Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd products

Hydropower

Gilkes - Francis Hydro Turbines

The Francis turbine, developed by James B Francis in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1849 is the most common water turbine in use today. A wicket gate around the outside of the turbines rotating runner controls the rate of water flow through the turbine for different power production rates. Francis are the preferred turbine for hydro-power where the available water source has medium head and flow rates.

Gilkes - Pelton Hydro Turbines

The Pelton is an impulse type water turbine invented by Lester Allan Pelton in the 1870s. Peltons are the preferred turbine for hydro-power where the available water source has relatively high head at low flow rates. The jet(s) of water strike the splitter edge of the double bucket (runner) and is turned through an angle of nearly 180° before falling under gravity into the discharge channel or tailrace.

Gilkes - Turgo Impulse Turbines

The Turgo Impulse turbine was originally designed and developed by Gilkes in 1919 to be a simple impulse type machine with a higher specific speed than a Pelton. The design therefore allows a larger jet of water to be directed at an angle onto the runner.