Water head and flow rate are the most vital input parameters that govern

performance of a hydraulic turbine. But these parameters are subjected to

seasonal variation in a hydroelectric power station. Francis turbine is capable of
delivering high efficiency even if there is a huge variation in these flow
parameters. Following are the head and flow rate under which Francis turbine is
preferred to operate.

 Head = 45-400 m
 Flow rate = 10-700 m^3/s

In this article we will understand working of Francis turbine and will also realize
why it is capable to work under varying flow conditions.

Runner – At the heart of the system

Most important part of Francis turbine is its runner. It is fitted with a collection of
complex shaped blades as shown in Fig.1

Fig.1 Runner - The most vital part of Francis turbine

In runner water enters radially, and leaves axially. During the course of flow,
water glides over runner blades as shown in figure below.
 Fig.2 Water flow through Francis turbine runner
Blades of Francis turbine are specially shaped. One such blade is shown in Fig.2.
It is clear from the figure that shape of blade cross-section is of thin airfoils. So
when water flows over it, a low pressure will be induced on one side, and high
pressure on the other side. This will result in a lift force.

Fig.3 Airfoil cross section shape of Francis blades & production of

reaction force
You can also note one more peculiar thing about the blade. It is having a bucket
kind of shape towards the outlet. So water will hit, and produce an impulse force
before leaving the runner. Both impulse force and lift force will make the runner
rotate.

Fig.4 Francis turbine derive energy from combined action of reaction

and impulse force
So Francis turbine is not a pure reaction turbine, a portion of force comes from
impulse action also. Thus as water flows over runner blades both its kinetic and
pressure energy will come down. Since flow is entering radially and leaves
axially, they are also called ‘mixed flow turbine’. Runner is connected to
generator, via a shaft, for electricity production.

Use of Spiral Casing

Runner is fitted, inside a spiral casing. Flow is entered via an inlet nozzle. Flow
rate of water will get reduced along length of casing, since water is drawn into the
runner. But decreasing area of spiral casing will make sure that, flow is entered to
runner region almost at uniform velocity.

Fig.5 Spiral casing makes sure that flow is entered uniformly along the
periphery of runnner
Stay vanes and guide vanes are fitted at entrance of runner. The basic purpose
of them is to convert one part of pressure energy into kinetic energy.

Fig.6 Stay vanes and guide vanes used in Francis turbine

Flow which is coming from the casing, meets stay vanes, they are fixed. Stay
vanes steers the flow towards the runner section. Thus it reduces swirl of inlet
flow.

Governing of Francis Turbine

Demand for power may vary over time. The guide vane mechanism is used to
control water flow rate and makes sure that power production is synchronized
with power demand.
 Fig.7 First figure shows guide vanes in closed position; In 2nd figure
guide vanes in open position
Apart from controlling flow rate guide vanes also control flow angle to inlet portion
of runner blade. Thus guide vanes make sure that inlet flow angle is at optimum
angle of attack for maximum power extraction from fluid.

Living with Cavitation

Most often local pressure at exit side of runner goes below vapor pressure of
water. This will result in formation water bubbles and eventually damage to
turbine blade material.This phenomenon is known as caviation. It is impossible to
prevent cavitation completely. So a carefully designed draft tube is fitted at exit
side to discharge the fluid out. Draft tube will transform velocity head to static
head due to its increasing area and will reduce effect of cavitation.

Fig.8 Conversion of velocity head to static head with help of drafttube