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Comparison between Impulse Turbine and Reaction Turbine

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Comparison between Impulse Turbine and

Reaction Turbine
Last updated: Apr 5, 2016

by ME Mechanical Team

Posted in Hydraulic Machines

Impulse and reaction turbine are compared below presented in picture and tabular form.

Schematic diagram summarising the differences between impulse turbine and reaction turbine,
where the rotor is the rotating part and the stator is the stationary part of the machine.
Image source: Emoscopes (Wikimedia Commons)

Differences between Impulse and Reaction Turbines:

S.No

Impulse Turbine

Reaction Turbine

In impulse turbine all hydraulic energy is

In reaction turbine only some amount of the available
converted into kinetic energy by a nozzle and it is
energy is converted into kinetic energy before the fluid
is the jet so produced which strikes the runner
enters the runner.
blades.

http://me-mechanicalengineering.com/comparison-between-impulse-turbine-and-reaction-turbine/

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8/24/2016

Comparison between Impulse Turbine and Reaction Turbine

The velocity of jet which changes, the pressure

throughout remaining atmosphere.

Both pressure and velocity changes as fluid passes

through a runner. Pressure at inlet is much higher than
at outlet.

Water-tight casing is not necessary. Casing has no

hydraulic function to perform. It only serves to
prevent splashing and guide water to the tail race.

The runner must be enclosed within a watertight casing.

Water is admitted only in the form of jets. There

may be one or more jets striking equal number of
buckets simultaneously.

Water is admitted over the entire circumference of the

runner.

The turbine doesnt run full and air has a free

access to the bucket.

Water completely fills at the passages between the

blades and while flowing between inlet and outlet
sections does work on the blades.

The turbine is always installed above the tail race

and there is no draft tube used.

Reaction turbine are generally connected to the tail race

through a draft tube which is a gradually expanding
passage. It may be installed below or above the tail race.

Flow regulation is done by means of a needle

valve fitted into the nozzle.

The flow regulation in reaction turbine is carried out by

means of a guide-vane assembly. Other component parts
are scroll casing, stay ring runner and the draft tub.

Example of impulse turbine is Pelton wheel.

Examples of reaction turbine are Francis turbine, Kaplan

and Propeller Turbine, Deriaz Turbine, Tubuler Turbine,
etc.

8
9

Impulse turbine have more hydraulic efficiency.

Reaction turbine have relatively less efficiency.

10

Impulse turbine operates at high water heads.

Reaction turbine operate at low and medium heads.

11

Water flow is tangential direction to the turbine

wheel.

Water flows in radial and axial direction to turbine

wheel.

12

Needs low discharge of water.

Needs medium and high discharge of water.

13

Degree of reaction is zero.

Degree of reaction is more than zero and less than or

equal to one.

14

Impulse turbine involves less maintenance work.

Reaction turbine involves more maintenance work.

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thanks for this comparison this was useful

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LAKSHITH

Dec 5, 2015 1:02 pm Reply

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This is extremely useful tabulation & clear illustration.

May I use this in a presentation with source & citation of MEmechanicalengineering.com?

BHUSHAN

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Dec 15, 2015 12:00 pm Reply

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You are free to use content provided us.

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Dec 15, 2015 4:52 pm Reply

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Very nice explaination

KALPANA

Feb 7, 2016 1:54 pm Reply

Turbine

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Comparison between Impulse Turbine and Reaction Turbine

0

Very easy point

GOWTHAM

Mar 5, 2016 9:36 pm Reply

wow thank you vey much to get such kind of information

Last updated 4 months ago

HALEFOM KIDANE

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Jun 26, 2016 6:10 pm Reply

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very nice it is helpful material

UMESH BHANAGE

Last updated 10 months ago

Jun 29, 2016 1:59 pm Reply

Now I have understood the difference between the two classifications. Thanks

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a lot.

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ONONOGBO CHIBUIKE

Jul 20, 2016 9:14 am Reply

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