Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: an outward flow
Explanation:
Introduction:
Early reaction turbines were designed with either inward or outward radial flow. The Fourneyron turbine is a classic outward-flow design that significantly influenced subsequent turbine development.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In the Fourneyron turbine, water enters the runner near the center and flows radially outward, transferring energy to the moving blades before discharging at the periphery. This is the defining feature of an outward-flow reaction turbine, contrasting with inward-flow (e.g., Thomson) and axial-flow (e.g., Kaplan) machines.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Trace the streamline through the runner: center → periphery.Identify energy exchange as pressure plus kinetic energy to shaft work.Classify flow as outward radial, hence “outward flow”.
Verification / Alternative check:
Canonical diagrams of Fourneyron runners show outward discharge to the casing.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
axial flow: belongs to propeller/Kaplan designs.inward flow: characteristic of Thomson or certain Francis variants.mixed flow: typical of Francis; not the original Fourneyron style.
Common Pitfalls:
Spelling confusion (“Fourneyron” vs “Fourneyron”); the classification remains outward flow either way.
Final Answer:
an outward flow
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