Peltonturbiner

Peltonturbiner refers to the Pelton turbine, an impulse hydro turbine used to convert the potential energy of high-head water into mechanical energy. Named for inventor Lester A. Pelton, the design emerged in the late 19th century and has since become a standard solution for suitable hydropower sites.

Operating principle: A high-pressure water jet strikes spoon- or bucket-shaped scoops arranged around the rim of a wheel. The jet is deflected by about 180 degrees, transferring momentum to the runner and generating rotational motion. Water exits with reduced velocity, allowing efficient energy extraction at high heads.

Design and components: The main parts are the runner with multiple buckets, nozzles or jets feeding the buckets, and a casing that guides the flow. A governor or control valve regulates nozzle flow to maintain a desired speed. Pelton machines are typically vertical-axis units, with high robustness and relatively low maintenance needs; efficiency is high at the design point.

Applications and performance: Pelton turbines excel at high-head, low-flow conditions and are widely used in large dams, pumped-storage plants, and remote hydro sites. They tolerate abrupt flow changes and are relatively simple to repair. At part load, efficiency can drop, which is managed with flow control and turbine governors.

Terminology: In some languages, peltonturbiner is the term for Pelton turbines. The concept remains widely documented in hydropower literature and engineering handbooks.