The Francis Turbine is named for its inventor, James B. Francis, who developed the technology in 1848 while serving as head engineer of the Locks and Canals Company in Lowell, Massachusetts. His design improved blade efficiency by 10 percent and remains the most commonly used water turbine. Wilson Dam is the most powerful conventional dam in the TVA system, thanks in part to its 21 inward-flow Francis turbines, which can reach up to 35,000 horsepower and help give the dam the nickname "The Niagara of the South." A Francis turbine has three main components: a spiral casing that receives water from the dam's penstock, reduces water speed, and increases pressure as the water moves toward the runner blades; guide vanes that convert pressure energy into momentum energy and direct the water toward the runner blades at the proper angle; and runner blades, where the force of striking water causes rotation that allows the generator to produce electricity.

Muscle Shoals, Alabama · USA