Bulb Turbine

Nowadays, very low heads can be used for power generation in a way that is economically feasible. So far, ANDRITZ HYDRO has supplied more than 300 units, ranging from heads of up to 30 m, with a maximum runner diameter of 7,700 mm and outputs up to 76.5 MW.

The most important feature of a bulb turbine is the horizontal positioning of the shaft, which results in a reduced size compared to a vertical shaft arrangement.

After the intake, the water passes through the moveable wicket gates, which are another device besides the runner for adjusting the water discharge and, as a result, the turbine output. Levers and links connect the wicket gates to the regulating ring, which is moved by two double acting servomotors. After passing the runner, the water exits from the turbine through the draft tube.

The generator is located in a watertight housing called the “bulb”.