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water turbine

Also known as: hydraulic turbine

Quick Summary

A water turbine is a device that harnesses the energy of flowing water to produce mechanical power, which is then typically converted into electricity. These turbines are broadly categorized into two main types: impulse turbines, used for high water heads and low flow rates, and reaction turbines, suitable for lower heads and moderate to high flow rates.1234

Common examples include the Pelton turbine (impulse) and the Francis, propeller, and Kaplan turbines (reaction). Water flows through a series of blades, causing the turbine's runner to spin. This rotational energy is then used to drive a generator in hydroelectric installations. Water turbines are crucial for generating electricity in hydroelectric power plants.315

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