Gilbert - Francis Reaction Turbine
The Francis turbine is suited to sites with low to medium head and high flow. Water enters through a pressurised spiral casing and is directed by adjustable guide vanes onto the runner blades. The resulting water pressure drives rotation, delivering efficient power generation across a broad operating range.
Design and performance
Gilkes offers Francis turbines in both horizontal and vertical configurations, ensuring adaptability to site conditions. Flow control is managed by electric or hydraulic actuators, which adjust the guide vanes for optimal efficiency. The turbines can operate in standalone mode with a speed governor or be controlled via PLC systems for integration with distribution grids.
Francis turbine in the water industry
The Francis turbine is widely utilised in water treatment facilities and municipal water systems to recover energy from pressurised pipelines. Instead of dissipating excess pressure through a pressure-reducing valve (PRV), a Francis turbine can be integrated to generate renewable electricity while maintaining system stability.
Development and engineering enhancements
Gilkes continues to refine Francis turbine technology, incorporating advanced materials and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling to enhance efficiency and longevity. These innovations ensure that the Francis turbine remains a key solution for hydropower projects.
- High efficiency at full flow condition
- Relatively small footprint
- Has a draft tube outlet to utilise the maximum available head
- Runners fully machined from single forged block for durability
- Option to have a pressurized outlet if required
- Run-of-river hydropower
- Generation from reservoirs & dams
- Energy recovery in water systems
- Industrial and municipal power generation projects
- Grid-connected and off-grid systems
- Power output: up to 20MW
- Head range: 30-400m
- Configuration: horizontal and vertical
- Over 1400 installations worldwide
- Installations in 66 countries