Francis Turbine Test Setup
Product Code : EL-HML-11051
Quick answer: The Francis turbine test setup demonstrates a mixed-flow reaction turbine: water enters the curved-vane runner radially and leaves axially through a draught tube. Students load it with a rope brake dynamometer to find output power and efficiency at supply heads of 10 to 15 m and about 1500 RPM. Lab Exports manufactures it in Delhi for engineering colleges, polytechnics and TVET institutes.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value (three sizes) |
|---|---|
| Output power | 1.33 HP (1 kW) / 2 HP / 5 HP (3.75 kW) |
| Discharge | About 1000 / 1000 / 2000 LPM |
| Supply head | 10 m / 10 m / 15 m |
| Rope brake drum | 200 mm / 200 mm / 300 mm dia. |
| Sump tank | 300 / 300 / 600 litres |
| Circulation pump | 5 HP / 5 HP / 15 HP, three phase |
| Speed | About 1500 RPM |
| Runner | Curved vanes, in an air-tight casing on a cast iron pedestal |
| Outlet | Draught tube with complete guide mechanism |
| Head measurement | Pressure gauge at inlet, vacuum gauge at outlet |
| Discharge measurement | Pitot tube with manometer |
| Services | Water supply and drain; 440 V three-phase AC |
Values separated by slashes refer to the three sizes, smallest first.
How the Francis turbine experiment is done
A Francis turbine is a reaction turbine. Part of the head is turned into velocity in the guide passages and the rest acts as pressure across the runner, so the casing always runs full of water. Flow enters the runner at its outer edge in the radial direction and turns to leave along the axis, which is why the Francis type is called a mixed-flow machine. The draught tube at the outlet recovers kinetic energy from the leaving water.
The net head comes from the inlet pressure gauge and the outlet vacuum gauge. Hydraulic input is rho x g x Q x H, brake output is 2 x pi x N x T / 60 from the rope brake, and their ratio is the overall efficiency. Tests at constant head with varying load give the main characteristics; repeating them at other guide settings gives the operating characteristics.
- Start the circulation pump and fill the turbine casing from the sump tank.
- Set the guide mechanism and read the pressure and vacuum gauges to find the net head.
- Apply load on the rope brake in steps, noting the brake load and runner speed each time.
- Read the discharge on the Pitot tube manometer.
- Repeat at other guide settings and plot power and efficiency against speed.
Key features
- Curved-vane runner in an air-tight casing that stays full of water, on a heavy cast iron pedestal
- Draught tube at the outlet with a complete guide mechanism
- Transparent acrylic window for watching flow through the runner
- Pressure and vacuum gauges at inlet and outlet for the net head
- Rope brake dynamometer for shaft power
- Three sizes, working at supply heads of 10 m to 15 m
Documentation and supply
Installation instructions and a manual are supplied with the apparatus. Most Lab Exports products carry a one-year manufacturer warranty.
Lab Exports manufactures the Francis turbine test setup at its works in Laxmi Nagar, Delhi, and supplies it to engineering colleges, polytechnics and TVET institutes in India and 60+ countries, handling the export documents for each shipment. More about the company is on the About Lab Exports page.
Related Hydraulic Machine Lab products
- Pelton Wheel Turbine Test Setup (EL-HML-11050)
- Kaplan Turbine Test Setup (EL-HML-11052)
- Centrifugal Pump Test Rig (EL-HML-11053)
- Multi Stage Centrifugal Pump Test Setup (EL-HML-11054)
- Reciprocating Pump Test Setup (EL-HML-11055)
- Gear Pump Test Setup (EL-HML-11056)
The full range is in the Hydraulic Machine Lab section of the Engineering Lab range.
Frequently asked questions
How does water flow through a Francis turbine?
Water enters the runner radially at the outer edge and leaves axially into the draught tube, so the Francis turbine is classed as a mixed-flow reaction turbine.
How is the net head on the turbine measured?
A pressure gauge at the inlet and a vacuum gauge at the outlet are read together to give the head across the turbine.
What is the price of the Francis turbine test setup?
Prices are not published on the website. Add the Francis turbine test setup to the Enquiry Cart with the Add To Cart button on this page, or email [email protected] with the house code EL-HML-11051 and the quantity, to receive a quotation.
Does Lab Exports manufacture the Francis turbine test setup?
Yes. Lab Exports manufactures the Francis turbine test setup at its works at 11/315, Lalita Park, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi 110092, under house code EL-HML-11051.
Request a quote
Email [email protected] with the house code EL-HML-11051 and the quantity, or add the Francis turbine test setup to the Enquiry Cart with the Add To Cart button on this page. Tender buyers can also see the Tenders and OEM page.
