under this categories.
c) High head turbines are those turbines which are capable of
working under very high head ranging from 150 to over 1000
metres.
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Impulse turbines are high head turbines and require relatively less
quantity of water.
4. Based on Specific Speed:
Hydraulic turbines are classified into:
a) Low Specific Speed: This employs a high head in the range of 200m
up to 1700 m. These machines required low discharge. Pelton
wheel. Ns = 10 to 30 for single jet and 30 to 50 for double jet Pelton
wheel.
b) Medium Specific Speed: This employs moderate heads in the range
of 50m to 200 m. Francis turbine, N s = 60 to 400.
c) High Specific Speed: This employs very low heads in the range of
2.5 m to 50m. These require high discharge. Kaplan, Propeller etc.
Ns = 400 to 1000.
Pelton Wheel
It is the only impulse turbine being used at present among different types
of impulse turbines. American engineer Leister A. Pelton invented this
turbine in 1880. This turbine requires a comparatively lesser amount of
water, and it works under a very high head. Water is conveyed through
penstocks to the turbine in the powerhouse from the mountain
reservoir. Inside the casing of the turbine, a nozzle is joined at the end of
the penstock. The number of nozzles depends on the specific speed of
the turbine. Water comes out of the nozzle as a free jet. The water jet
impinges at atmospheric pressure on the buckets fixed to the periphery
of a wheel. The impact of the jet produces a force that causes the wheel
to rotate, thus, supplying a torque or mechanical power on the shaft. The
water jet strikes at the middle of the double hemispherical cup-shaped
buckets and discharge backward and flow again tangentially in both
directions to avoid thrust on the wheel. After striking the bucket the jet
is deflected 1650 instead of 1800. As a result, the outgoing jet does not
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hit the back of the incoming buckets and reduces the motion of the
wheel. After doing work on the buckets the water is discharged into the
tail race. The wheel is installed in such a manner so that during rotation
the buckets do not splash into the tail race water. This type of turbine is
not suitable for low heads. Because for a given power if the head is
reduced, the rate of flow has to be increased. As a result, the jet diameter
will be bigger, and consequently, the runner diameter will also be
increased. Due to the low head the jet velocity and the peripheral
velocity of the runner will be reduced. So, for increase of runner
diameter and decrease of runner velocity will make the turbine bulky and
slow running for low heads. This turbine consists of the following
components:
-Nozzle with the control mechanism.
-Runner and buckets
-Casing
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-Hydraulic brake

Pelton Wheel Efficiencies:

To indicate the performance of Pelton the following types of efficiencies
are generallv used.
a) Hydraulic Efficiency (ɳh)
b) Mechanical Efficiency (ɳmech)
c) Overall Efficiency (ɳo)
Nomenclature: Let,
U1 = peripheral velocity at inlet
U2 = peripheral velocity at outlet
V1 = absolute velocity at inlet
V2 = absolute velocity at outlet
Vw1 = velocity of whirl at inlet
Vw2 = velocity of whirl at outlet