DEGREE OF REACTION (R) IN HYDRO TURBINES

DEGREE OF REACTION IS DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF

PRESSURE ENERGY CHANGE INSIDE A RUNNER TO THE
TOTAL ENERGY CHANGE INSIDE THE RUNNER.

R= CHANGE OF PRESSURE ENERGY INSIDE THE RUNNER

CHANGE OF TOTAL ENERGY INSIDE THE RUNNER

HYDRAULIC EFFICIENCY ( ƞh)

ƞh = RUNNER POWER (R.P.)

WATER POWER (W.P.)
Work done per second per unit weight of water per second

= Work done per second

Weight of water striking per second
ρQ[Vw1u1 + Vw2u2]
=
ρQ x g
1
= g [Vw1u1 + Vw2u2]

This is the most fundamental equation of hydrodynamic machines

and represents the energy transfer per unit weight to the runner.
This is also known as the total energy change inside the runner per
unit weight.
 We know, Degree of Reaction, R
R= CHANGE OF PRESSURE ENERGY INSIDE THE RUNNER
CHANGE OF TOTAL ENERGY INSIDE THE RUNNER
Therefore, Change of total energy per unit weight inside the runner
1
= g [Vw1u1 + Vw2u2]
Let He = Change of total energy per unit weight inside the runner
1
Then, He = g [Vw1u1 + Vw2u2]
From the inlet and outlet velocity triangles, we can find the values
of Vw1u1 and Vw2u2
From the inlet and outlet velocity triangles,
Vw1 = u1 + Vr1x where, Vr1x = Vr1 cosθ
= √(V2r1 - V2f1)
= u1 + √(V2r1 - V2f1)
= u1 + √[V2r1 – (V21 - V2w1)]
Or, Vw1 - u1 = √[V2r1 – (V21 - V2w1)]
Or, (Vw1 - u1)2 = V2r1 – (V21 - V2w1)
Or, V2w1 + u21 - 2Vw1u1 = V2r1 – V21 + V2w1
Or, u21 - V2r1 + V21 = 2Vw1u1
Or, 2Vw1u1 = u21 - V2r1 + V21
Or, Vw1u1 = ½ [u21 - V2r1 + V21]
Similarly from the outlet velocity triangle,
Vw2 = Vr2x - u2 where, Vr2x = Vr2 cosθ
= √(V2r2 - V2f2)
= √(V2r2 - V2f2) - u2
= √[V2r2 – (V22 - V2w2)] - u2
Or, Vw2 + u2 = √[V2r2 – V22 + V2w2]

Or, (Vw2 + u2)2 = V2r2 – V22 + V2w2

Or, V2w2 + u22 + 2Vw2u2 = V2r2 – V22 + V2w2
Or, Vw2u2 = ½ 1 [V2r2 - V22 - u22]
[Vw1u1 + Vw2u2]
g
We know, He=
Change of total energy per unit weight inside the runner as
1
He = g [Vw1u1 + Vw2u2]
= 1 [½ (u21 - V2r1 + V21) + ½ (V2r2 - V22 - u22)]
g
= 1 [ (u21 - V2r1 + V21) + (V2r2 - V22 - u22)]
2g
= 1 [(u21 - u22) + (V21 - V22) + (V2r2 - V2r1) ]
2g
(V21 - V22) (u21 - u22) (V2r2 - V2r1)
= + + ................. Equation 1
2g 2g 2g
The above equation consists of three elements. The first term represents the change in kinetic energy of the
fluid per unit weight and the second term represents the change of energy per unit weight due to centrifugal
action. The third term represents the change in static pressure energy per unit weight, as per Bernoulli’s
equation applied to relative flow through runner passage by reducing the rotating system into stationary
system.
We know that the energy change due to centrifugal action takes place in
the form of pressure energy. [when a container containing a liquid is
rotated, then due to centrifugal action there is change of pressure energy
i.e.
Δp (u21 - u22) ]
h = ρg = 2g
Hence, last two terms in previous Equation 1 represents the change in
pressure energy inside the runner passage per unit weight.

Therefore, change in pressure energy inside the runner per unit weight
(u21 - u22) (V2r2 - V2r1)
= +
2g 2g
Now, Degree of Reaction,
Change of pressure energy inside the runner per unit weight
R= Change of total energy inside the runner per unit weight

=
[ (u21 - u22) (V2r2 - V2r1)
2g
+
2g ]
[ (V21 - V22) (u21 - u22) (V2r2 - V2r1)
2g + 2g + 2g ]
[(u21 - u22) +(V2r2 - V2r1) ]
=
[ (V21 - V22)+ (u21 - u22)+ (V2r2 - V2r1)]
(V21 - V22) + (u21 - u22) + (V2r2 - V2r1) - (V21 - V22)
=
[ (V 2
1 - V 2
2+
) (u 2
1 - u 2
2+
) (V 2
r2 - V 2
r1)]
Hence,
(V21 - V22) + (u21 - u22) + (V2r2 - V2r1) - (V21 - V22)
R=
[ (V21 - V22)+ (u21 - u22)+ (V2r2 - V2r1)]
(V21 - V22)
or, R= 1 -
[ (V21 - V22)+ (u21 - u22)+ (V2r2 - V2r1)]
We know,
(V21 - V22) (u21 - u22) (V2r2 - V2r1)
He = + +
2g 2g 2g
or, 2g He = (V21 - V22)+ (u21 - u22)+ (V2r2 - V2r1)
(V21 - V22)
or, R=1-
2g He
Value of R for Pelton Turbine
For Pelton Turbine,
u1 = u2 and Vr1 = Vr2, substituting in the following equation,
(V21 - V22)
R= 1 -
[ (V21 - V22)+ (u21 - u22)+ (V2r2 - V2r1)]
We get, (V21 - V22)
R= 1 -
(V21 - V22)
R= 1 – 1 = 0
Value of R for an actual reaction turbine
Generally, the angle β is 90o so that the loss of kinetic energy at
outlet is minimum (i.e. V2 is minimum).
Hence, in outlet velocity triangle, Vw2 becomes zero. (i.e. Vw2 = 0).
Also, there is not much change in velocity of flow.
This means, Vf1 = Vf2
He = 1g [Vw1u1 + Vw2u2] u2
G
We know, F φ β

= 1g [Vw1u1] since Vw2 = 0 Vr2 V2 = Vf2

E
= 1g [Vf1cotα] [Vf1cotα - Vf1cotθ]
= g1 V2f1cotα [cotα - cotθ]
Value of R for an actual reaction turbine
Now, V21 - V22 = (Vf1cosecα)2 – V2f2 (since, V2 = Vf2)
= V2f1cosec2α – V2f1 (since, Vf2 = Vf1)
V21 - V22 = V2f1(cosec2α – 1)
= V2f1cot2α
Substituting the value of
2 He and V 1 - V 2 , we get
V f1cot α
2
2 2

R= 1 - 1 2
2g x g V f1cotα [cotα - cotθ]
cotα
R= 1 -
2 [cotα - cotθ]