
ยท The Francis turbine is a reaction turbine, which means that the working fluid changes pressure as it moves through the turbine, giving up its energy.
ยท The inlet is spiral shaped. Guide vanes direct the water tangentially to the runner. The radial flow acts on the runner vanes, causing it to spin.
ยท The guide vanes (or wicket gates) are adjustable in order to allow efficient turbine operation for a range of water flow conditions.
ยท Power plants operate with net heads ranging from 66 to 2,461 ft (20 to 750 m).