Differences between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
Differences between Francis and Kaplan Turbine
The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts.
The Kaplan turbine is a propeller-type water turbine that has adjustable blades. It combines automatically adjusted propeller blades with automatically adjusted wicket gates to achieve efficiency over a wide range of flow and water levels.
The tabular form gives a comparison between Francis and Kaplan turbines below.
S.no | Francis Turbine | Kaplan Turbine |
---|---|---|
1 | Francis turbine is a mixed flow turbine. | The Kaplan turbine is a purely axial flow turbine. |
2 | Francis turbine has a large number of blades in the runner and it varies from 16 to 24. | Kaplan turbine has a small number of blades in the runner and it varies from 3 to 8. |
3 | The runner blades are not adjustable. | The runner blades are adjustable. |
4 | The disposition of the shaft may be horizontal or vertical. | The disposition of the shaft is always vertical. |
5 | Francis turbine is a medium head turbine and the head varies between 60 m to 250 m. | Kaplan turbine is a low head turbine capable of working under the head less than 60 m. |
6 | Francis turbine works under medium discharge. | Kaplan turbine works under high discharge. |
7 | Francis turbine specific speed varies from 50 to 255. | Kaplan turbine specific speed varies from 255 to 860. |
8 | Resistance is significant due to many vanes and the greater area of contact with water. | Resistance to overcome is less due to fewer vanes and less contact area. |
9 | The ordinary governor is used for his governing. | The heavy-duty governor is used for its governing. |
10 | For the same power, it is less compact. | For the same power, it is more compact. |
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