The Heart of the Plant

Choosing the correct turbine is the most critical decision in hydropower engineering. The choice depends entirely on two factors: Head (vertical drop) and Flow (water volume). At asumb, we analyze these site conditions to select the optimal technology from the «Big Three»: Francis, Kaplan, and Pelton.

1. The Francis Turbine (The All-Rounder)

The Francis turbine is the most widely used in the world because of its versatility.

• Best Conditions: Medium head (40 to 600 meters).
• Characteristics: It is a reaction turbine where water changes pressure as it moves through the runner.
• Efficiency: Excellent peak efficiency (up to 95%).
• Lifespan: 40–60 years with professional maintenance.

2. The Kaplan Turbine (The Low-Head Specialist)

Kaplan turbines work like a boat propeller with adjustable blades.

• Best Conditions: Low head (2 to 40 meters) and high flow volumes.
• Characteristics: Adjustable blades allow it to maintain high efficiency even when water flow varies.
• Efficiency: Very flat efficiency curve (stays efficient across different flow rates).
• Lifespan: 30–50 years (requires more frequent seal checks due to moving blades).

3. The Pelton Turbine (The High-Head Expert)

The Pelton wheel is an impulse turbine used for extreme mountain conditions.

• Best Conditions: Very high head (300 to 2000 meters) and low flow.
• Characteristics: Water jets strike spoon-shaped buckets at high velocity.
• Efficiency: High efficiency in high-pressure environments.
• Lifespan: 50–80 years (very durable, but buckets are susceptible to erosion from silt).

Conclusion: Engineering the Future

There is no «best» turbine; there is only the «right» turbine for your specific site. Clearly, selecting the wrong type can lead to massive energy losses. Ultimately, asumb provides the technical precision needed to match the right turbine to your project’s unique geography