FRANCIS TURBINE

The Francis turbine is a reaction turbine that operates on the principle of converting
water's kinetic energy into mechanical power through a combination of radial and axial flow.
American engineer James B. Francis invented it in the mid-19th century. The Francis turbine is
specifically designed to perform efficiently in a diverse range of water head and flow conditions,
making it suitable for medium-head applications. Its distinguishing feature lies in the use of both
fixed and moving guide vanes that direct the water flow toward the runner blades, facilitating
optimal energy conversion.

The Francis Turbine represents a remarkable combination of impulse and reaction turbine
principles. Operating as a reaction turbine, it harnesses the power of water under high pressure,
utilising both the reaction and impulse forces generated as the water flows past its blades. This
turbine is widely employed in hydroelectric power plants for energy generation.. The associated
electric generators typically span power outputs from a few kilowatts to as high as 800
megawatts.
The major components of the Francis turbine include:

Spiral Casing

The spiral casing serves as the inlet for water into the turbine, allowing high-pressure water from
the reservoir or dam to pass through. To ensure efficient striking of the turbine blades, the water's
circular movement is controlled by gradually reducing the casing's diameter, maintaining
uniform pressure and momentum for striking the runner blades effectively.

Stay Vanes

Stationary stay vanes and guide vanes work in tandem to guide the water flow toward the runner
blades. Stay vanes prevent radial flow-induced swirling, improving the turbine's efficiency.

Guide Vanes

The adjustable guide vanes play a vital role in controlling the angle of water striking the turbine
blades, optimizing efficiency. They also regulate the flow rate of water into the runner blades,
allowing the turbine's power output to be adjusted based on the load.

Runner Blades

The design of the runner blades directly impacts the turbine's performance and efficiency. In a
Francis turbine, the runner blades are divided into two parts: the lower half is shaped like small
buckets, utilising impulse action for rotation, and the upper part utilising the reaction force of
water flow. The combination of these forces facilitates the rotation of the runner.

Draft Tube

The draft tube is employed to address the pressure difference at the exit of the runner. As the
pressure is generally lower than atmospheric pressure, the tube gradually increases in the area to
discharge water from the turbine's exit to the tail race. This ensures smooth water flow and
prevents direct discharge into the tail race.

Working Principle of Francis Turbine

The working principle of the Francis turbine is discussed in the following lines:
o Water first enters the runner of the Francis Turbine through guide vanes or wicket gates,
adjustable for flow control.
o The Initial entry involves low velocity and high pressure. The passage over vanes shifts
the pressure to velocity, converting hydraulic energy to kinetic energy.
o This resultant kinetic energy drives the rotation of the turbine wheel.
o The water exiting moves through the draft tube, gradually widening and submerging to
generate a suction head at the runner exit. The suction head facilitates the smooth
transition of water into the tailrace.
 KAPLAN TURBINE
The Kaplan turbine is a type of water turbine that converts the kinetic energy of water into
mechanical power. Invented by Austrian engineer Viktor Kaplan in the early 20th century, this
turbine is specifically designed to harness the power of low to medium-head water sources,
making it ideal for locations with moderate water flow. Its distinguishing feature lies in the
adjustable blades, or "propeller," which can be rotated to optimise performance under varying
flow conditions. This flexibility allows the Kaplan turbine to deliver exceptional efficiency and
power generation across a wide range of water flow rates

