Performance characteristics of Francis Turbine

AIM:
Performance characteristics (output and efficiency variation with speed) for different
openings of the guide blades of Francis turbine at a constant input head

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP:
Experimental set-up consists of Francis turbine, inlet pressure gauge, centrifugal
pump, tachometer, calibrated V-notch, brake drum dynamometer with rope and mass
loading arrangement.

THEORY
Francis turbines are used for medium heads and medium flow rates. These are
reaction type turbines in which water with both kinetic and pressure energy is
supplied to the runner. These turbines are built for specific speed ranging from 60 to
300 rpm. (60 to 100 rpm for radial flow and 100 to 300 rpm for mixed flow). The
turbine consists of a spiral casing, adjustable guid e blade arrangement and break
drum arrangement. Guide blades are controlled manually for which a hand wheel is
provided.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Keep the guide blade at full open position and adjust the inlet pressure P (at 20 m of
water column indicated by a Bourdan tube pressure gauge) by operating the delivery
valve of the pump. Keep on loading the turbine by adding masses from 1kg upto 10
kg (or until the turbine stops) in steps of 1kg. At each loading, note down the
rotational speed (rpm) of the turbine using a tachometer and the reading on the scale
showing the water level over the V notch. Determine volume flow rate “Q” through
the turbine using the V-notch calibration chart. Repeat the procedure for half
opening of the guide blades, keeping each time supply head constant at 20 m.

Observation Table
Density of water = ρ = 1000 kg/m3
Brake drum diameter = D =0 .3 m
Rope diameter = d = 0.012 m
Mass of hanger = 1 kg
Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.81 m/s2

Calibration chart of the V-notch is to be used to compute flow rate (lps) from
measured height of water in V-notch (mm of water)

1
Observation Table 1 Fully open Guide blade position of Francis Turbine

Sl Guide Mass Spring Net Input Speed V-notch Q Torque Input Output Efficiency
No. blade added balance mass head (rpm) reading (m3/s) T power power
opening on reading acting H in m (mm of (N.m) (Watts) (Watts)
the S on the of water Water
drum (kg) drum column column)
M M-S
(kg) (kg)
I 1. Fully open 1 kg
I 2. 2 kg
I 3. 3 kg
I 4. 4 kg
I 5. 5 kg
I 6. 6 kg
I 7. 7 kg
I8 8 kg
I9 9 kg
I10 10 kg
I 11 11 kg
I 12 12kg

2
 Name: Roll No.: Signature

Table 2 Half open Guide blade position of Francis Turbine

Sl Guide Mass Spring Net Input Speed V-notch Q Torque Input Output Efficiency
No. blade added balance mass head (rpm) reading (m3/s) T power power
opening on reading acting H in m (mm of Wc) (N.m) (Watts) (Watts)
the S on the of water
drum (kg) drum column
M M-S
(kg) (kg)
I 1. Half open 1 kg
I 2. 2 kg
I 3. 3 kg
I 4. 4 kg
I 5. 5 kg
I 6. 6 kg
I 7. 7 kg
I8 8 kg
I9 9 kg
I10 10 kg
I 11 11 kg
I 12 12kg

3
SPECIMEN CALCULATION

P  P 
Head H =  2  + Z 2 −  1 
 ρg   ρg 

Z2 = 1m of water column

Input power = ρ g Q H

D+d
Torque T = (M − S )g ×
2
2π N T
Output power =
60
output Power
Efficiency = η =
Input power

GRAPHS TO BE PLOTTED:
Graph 1: x-axis is Speed, Y-axis is output power and efficiency for fully open guide
blade position
Graph 2: x-axis is Speed, Y-axis is output power and efficiency for half open guide
blade position

CONCLUSIONS/DISCUSSION ON THE RESULTS

1. Write down the observations
2. Try to explain the observations from the theory studied in turbomachines
course

4
Graph 1: x-axis is Speed, Y-axis is output power and efficiency for fully open
guide blade position

5
Graph 2: x-axis is Speed, Y-axis is output power and efficiency for half open
guide blade position