The systems can operate in rivers, man-made channels, tidal waters, or ocean currents. Kinetic energy turbines, also called free-flow turbines, generate electricity from the kinetic energy present in flowing water rather than the potential energy from the head.
There are several different types of propeller turbines: The major components besides the runner are a scroll case, wicket gates, and a draft tube. The pitch of the blades may be fixed or adjustable. Through the pipe, the pressure is constant if it wasn't, the runner would be out of balance. Picture a boat propeller running in a pipe. Water contacts all of the blades constantly. Kinetic turbines are also a type of reaction turbine.Ī propeller turbine generally has a runner with three to six blades. The two most common types of reaction turbines are Propeller (including Kaplan) and Francis. Reaction turbines are generally used for sites with lower head and higher flows and are the most common type currently used in the United States. A runner is placed directly in the water stream, allowing water to flow over the blades rather than striking each individually. REACTION TURBINEĪ reaction turbine generates power from the combined forces of pressure and moving water. Here are some of the most commonly used turbines in the United States today. Other deciding factors include how deep the turbine must be set, turbine efficiency, and cost. The type of hydropower turbine selected for a project is based on the height of standing water-referred to as "head"-and the flow, or volume of water over time, at the site. There are two main types of hydropower turbines: reaction and impulse.