The Kaplan Turbine operates based on the fundamental principle of axial flow reaction, where
water flows through the runner in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation. This design enables
the turbine to harness both the kinetic and pressure energy of the water at its inlet, facilitating
effective blade rotation within a hydro-power station.
Main Components of Kaplan Turbine
The Kaplan Turbine comprises several key components that work in harmony to facilitate
efficient power generation:
 Scroll Casing:
The spiral-shaped scroll casing features a decreasing cross-sectional area and serves as the entry
point for water from the penstocks. Within the casing, the water is directed towards the guide
vanes, where it undergoes a 90° turn and flows axially through the runner. This casing plays a
vital role in safeguarding the runner, runner blades, guide vanes, and other internal parts of the
turbine against external damage.
Guide Vane Mechanism:
Among all the components, the guide vane mechanism holds primary control over the entire
turbine. Depending on the power requirements, it opens or closes accordingly. When higher
power output is needed, the guide vanes open wider, enabling more water to impact the rotor
blades. Conversely, during lower power demands, they close to restrict the water flow. The
presence of guide vanes is crucial for the turbine's efficient functioning, and their absence can
lead to reduced efficiency.
Draft Tube:
As the pressure at the exit of the runner of a Reaction Turbine is generally lower than
atmospheric pressure, direct discharge of water to the tail race is not feasible. To address this, a
gradually increasing area tube, known as the draft tube, is employed to discharge water from the
turbine's exit to the tail race. This tube connects one end to the runner's outlet while submerging
the other end below the water level in the tail race.
Runner Blades:
The heart of the Kaplan turbine lies in its runner blades, which are responsible for the production
of electricity. These blades are attached to a large boss on the runner's shaft, which, in turn, is
connected to the generator's shaft. A crucial feature of the Kaplan turbine is the adjustability of
its runner blade angle of attack, allowing for maximum power output. The blades possess a twist
along their length, enhancing their efficiency during operation
Working Procedure of Kaplan Turbine
o The water from the penstock is carefully channelled into the scroll casing, which is
meticulously designed to maintain the flow pressure without any significant losses.
Guided by adjustable vanes, the water is directed towards the runner blades. These vanes
have the remarkable ability to adapt to varying flow rates, ensuring an optimal water
 flow. As the water impacts the runner blades, a reaction force sets them into motion,
causing the blades to rotate. Notably, the runner blades feature a twist along their length,
ensuring they maintain the ideal angle of attack across all sections for enhanced
efficiency.
o After interacting with the runner blades, the water proceeds to the draft tube, where both
its pressure energy and kinetic energy decrease. The kinetic energy is transformed into
pressure energy, resulting in heightened water pressure. The kinetic energy conversion
plays a crucial role in this process.
o Finally, the turbine's rotation is utilised to drive the generator's shaft, effectively
generating electricity. This intricate process of energy conversion and mechanical
interaction exemplifies the ingenuity of the Kaplan turbine, making it a preferred choice
for hydroelectric power generation, where the natural force of water is harnessed to
produce clean and sustainable electricity.
 Basis of Impulse Turbine Reaction Turbine
Difference

The type of turbine in which The type of water turbine in which

only kinetic energy of water both kinetic energy as well as
Definition (impulse force) is used to pressure energy of water is used
rotate the turbine is known as turn the turbine is called the
impulse turbine. reaction turbine.

In an impulse turbine, the In reaction turbine, the water is

water flows through a nozzle guided by the guide blades (fixed
Water flow
and strikes to the blades of the blades) to flow over the turbine.
turbine.

In impulse turbine, an In reaction turbine, a reaction force

Force on blades impulsive force rotates the on the blades is rotation the turbine.
turbine.

In impulse turbine, the In the reaction turbine, the pressure

Pressure of
pressure of water remains of water continuously decreases
water while
unchanged and is equal to when it flows over the blades.
flowing over
atmospheric pressure when it
moving blades
flows over the moving blades.

In impulse turbine, the In reaction turbine, the pressure of

Decrease in
pressure of water is reduced water is decreasing while flowing
pressure of
in the nozzle before entering over the blades.
water
the turbine.

Change in In impulse turbine, all the In reaction turbine, there is no

pressure of pressure of water is converted change in the pressure of water
water into kinetic energy before before striking the turbine blades.
 striking the turbine blades.

The impulse turbines are most The reaction turbines are suitable
Water head
suitable for large water heads. for relatively low water heads.

The impulse turbines are Reaction turbines are suitable in

Water flow rate suitable for comparatively cases where water flow rates are
low water flow rates. higher.

In impulse turbine, there is no In reaction turbine, the turbine

necessity of turbine casing as casing is required because the
Necessity of it has no hydraulic function. It pressure at inlet is very high as
turbine casing is just provided to prevent compared to pressure at outlet.
splashing of water. Therefore, the casing seals it from
the atmospheric pressure.

The blades of an impulse The blades of a reaction turbine are

Blades profile turbine are of symmetrical asymmetrical, having aerofoil
profile. profile.

In impulse turbine, the water In a reaction turbine, the water

Water discharge discharges directly from the discharges into a draft tube first and
turbine wheel to tail race. then into the tail race.

For the same power output, The reaction turbine have relatively
Turbine size the size of impulse turbine is large size for the same power
smaller. output.

Popular examples of impulse Popular examples of reaction

turbine are: Pelton wheel turbines are: Francis turbine and
Examples
turbine, Turgo turbine and Kaplan turbine.
cross-flow turbine.




