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Turbines

Fluid Mechanics · FE Reference Handbook section

Fluid Mechanics
4 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~53 min
All Fluid Mechanics lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • Turbines produce power by extracting energy from a working fluid. The energy loss shows up as a decrease in fluid
  • For an ideal gas with constant specific heats:

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for power output — Turbines

turbines in a hydroelectric powerhouse fed by a penstock Given turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7000; specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,765 N/m^3; flow rate (Q) = 18.6000 m^3/s; net head (H) = 74.0000 m, determine the power output (P) in W.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(eta)=0.7000turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7000
  • specificweightofwater(gamma)=9,765N/m3specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,765 N/m^3
  • flowrate(Q)=18.6000m3/sflow rate (Q) = 18.6000 m^3/s
  • nethead(H)=74.0000mnet head (H) = 74.0000 m

Find

power output (P), in W

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Turbines (hydraulic power output).
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Turbines extract power from flowing water passing through a penstock under a net head.
D₁=200D₂=200penstockturbine

Figure 1 — schematic for Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for power output — Turbines

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7000, specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,765 N/m^3, flow rate (Q) = 18.6000 m^3/s, net head (H) = 74.0000 m.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=9408382 WP = 9408382\ \text{W}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 9,408,382 W to

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=9408382 WP = 9408382\ \text{W}

Why the other options are there

  • 18,816,764 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 4,704,191 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 10,349,220 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 2
Hydraulic turbine power output — solve for power output — Turbines (2)

a Kaplan turbine on a river diversion Given turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7100; water density (\rho) = 998.0 kg/m^3; gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2; discharge (Q) = 40.0000 m^3/s; net head (H) = 38.5000 m, determine the power output (P) in W.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(η)=0.7100turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7100
  • waterdensity(ρ)=998.0kg/m3water density (\rho) = 998.0 kg/m^3
  • gravitationalacceleration(g)=9.8100m/s2gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2
  • discharge(Q)=40.0000m3/sdischarge (Q) = 40.0000 m^3/s
  • nethead(H)=38.5000mnet head (H) = 38.5000 m

Find

power output (P), in W

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic turbine power output.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • A reaction turbine extracts power from flow under a net head at a dam outlet works.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7100, water density (\rho) = 998.0 kg/m^3, gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2, discharge (Q) = 40.0000 m^3/s, net head (H) = 38.5000 m.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    P=0.7100998.09.810040.000038.5000P = 0.7100 998.0 9.8100 40.0000 38.5000
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=10704801 WP = 10704801\ \text{W}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 10,704,801 W to

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=10704801 WP = 10704801\ \text{W}

Why the other options are there

  • 21,409,603 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5,352,401 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11,775,282 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 3
Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for flow rate — Turbines (3)

turbines extracting energy from a dam's reservoir head Given turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.8000; specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,760 N/m^3; net head (H) = 83.0000 m; power output (P) = 435,300 W, determine the flow rate (Q) in m^3/s.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(eta)=0.8000turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.8000
  • specificweightofwater(gamma)=9,760N/m3specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,760 N/m^3
  • nethead(H)=83.0000mnet head (H) = 83.0000 m
  • poweroutput(P)=435,300Wpower output (P) = 435,300 W

Find

flow rate (Q), in m^3/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Turbines (hydraulic power output).
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Turbines extract power from flowing water passing through a penstock under a net head.
D₁=200D₂=200penstockturbine

Figure 3 — schematic for Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for flow rate — Turbines (3)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.8000, specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,760 N/m^3, net head (H) = 83.0000 m, power output (P) = 435,300 W.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q = 0.6717\ \text{m^3/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 0.6717 m^3/s to

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q = 0.6717\ \text{m^3/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 1.3434 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.3358 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.7389 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 4
Hydraulic turbine power output — solve for discharge — Turbines (4)

a Pelton wheel fed by a penstock Given power output (P) = 2,881,508 W; turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.9100; water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3; gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2; net head (H) = 78.5000 m, determine the discharge (Q) in m^3/s.

