The tubular turbine requires less space than other turbines, a saving in civil costs is realized due to a smaller powerhouse and shallow requirements for the draft tube, which is equipped with adjustable wicket gates and adjustable runner blades. This arrangement provides the greatest possible flexibility in adapting to changing net head and changing demands for power output; Because the gates and blades can be adjusted to their optimum openings.

The tubular turbines are the best selection for exploitation of tidal power and hydraulic power with extremely low heads and extremely large flow rates. They have large discharge, high specific and high efficiency, and need less excavation.

They have been classified into Bulb, Pit, Siphon and "S" types in the light of their structural types.

At present, Fuchun has developed 16 varieties of tubular turbines, ranging from 2 to 25m in water head, 120KW to 16MW in capacity, and 0.8m to 5.8m in runner diameter. They offered the best selection for exploitation of low head hydropower resources in China.