Comparison between Vertical and Horizontal Kaplan machines

Sl.No Vertical Full Kaplan Horizontal Full Kaplan

1 Efficiency is more in rated load Efficiency is less in rated load

2 Power house is compact in size

Power house is bigger in size with regard to span

compared to vertical

3 Crane span is less Crane span is more

4 Runaway speed is less Runaway speed is more

5 Best suitable for very low head

Generally suitable for lower head over and above 5

mtrs

6 Civil Excavation is very less

Needs deeper excavation due to S-bend in the Draft

tube

7

Civil Cost will be lesser due to less span and

size of the power house

Civil cost relatively higher due to bigger span and

size of the power house

8

Chances of flooding (i.e. gear Box, generator &

OPU etc) is very remote as most of the

equipments are over and above the turbine on

platform(Base frame)

Chances of flooding (i.e. gear Box, generator & OPU

etc) is high as most of the equipments are located in

the same elevation

9

Less vibrations as turbine shaft required is

small in length

Prone to vibrations if alignment is not proper due to

lengthy shaft on turbine

10

Dewatering will be easier for maintenance on

runner assembly as the setting is positive

Dewatering takes longer time and may have a issue

if the upstream & downstream gates are not full leak

proof

NOTE:

In lieu of the above explanations, it would be better to opt for vertical configuration for low heads to

have higher efficiency, greater stability and safety of Equipment.

Hence Vertical Option Considered