Francis turbines
The industry standard for robust, high-efficiency hydropower generation across a broadrange of heads.
The Francis turbine is the most common type of water turbine in use today. Traditionally recognized as a simple and highly robust machine, it is suited for the exploitation of water energy across an impressive range of heads, from very low head sites to high-head installations reaching 750 m.
Characterized by a fixed-blade runner, our Francis turbines reach the highest efficiency levels and the highest power outputs of all water turbines. Litostroj Power engineers these machines with a heavy focus on mechanical robustness, ensuring they operate safely and reliably over several decades with minimal maintenance.
Operational parameters
Explore our Francis architectures
Vertical Francis turbines
For large-scale hydroelectric installations where maximum power output is required, the vertical arrangement is the preferred configuration.
Technical parameters
Operating heads: 10 m to 750 m
Power output: Up to 350 MW.
Operation range: Capable of operating continuously at at partial load and deep partial load
Core specific features
Vortex rope mitigation
To reduce the draft tube vortex effect and ensure stable operation, air admission is supplied under the turbine runner either through the unit shaft or special piping provisions. Regulation of this air admission can be provided for special applications.
Advanced penstock safety
Units can be equipped with a Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) to protect the penstock from excessive pressure rises during rapid load changes. The PRV operates in coordination with the guide vane mechanism, temporarily bypassing turbine discharge and reducing hydraulic transients.
Horizontal Francis turbines
Horizontal Francis units are highly effective but are physically limited by their capacity and size. They offer exceptional value for smaller capacity sites.
Technical parameters
Operating heads: 10 m to 500 m.
Power output: Scaled for smaller capacities
Configurations: Available in single, double, twin, and camel-back horizontal arrangements.
Core specific features
Compact footprint
The primary advantage of horizontal units is their compact design, resulting in smaller overall unit sizes.
Configuration flexibility
Due to their streamlined physical footprint and reduced civil engineering requirements, horizontal Francis units are highly competitive in price.
Camel back and double Francis turbines
The Double-Runner Francis Turbine is designed for applications requiring exceptionally high discharge and power output within constrained civil dimensions. Featuring two Francis runners mounted on a common shaft, the design efficiently distributes the flow between both runners, allowing higher unit capacities while limiting runner size and powerhouse height.
Technical parameters
Operating heads: From 40 m to 250 m.
Power output: Up to 25 MW.
Discharge range: From 1.5 m³/s to 25 m³/s.
Core specific features
Extreme low-discharge operation
The double-runner Francis turbine can operate with both runners in service or with a single runner, providing an exceptionally wide operating range and maintaining stable operation at very low discharges.
Optimized for large discharges
By distributing the flow between two runners mounted on a common shaft, the double-runner Francis turbine enables very high unit outputs while maintaining practical runner dimensions. This configuration can reduce powerhouse dimensions and simplify transportation and installation compared to a single-runner solution of equivalent capacity
Balanced mechanical forces
The opposed runner arrangement significantly reduces hydraulic axial forces acting on the shaft arrangement, contributing to stable operation and optimized bearing design.
References
Our Francis turbines on the grid
Core features
Francis turbines advantages
Francis turbines combine high efficiency, proven reliability, and exceptional versatility across a broad range of heads and outputs. Their robust design, long service life, and adaptability to diverse site conditions make them the preferred choice for many hydropower applications worldwide.
Highest hydropower efficiency
Francis turbines deliver the highest efficiency and power output of all hydraulic turbine types. Litostroj combines advanced CFD-based hydraulic design with extensive model testing expertise to maximize energy production and ensure reliable, predictable turbine performance.
Built for a lifetime
The mechanical simplicity of the fixed-blade Francis runner is its greatest strength. Engineered for absolute robustness, these units require minimal maintenance and reliably deliver outstanding lifecycle value over decades of continuous operation.
Complete in-house manufacturing
We manufacture all runners in-house, utilizing technologies ranging from welded low-head designs to fully CNC-machined forged runners for high-head applications. This manufacturing flexibility allows us to perfectly optimize every runner while maintaining uncompromising quality control.
Ready to build your next powerhouse?
Whether you are planning a greenfield installation or need to uprate a century-old turbine, our engineering teams are ready to architect your solution.