Gilkes Pelton Turbine – High-Efficiency Impulse Turbine for 50 kW to 10 MW Hydro Projects | High-Head, Low-Flow Applications | UK Engineering, Global Deployment

Gilkes Pelton Turbine – High-Efficiency Impulse Turbine for 50 kW to 10 MW Hydro Projects

Overview

Key Features

• Turbine Type: Pelton (Impulse) – operates with jets of water striking spoon-shaped buckets
• Head Range: 50 meters to 1,800+ meters
• Flow Rate: 0.02 m³/s to 1.8 m³/s (depending on jet configuration)
• Runner Design:
  • Single to 6-jet configurations for optimal efficiency
  • Stainless steel or cast alloy runners for erosion resistance
• Efficiency: Up to 92% at design point
• Control System: Hydraulic or electric governors with needle/nozzle regulation
• Materials: Marine-grade stainless steel (for abrasive water), bronze bearings, corrosion-resistant coatings

Technical Highlights

• Power Range: 50 kW – 10 MW
• Speed: 375–1,500 rpm (direct-coupled or geared to generator)
• Automation Ready: Compatible with PLC/SCADA for remote operation
• Certifications: ISO 9001, IEC 60193 (hydraulic turbine testing), CE Marked
• Design Life: 40+ years with minimal maintenance

Ideal Applications

• Micro/mini hydro projects under MNRE’s Small Hydro Programme
• Industrial captive power using process water (e.g., sugar mills, mining)
• Rural electrification in hilly states (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh)
• Retrofitting old irrigation canal drops or dam spillways