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Hey users, before going to read on our main topic Difference between Impulse Turbine
and Reaction Turbine let us also give some overview of Impulse and Reaction turbine.

I have listed a total of 21 points on differences for you easy to understand.

The best parts?

I have explained in simple and understandable words.

You can score maximum marks in your exam or interview on these topics.

Let’s start with Impulse Turbine first,

Impulse Turbine:

An impulse turbine is a turbine in which the high velocity of water strikes the bucket directly.

The impulse type of turbine is used in hydropower plants for the generation of electricity.

Reaction turbine:

The reaction turbine operates on Newton’s third law of motion. How? let me explain to you,

A reaction turbine develops torque by reacting to the pressure or weight of a fluid.

Read Reaction Turbine in detail.

Here is a simple diagram you can understand and get some idea from the diagram:

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Difference between Impulse Turbine and Reaction Turbine

Difference between Impulse Turbine and

Reaction Turbine:
Sl
Impulse Turbine Reaction Turbine
No.

An example of an Impulse turbine is An example of a Reaction turbine is the

1.
the Pelton wheel turbine. Kaplan Turbine and Francis Turbine.

Here reaction turbine consists of fixed

This type of turbine consists of
2. blades that act as a moving blade and
moving blades and nozzles.
nozzle.

In the reaction turbine, steam is partially

Steam is expanded in the nozzle and
expanded in the fixed blades. Only some
3. for that, all the pressure energy is
amount of kinetic energy is converted
converted into kinetic energy.
into pressure energy.

Therefore Pressure of steam is But here the Pressure of steam is not

4.
constant here over the moving blades. constant here.

5. Low efficiency. High efficiency.

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6. It occupies less space per unit power. It occupies more space per unit power.

The reaction turbine operates at lower or

7. It operates at higher water heads.
medium water heads.

8. The blades are symmetrical. The blades are not symmetrical.

The steam impinges on the bucket Here the steam glides over the moving
9.
with kinetic energy. vanes with kinetic and pressure energy.

Without a loss the flow regulation is With the loss, the flow regulation are
10.
possible. done.

The unit is installed below the tailrace

The unit is installed above the
11. that means completely submerged in
tailrace.
water.

In front of nozzle only the blades are Here the blades are in action with all the
12.
in action. time and side.

The steam velocity is very high and The steam velocity is not very high and
13.
therefore the speed of turbine is high. therefore the speed of the turbine is low.

In an Impulse turbine, The steam may But in Reaction Turbine, the steam
14. or may not be admitted over the pressure is reduced during the flow-
whole circumference. through blades.

Impulse turbine: Water discharge

First, it discharges into a Draft tube and
15. directly from the turbine wheel to the
then to the tailrace.
tailrace.

The blade efficiency curved is less

16. The blade efficiency curved is more flat.
flat.

Maintenace of these turbine is not easy

17. Maintenance is easy here.
here.

18. There is no draft tube here. but In Reaction turbine there is Draft tube.

19. The degree of reaction is zero. The degree of reaction is zero or one.

Impulse turbine is sutable for low Impulse turbine is sutable for medium or
20.
discharge. High discharge.

Impulse turbine works at atmospheric But Reaction turbine works at above

21.
pressure. atmoshpheric presure.

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This is toat 21 Point on Impulse turbine vs Reaction Turbine.

Let me know if you understand or not by using the comment box and also please let me know
another topic you want explanations in detail.

I have attached a PDF here. You can download PDF just by scrolling down.

Thank you for your valuable time for reading. Do visit our other great article.

Question and answer:

What is an impulse turbine?

An impulse turbine is a turbine in which the high velocity of water strikes the bucket directly.
The impulse type of turbine is used in hydropower plants for the generation of electricity.

What is a reaction turbine?

The reaction turbine operates on Newton’s third law of motion. A reaction turbine develops
torque by reacting to the pressure or weight of a fluid.

Which is a more efficient impulse or reaction turbine?

The impulse turbine is more efficient.

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