A water turbine is a rotating device that uses the potential and kinetic energy of water to produce mechanical work. Prior to the development of electrical grids, water turbines were a common source of industrial power. They are now mostly employed in the production of electricity. In order to harness the potential energy of water, water turbines are typically found in dams. The turbine blades in a water turbine must have great corrosion resistance and strength because they are continually exposed to water and dynamic stresses.
Austenitic steel alloys with 17–20% chromium are most frequently employed as overlays over carbon steel runners in water turbines because they increase the film’s stability and aqueous corrosion resistance. These steel alloys have more chromium than the minimal 20 percent needed to display some resistance to air corrosion. The steel alloys’ increased chromium content enables the turbine blades’ lifespan to be significantly increased.
Currently, martensitic stainless steel is used to make the blades, which is two times as strong as austenitic stainless steel. Weldability and density of the turbine blade are further parameters for material selection in addition to corrosion resistance and strength. Turbine blade repairs are made simpler by greater weldability. This permits improved weld quality, which leads to a better repair. To increase efficiency, choose a material with a low density because lighter blades revolve more easily.
The choice of turbine depends more on the available water head than it does on the flow rate. Reaction turbines are typically utilized for low head sites while impulse turbines are typically used for high head sites. Since their maximal efficiency can be attained throughout a wide range of flow circumstances, Kaplan turbines with changeable blade pitch are well-suited to a variety of flow or head conditions. Small turbines, typically under 10 MW, and even quite large bulb-type turbines, up to 100 MW or so, can have horizontal shafts.
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Video resource: Modern Creative