International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 7, Issue 6, NovemberDecember 2016, pp.4144, Article ID: IJMET_07_06_005

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ISSN Print: 0976-6340 and ISSN Online: 0976-6359
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RESOLUTION FOR PARAMETERIC DISCREPANCIES

IN THE FLOW OF FRANCIS TURBINE
Harikrishnan R
M. Tech from N.I.T, Calicut
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Department
College of Engineering and Management, Punnapra, Alleppey, Kerala
Cite this Article: Harikrishnan R, Resolution For Parameteric Discrepancies In The Flow of
Francis Turbine. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 7(6), 2016, pp.
3140.
http://www.iaeme.com/ijmet/issues.asp?JType=IJMET&VType=7&IType=6

1. INTRODUCTION
Hydraulics now a days is a very distinguished area which has lot of major challenges often came in its
progress due to the realistic changes affecting on applicable working fluid viz. Water. Most occasions,
Water can be easily available but in certain times it may be scarce also. The available water vary according
to its properties. It exists in normal conditions as well as salty or hardy due to deposits. Majority of Water
is contaminated with minerals, dust or dirt. Often pure water which may be acidic or alkaline can be used
for making discharges through the Turbines. When Water flows in and out, it affects different parameters.
The important parameters which affect the performances of Turbines are:

Rated Discharge
Rated Power
Rated Efficiency (at full load and part load)
Rated Head
Rated Speed

These vary with respect to different set of conditions applicable in different types of Turbines.
Hydraulic Turbines mainly classifying as Impulse and Reaction have their own fields of application.
Francis Turbine is one type of Reaction Turbine with medium head and medium discharge of water. It is
specially a mixed flow Turbine, water enters the blades radially and comes out axially, parallel to the
turbine shaft.
Francis Turbine has lower efficiencies at full load and part load comparatively. A little consideration
will improve the rated power produced during its operation.
Here major concern applied was an experimental set of variables has been compared with theoretical
values and the some conclusions for correction factors have been arrived for a different set of conditions.
Considering factors such as friction, drag force etc, a stable solution measures for the discrepancy in the
parameters of flow was clearly defined .A compromise of 5% deviations from standards are adjusted due
to the above factors.
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Harikrishnan R

A prototype and a model was defined to analyse the performance characterestics to affect the changes
during different conditions. The dimensional ratio between a prototype turbine and its model is 1:2000.For
various hrs of operation this prototype has been fixed. Different set of readings were taken and curves were
plotted according to this readings. A theoretical model was defined to Analyse various performance
characterestics.
Major dimensions for the Prototype are:
Shaft Diameter =10mm
Shaft Length = 2 ft
Turbine Blades = 15
Blade Length = 3 inches
Nut & Bolt = 15mm
Draft tube Length = 100mm
Width at Runner Exit = 30mm
Width at Tail race = 45mm
Width B of the wheel = 35mm
Diameter = 75mm
Thickness of Blade = 3mm
For 1 hr of operation, Francis turbine gives,
Rated Discharge %
40
50
60
70
85

Rated Generator Capacity

10
18
25
32
42

Type of turbine: Vertical Francis production capacity 590MW

Net Head
Rated
Design
Maximum
Minimum

121.92m
121.92m
156.06m
87.79m

Turbine Output
Rated Head
At Design Head
At Maximum Head
At minimum Head
Rated Discharge m/s

112000
112000
112000
53000
102.3

Runner nominal Diameter = 4151mm

Rated speed = 166.7 rpm
Output %
110
100
80
60

Gate Opening
93.5
85.0
71.8
59.0

Efficiency %
93.5
91.5
88
83

Power Developed = gQH

F = aV(Vw + Vw)
V = 2gH

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Resolution For Parameteric Discrepancies In The Flow of Francis Turbine

W = F u
Kinetic Energy = mV, m= AV
=(AV(Vw+Vw)u) /( AV)

PROTOTYPE CALCULATION
= B/D
B-Width, D-Diameter
=35/75=0.45
H= 60mm
Vf = 2gH
= 0.30 32.5
= 9.75 mm/s
U = Ku 2gH
=0.8 32.5 = 26 mm/s
Q = (D - 2t) h Va ; Va=Vf Sin; =37.5
= (75- 23) 18.75Vf Sin 37.5 h=0.25D
=6918.7512.250.61 =30400mm/s
P = wQH
= 0.9110009.813040060
= 16.28kW
Pr = 10hQtg
=10600.920.7304001
= 11.62kW
P= PPr0.01
=16.2811.620.01
= 1.89kW
P at 50% load = 0.95kW
P at 25% load = 0.47kW
Ns = NP/H
= 751.89/1.04
= 97
This Specific speed is defined for a slow runner Francis Turbine.
Specific Speed
60-120
120-180
180-300

Slow Runner
Normal Runner
Fast Runner

Speed N can be 75-1000 rpm and head can be 40m- 600m for the model turbine.

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Harikrishnan R

CONCLUSIONS
1. For very rough and tidy operations, 20% to 35% of the rated Discharge can be allowed.
2. At lower Output, strengthening measures should be done in the draft tube below the discharge of the runner
to minimize the magnitude of the disturbance.
3. It is well noticed that reduced efficiency at higher loads ie 110% rated capacity.
4. When the percentage discharge exceeds beyond boundary limit for a particular selection, generator has
limitations in attaining maximum power.
5. When the percentage Discharge is below the boundary limit, excess water must be bypassed and there is no
power generated.
6. When the head is above or below the boundary, no power can be generated.
7. Francis turbine can be adopted for a head above 40m up to 200m
8. Select the turbine runner of high specific speed because high specific speed will generate more power for the
same head.
9. The above condition satisfies a smaller size of the Turbo-Alternator and the Power house.
10. At low heads, the output adopted should be such that high speed of rotation keeps the size of the Alternator
and the Power house small and with economy.
11. If there are great variations of the tail race water level, the vertical machines are advantageous over
horizontal machines.
12. If horizontal machines are preferred, the floor of the turbine house should be at the higher level otherwise
the lower part of the turbine house must be water tight.

From the analysis of the Model and Prototype, it seems that 5% differences and deviations are occurred
between theoretical and experimental values because of Friction, drag force etc.

REFERENCES
[1]

Hydraulic Turbines and Effect of different parameters on Output Power: R.K Tyagi European Journal of
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[2]

Axialt a Success story in Hydraulic Turbines Research: GABRIEL DAN CIOCAN, CLAIRE
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[3]

Ahec.org.in/publ/Modern_Hydroelectric_Eng_Practice_Prof_OD_Thapar/Volume_I/Chapter -5 Turbine
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[4]

Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics including Hydraulic Machines: Dr. P.N.Modi and Dr. S.M.Seth, Rajson
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[5]

A Text Book of Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines: Er.R.K.Rajput, S.Chand Publications

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