In this blog we are going to tell you about Difference Between Impulse and Reaction Turbine, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.
A turbine is a device that is used to convert the energy of fluid into rotational mechanical energy. There are a lot of turbines available depending on the type of fluid like a steam turbine, water turbine, gas turbine, and others. The two hydro turbines which are based on the action of water are the impulse turbine and reaction turbine. So in this article, we are going to discuss the differences between an impulse turbine and a reaction turbine so that you can understand how they both work.
Main Differences between Impulse and Reaction Turbine
The following are the main differences between impulse turbines and reaction turbines as mentioned below:
- Meaning
An impulse turbine is a type of turbine in which only the kinetic energy of water is used to rotate the turbine whereas a Reaction turbine is the type of water turbine in which both kinetic as well as pressure energy of water is used to turn the turbine.
- Way of Water Flow
In an impulse turbine, the water flows through a nozzle and strikes the blades of the turbine whereas in a Reaction turbine the water is instructed by the guide blades to flow over the turbine.
- Force on Blades
In an impulse turbine, an impulsive force rotates the turbine whereas in a Reaction turbine a reaction force on the blades makes the turbine.
- Pressure of Water
In an impulse turbine, the pressure of water remains unchanged and is equal to the atmospheric pressure when it flows through the moving blades while in the reaction turbine the pressure of water constantly decreases when it flows over the blades.
- Decrease in Pressure of water
In an impulse turbine, the pressure of water is reduced in the nozzle before entering the turbine whereas the pressure of water decreases in the reaction turbine.
- Change in Pressure of water
In an impulse turbine, all the pressure of water is converted into kinetic energy before striking the blades while there is no change in the pressure of water in the reaction turbine.
- Water Head
The impulse turbines are most suitable for large water heads while reaction turbines are suitable for relatively low water heads.
- Water Flow rate
The impulse turbine is suitable for low water flow rates whereas the reaction turbine is suitable for higher water flow rates.
- The necessity of Turbine casing
In an impulse turbine, there is no need for a turbine casing because it has no hydraulic function and it is just provided to prevent the splashing of water. On the other hand in a reaction turbine, the casing is required because the pressure at the inlet is very high in comparison to the pressure at the outlet and so the casing seals it from the atmospheric pressure.
- Blades Profile
The blades in an impulse turbine are of symmetrical profile whereas the blades in a reaction turbine are asymmetrical having an aerofoil profile.
- Water Discharge
In an impulse turbine, the water discharges directly from the turbine wheel to the tail race whereas in a reaction turbine the water discharges into the draft tube first and then goes into the tail race.
- Turbine Size
The size of an impulse turbine is smaller for the same power output whereas the reaction turbine has a relatively large size for the same power output.
- Examples
Some examples of impulse turbines include the Pelton wheel turbine, turbo turbine, and cross-flow turbine while examples of reaction turbines include the Francis turbine and Kaplan turbine.
Conclusion
Overall the main difference between an impulse turbine and a reaction turbine is that an impulse turbine only uses the kinetic energy of water to rotate while a reaction turbine uses both pressures as well as kinetic energy of water to rotate the turbine. We hope that this article was helpful and that now you have understood the difference between an impulse and a reaction turbine.
We Hope this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Difference Between Impulse and Reaction Turbine. Thanks for reading this blog.
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