Types of Hydro Turbines and Their Applications

Hydro turbines are used to convert the energy of flowing or falling water into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity. There are several types of hydro turbines, each with its own characteristics and applications. Here are the main types of hydro turbines:

An Introduction Of Gas Turbines Pdf Document

1. Francis Turbine: The Francis turbine is the most common type of hydro turbine. It is a reaction turbine that is suitable for medium to high head applications (between 10 to 700 meters). Francis turbines have adjustable guide vanes and runner blades, allowing them to efficiently operate under varying flow rates. They are commonly used in large-scale hydroelectric power plants.
2. Pelton Turbine: The Pelton turbine is a type of impulse turbine used for high head applications (typically above 300 meters). It works by using the impact of a high-velocity jet of water on buckets attached to the runner. Pelton turbines are known for their high efficiency in handling low flow rates and are often used in mountainous regions or areas with high water head.
3. Kaplan Turbine: The Kaplan turbine is a type of axial-flow turbine that is suitable for low head applications (between 2 to 70 meters) with high flow rates. It has adjustable blades on a propeller-like runner, allowing it to optimize its performance under different operating conditions. Kaplan turbines are commonly used in river and tidal power plants.

Basic Training Of Industrial Gas Turbine Pdf Document

1. Bulb Turbine: The bulb turbine is a variant of the Kaplan turbine where the generator is directly integrated into the turbine housing, resembling a bulb shape. This compact design eliminates the need for a separate generator unit and makes it suitable for low head and medium flow rate installations. Bulb turbines are commonly used in small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants.
2. Turgo Turbine: The Turgo turbine is another type of impulse turbine that is suitable for medium head applications (between 30 to 300 meters). It is similar to the Pelton turbine but has a different bucket design, allowing it to operate efficiently at higher flow rates. Turgo turbines are often used in small-scale hydropower projects.
3. Cross-Flow Turbine: The cross-flow turbine, also known as the Banki-Michell turbine, is a type of impulse turbine that operates with a transverse flow of water. It is suitable for low to medium head applications and is often used in small-scale or micro hydropower systems, such as small rivers or irrigation canals.

For More Information Follow Mechanical Knowledge Factory

These are some of the main types of hydro turbines and their typical applications. The selection of the turbine type depends on factors such as head (vertical distance between the water source and the turbine), flow rate, and available site conditions.