Comparison of Specific Speeds of Hydraulic Turbines
Specific speeds and their ranges of variation for different types of hydraulic turbines have already been discussed earlier. Figure 32.1 shows the variation of efficiencies with the dimensionless specific speed of different hydraulic turbines. The choice of a hydraulic turbine for a given purpose depends upon the matching of its specific speed corresponding to maximum efficiency with the required specific speed determined from the operating parameters, namely, N (rotational speed), p (power) and H (available head).
Figure 32.1 Variation of efficiency with specific speed for hydraulic turbines
Governing of Reaction Turbines Governing of reaction turbines is usually done by altering the position of the guide vanes and thus controlling the flow rate by changing the gate openings to the runner. The guide blades of a reaction turbine (Figure 32.2) are pivoted and connected by levers and links to the regulating ring. Two long regulating rods, being attached to the regulating ring at their one ends, are connected to a regulating lever at their other ends. The regulating lever is keyed to a regulating shaft which is turned by a servomotor piston of the oil
