Current research in hydraulic turbines for handling sediments

▸ Conventional Francis turbines are not performing satisfactorily in erosive environment and need design optimization. ▸ “Erosion Factor” is defined as parameter to compare performance of optimized design of Francis turbines exposed to sediment erosion. ▸ Optimization of hydraulic design of blade profile alone can reduce sediment erosion in Francis runners up to 30%. ▸ Francis runners with high blade loading at inlet and low blade loading at outlet are less sensitive to erosion.