Design Analysis and Investigation of a Low-Head Simple Reaction Water Turbine

Performance characteristics of low-head simple reaction water turbine are investigated in this paper. A new low-cost low-head simple reaction turbine design is proposed. A simple approach is proposed to overcome the runaway and jet interference problem of the simple reaction turbine. Optimal design criteria have been established based on results from a computer model of a simple reaction water turbine for different operating conditions. Experimental results have been analysed and compared with theoretical predictions. The experimental data give a good quantitative description of the turbine characteristics. The test results included in this article are for a supply condition of 5 metre head and flow rates of 1 to 2 litres/sec.