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Rotating vortex rope formation and mitigation in draft tube of hydro turbines – A review from experimental perspective

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  • Kumar, Sandeep
  • Cervantes, Michel J.
  • Gandhi, Bhupendra K.

Abstract

Hydropower is a clean and renewable source of energy which is widely used to generate electric power and stabilize the power grid. It can respond quickly to any change in demand with the flexibility to operate over a wide range of time scales. At steady-state part-load operation, a flow structure known as precessing vortex rope develops in the draft tube of singly regulated reaction turbines, which causes large pressure pulsations. The vortex rope develops pressure pulsations in the draft tube cone, structural vibrations, power swings, pulsative pressure recovery, which are the main concerns in the hydropower sector. Studies were carried out to understand the inception as well as mitigation of these detrimental effects due to the rotating vortex rope (RVR) development. The primary focus of the present study is to comprehensively review the experimental investigations carried out to study the formation of RVR, its effects on turbine performance, and the methodologies developed to mitigate its impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Kumar, Sandeep & Cervantes, Michel J. & Gandhi, Bhupendra K., 2021. "Rotating vortex rope formation and mitigation in draft tube of hydro turbines – A review from experimental perspective," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:136:y:2021:i:c:s1364032120306420
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110354
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Raul-Alexandru Szakal & Alexandru Doman & Sebastian Muntean, 2021. "Influence of the Reshaped Elbow on the Unsteady Pressure Field in a Simplified Geometry of the Draft Tube," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-21, March.
    8. Li, Xudong & Yang, Weijia & Liao, Yiwen & Zhang, Shushu & Zheng, Yang & Zhao, Zhigao & Tang, Maojia & Cheng, Yongguang & Liu, Pan, 2024. "Short-term risk-management for hydro-wind-solar hybrid energy system considering hydropower part-load operating characteristics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    9. Li, Puxi & Xiao, Ruofu & Tao, Ran, 2022. "Study of vortex rope based on flow energy dissipation and vortex identification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 1065-1081.
    10. Lei Wang & Jiayi Cui & Lingfeng Shu & Denghui Jiang & Chun Xiang & Linwei Li & Peijian Zhou, 2022. "Research on the Vortex Rope Control Techniques in Draft Tube of Francis Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-27, December.
    11. Lei, Shuaihao & Cheng, Li & Yang, Weixing & Xu, Wentao & Yu, Lei & Luo, Can & Jiao, Weixuan & Shen, Jiantao, 2024. "Dynamic multiscale pressure fluctuation features extraction of mixed-flow pump as turbine (PAT) and flow state recognition of the outlet passage using variational mode decomposition and refined composite variable-step multiscale multimapping dispersi," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    12. Krzemianowski, Zbigniew & Steller, Janusz & Janicki, Waldemar & Góralczyk, Adam, 2025. "Cavitation and runaway experimental research of a very high specific speed low-head model Francis turbine – A case study with emphasis on flow analysis in the draft tube," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    13. Lei, Shuaihao & Cheng, Li & Sheng, Weigao, 2024. "Study on power losses and pressure fluctuations of diffuser mixed flow pump as turbine on different power generation speeds based on energy power models," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PC).
    14. Jesline Joy & Mehrdad Raisee & Michel J. Cervantes, 2022. "Hydraulic Performance of a Francis Turbine with a Variable Draft Tube Guide Vane System to Mitigate Pressure Pulsations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
    15. Nguyen, Duc-Anh & Dinh, Cong-Truong & Kim, Gyeong Sung & Kim, Jin-Hyuk, 2025. "A potential solution to recover energy from wastewater environment by using the single-channel pump as turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    16. Joy, Jesline & Raisee, Mehrdad & Cervantes, Michel J., 2023. "Experimental investigation of an adjustable guide vane system in a Francis turbine draft tube at part load operation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 737-750.
    17. Kim, Seung-Jun & Yang, Hyeon-Mo & Park, Jungwan & Kim, Jin-Hyuk, 2022. "Investigation of internal flow characteristics by a Thoma number in the turbine mode of a Pump–Turbine model under high flow rate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 445-461.
    18. Phoevos (Foivos) Koukouvinis & John Anagnostopoulos, 2023. "State of the Art in Designing Fish-Friendly Turbines: Concepts and Performance Indicators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-25, March.
    19. Sergey Shtork & Daniil Suslov & Sergey Skripkin & Ivan Litvinov & Evgeny Gorelikov, 2023. "An Overview of Active Control Techniques for Vortex Rope Mitigation in Hydraulic Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-31, July.
    20. Salehi, Saeed & Nilsson, Håkan & Lillberg, Eric & Edh, Nicolas, 2021. "An in-depth numerical analysis of transient flow field in a Francis turbine during shutdown," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 2322-2347.
    21. Kan, Kan & Yu, Yunkuan & Zhou, Yuguo & Chen, Yu & Ye, Changliang, 2025. "Numerical investigation of multiscale flow-induced vibration and fatigue life prediction of a large Francis turbine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    22. Kumar, Prashant & Singal, S.K. & Gohil, Pankaj P., 2024. "A technical review on combined effect of cavitation and silt erosion on Francis turbine," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 190(PB).

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