Given

  • poweroutput(P)=2,881,508Wpower output (P) = 2,881,508 W
  • turbineefficiency(η)=0.9100turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.9100
  • waterdensity(ρ)=999.0kg/m3water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3
  • gravitationalacceleration(g)=9.8100m/s2gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2
  • nethead(H)=78.5000mnet head (H) = 78.5000 m

Find

discharge (Q), in m^3/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic turbine power output.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • A reaction turbine extracts power from flow under a net head at a dam outlet works.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:

    Q=PηρgHQ = \dfrac{P}{\eta \rho g H}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: power output (P) = 2,881,508 W, turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.9100, water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3, gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2, net head (H) = 78.5000 m.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Q=28815080.9100999.09.810078.5000Q = \dfrac{2881508}{0.9100 999.0 9.8100 78.5000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q = 4.1160\ \text{m^3/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 4.1160 m^3/s to

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q = 4.1160\ \text{m^3/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 8.2320 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.0580 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 4.5276 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 5
Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for net head — Turbines (5)

turbines used in a small run-of-river hydro plant Given turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.8000; specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,760 N/m^3; flow rate (Q) = 12.8000 m^3/s; power output (P) = 3,319,600 W, determine the net head (H) in m.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(eta)=0.8000turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.8000
  • specificweightofwater(gamma)=9,760N/m3specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,760 N/m^3
  • flowrate(Q)=12.8000m3/sflow rate (Q) = 12.8000 m^3/s
  • poweroutput(P)=3,319,600Wpower output (P) = 3,319,600 W

Find

net head (H), in m

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Turbines (hydraulic power output).
  • Everything except H is given, so isolate H symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Turbines extract power from flowing water passing through a penstock under a net head.
D₁=200D₂=200penstockturbine

Figure 5 — schematic for Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for net head — Turbines (5)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that H stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.8000, specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,760 N/m^3, flow rate (Q) = 12.8000 m^3/s, power output (P) = 3,319,600 W.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    H=33.2151 mH = 33.2151\ \text{m}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning H = 33.2151 m to

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
H=33.2151 mH = 33.2151\ \text{m}

Why the other options are there

  • 66.4303 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 16.6076 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 36.5366 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 6
Hydraulic turbine power output — solve for net head — Turbines (6)

a Francis turbine at a low-head dam Given power output (P) = 210,762 W; turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.8900; water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3; gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2; discharge (Q) = 24.5000 m^3/s, determine the net head (H) in m.

Given

  • poweroutput(P)=210,762Wpower output (P) = 210,762 W
  • turbineefficiency(η)=0.8900turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.8900
  • waterdensity(ρ)=999.0kg/m3water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3
  • gravitationalacceleration(g)=9.8100m/s2gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2
  • discharge(Q)=24.5000m3/sdischarge (Q) = 24.5000 m^3/s

Find

net head (H), in m

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic turbine power output.
  • Everything except H is given, so isolate H symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • A reaction turbine extracts power from flow under a net head at a dam outlet works.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for H:

    H=PηρgQH = \dfrac{P}{\eta \rho g Q}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: power output (P) = 210,762 W, turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.8900, water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3, gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2, discharge (Q) = 24.5000 m^3/s.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    H=2107620.8900999.09.810024.5000H = \dfrac{210762}{0.8900 999.0 9.8100 24.5000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    H=0.9863 mH = 0.9863\ \text{m}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning H = 0.9863 m to

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
H=0.9863 mH = 0.9863\ \text{m}

Why the other options are there

  • 1.9726 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.4931 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.0849 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 7
Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for power output (case 2) — Turbines (7)

turbines in a hydroelectric powerhouse fed by a penstock Given turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7400; specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,730 N/m^3; flow rate (Q) = 15.7000 m^3/s; net head (H) = 77.0000 m, determine the power output (P) in W.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(eta)=0.7400turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7400
  • specificweightofwater(gamma)=9,730N/m3specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,730 N/m^3
  • flowrate(Q)=15.7000m3/sflow rate (Q) = 15.7000 m^3/s
  • nethead(H)=77.0000mnet head (H) = 77.0000 m

Find

power output (P), in W

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Turbines (hydraulic power output).
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Turbines extract power from flowing water passing through a penstock under a net head.
D₁=200D₂=200penstockturbine

Figure 7 — schematic for Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for power output (case 2) — Turbines (7)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7400, specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,730 N/m^3, flow rate (Q) = 15.7000 m^3/s, net head (H) = 77.0000 m.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=8704322 WP = 8704322\ \text{W}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 8,704,322 W to

