Stainless Steel 0Cr13Ni4Mo Francis Turbine Runner for Francis Hydro Turbine / Water Turbine

Introduction to manufacture of Francis turbine runner

The Francis turbine runner is generally composed of an upper crown, a lower ring, and the blades (the high water head turbine runner has an upper and lower runner wearing ring structure), the conventional upper crown and lower ring are cast and added with different materials according to the requirements of user's Work ( carbon steel 20SiMn or stainless steel 0Cr13Ni4Mo).

There are two kinds of blade production process, one is casting, and then CNC processing, the other is the use of forged steel plate for one-time molding, and then CNC processing, grinding treatment.

Then use special tooling into the rotor blade assembly, blade welding, flaw detection, tempering, grinding, polishing, static balance and other processes, after the factory acceptance completed.

Processing Technology of water turbine runner (Take HLJF3017B-LJ-225 as an example)

1. Runner model: HLJF3017B-LJ-225 The basic size of the runner: Φ2550×1320mm
2. Number of blades: 15
3.  Structure type: the upper crown and lower ring are made of VOD technology vacuum refining casting, and the blade is a forged steel plate
one time molding by hydraulic machine, CNC machining, mirror polishing. The whole runner is welded structure.

4. Material: 

• Upper crown, lower ring:    ZG0Cr13Ni4Mo
• Blades:        Hot rolled anti-wear stainless steel plate 0Cr13Ni5Mo

5.   Processing method of runner blade:    

       According to the blade shape of the runner blade,

       (a). Design the 3D modeling,

       (b). CNC machining of a pressing mold,

       (c). production of processing tools,

       (d). Heating, then one time pressure molding on the hydraulic machine 

       (e). CNC machining, so as to ensure that the runner blade profile is correct 

6. Assembly and processing of runner:

•    The runner is assembled with the special installation tool of the runner, and the opening distance between the runner blades is measured. Modify the blade to ensure that the opening distance meets the requirements of the drawing.
• Use special runner welding tools to weld the runner according to national standards and row standards (root cleaning welding, etc.)
• Non-destructive detection of injuries by ultrasonic, or magnetic powder, or coloring (according to different requirements and diameters of the casting of the runner's upper crown and lower ring (have been detected before welding), weld.
•  After welding, tempering temperature is 650 ° C ~ 750 ° C, keep for 8 hours, and cool naturally with the furnace.
• Polish the runner and blade to the drawing requirements, and polish the polishing place.
• Polish the runner and blade to the drawing requirements, and polish the polishing place.

The Below pictures will show the detail produce progress of the Francis turbine runner.

1. Material and the steel plate cutting
3. Heating (automatic temperature control furnace)
4. one time pressure molding by 500 ton hydraulic machine
5. Shaping by the 500 ton hydraulic machine
8. CNC machining the Francis runner
11. The blades after mirror polishing
13. Francis turbine runner Pre-assembly
15. THE Francis turbine runner welding
17. The Francis turbine runner doing the Ultrasonic testing of welds
19. The Finished Francis turbine runner
21. the Static balance testing of Francis turbine runner
23. the Finished Francis turbine runner delivery.