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=8704322 WP = 8704322\ \text{W}

Why the other options are there

  • 17,408,644 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 4,352,161 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 9,574,754 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 8
Hydraulic turbine power output — solve for power output (case 2) — Turbines (8)

a Kaplan turbine on a river diversion Given turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7800; water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3; gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2; discharge (Q) = 33.3000 m^3/s; net head (H) = 42.0000 m, determine the power output (P) in W.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(η)=0.7800turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7800
  • waterdensity(ρ)=999.0kg/m3water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3
  • gravitationalacceleration(g)=9.8100m/s2gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2
  • discharge(Q)=33.3000m3/sdischarge (Q) = 33.3000 m^3/s
  • nethead(H)=42.0000mnet head (H) = 42.0000 m

Find

power output (P), in W

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic turbine power output.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • A reaction turbine extracts power from flow under a net head at a dam outlet works.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for P:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7800, water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3, gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2, discharge (Q) = 33.3000 m^3/s, net head (H) = 42.0000 m.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    P=0.7800999.09.810033.300042.0000P = 0.7800 999.0 9.8100 33.3000 42.0000
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=10691106 WP = 10691106\ \text{W}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 10,691,106 W to

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=10691106 WP = 10691106\ \text{W}

Why the other options are there

  • 21,382,211 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5,345,553 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11,760,216 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 9
Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for flow rate (case 2) — Turbines (9)

turbines extracting energy from a dam's reservoir head Given turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7100; specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,775 N/m^3; net head (H) = 97.0000 m; power output (P) = 4,890,300 W, determine the flow rate (Q) in m^3/s.

Given

  • turbineefficiency(eta)=0.7100turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7100
  • specificweightofwater(gamma)=9,775N/m3specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,775 N/m^3
  • nethead(H)=97.0000mnet head (H) = 97.0000 m
  • poweroutput(P)=4,890,300Wpower output (P) = 4,890,300 W

Find

flow rate (Q), in m^3/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Turbines (hydraulic power output).
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Turbines extract power from flowing water passing through a penstock under a net head.
D₁=200D₂=200penstockturbine

Figure 9 — schematic for Turbines (hydraulic power output) — solve for flow rate (case 2) — Turbines (9)

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that Q stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: turbine efficiency (eta) = 0.7100, specific weight of water (gamma) = 9,775 N/m^3, net head (H) = 97.0000 m, power output (P) = 4,890,300 W.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q = 7.2642\ \text{m^3/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 7.2642 m^3/s to

    P=ηγQHP = \eta \gamma Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q = 7.2642\ \text{m^3/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 14.5284 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 3.6321 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 7.9906 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

Example 10
Hydraulic turbine power output — solve for discharge (case 2) — Turbines (10)

a Pelton wheel fed by a penstock Given power output (P) = 2,089,642 W; turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7600; water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3; gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2; net head (H) = 86.0000 m, determine the discharge (Q) in m^3/s.

Given

  • poweroutput(P)=2,089,642Wpower output (P) = 2,089,642 W
  • turbineefficiency(η)=0.7600turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7600
  • waterdensity(ρ)=999.0kg/m3water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3
  • gravitationalacceleration(g)=9.8100m/s2gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2
  • nethead(H)=86.0000mnet head (H) = 86.0000 m

Find

discharge (Q), in m^3/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Hydraulic turbine power output.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • A reaction turbine extracts power from flow under a net head at a dam outlet works.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:

    Q=PηρgHQ = \dfrac{P}{\eta \rho g H}
  3. Step 3 — List the givens: power output (P) = 2,089,642 W, turbine efficiency (\eta) = 0.7600, water density (\rho) = 999.0 kg/m^3, gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8100 m/s^2, net head (H) = 86.0000 m.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Q=20896420.7600999.09.810086.0000Q = \dfrac{2089642}{0.7600 999.0 9.8100 86.0000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q = 3.2623\ \text{m^3/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 3.2623 m^3/s to

    P=ηρgQHP = \eta \rho g Q H

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q = 3.2623\ \text{m^3/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 6.5246 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1.6312 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 3.5885 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Turbines

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