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Numerical Simulation of a Kaplan Prototype during Speed-No-Load Operation

Author

Listed:
  • Raluca Gabriela Iovănel

    (Division of Fluid and Experimental Mechanics, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden)

  • Arash Soltani Dehkharqani

    (R&D Engineer, Svenska Rotor Maskiner, Svarvarvägen 2, 132 38 Saltsjö-boo, Sweden)

  • Michel Jose Cervantes

    (Division of Fluid and Experimental Mechanics, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden)

Abstract

Hydropower plants often work in off-design conditions to regulate the power grid frequency. Frequent transient operation of hydraulic turbines leads to premature failure, fatigue and damage to the turbine components. The speed-no-load (SNL) operating condition is the last part of the start-up cycle and one of the most damaging operation conditions of hydraulic turbines. Hydraulic instabilities and high-stress pressure fluctuations occur due to the low flow rate and unsteady load on the runner blades. Numerical simulations can provide useful insight concerning the complex flow structures that develop inside hydraulic turbines during SNL operation. Together with experimental investigations, the numerical simulations can help diagnose failures and optimize the exploitation of hydraulic turbines. This paper introduces the numerical model of a full-scale 10 MW Kaplan turbine prototype operated at SNL. The geometry was obtained by scaling the geometry of the corresponding model turbine as the model and prototype are geometrically similar. The numerical model is simplified and designed to optimize the numerical precision and computational costs. The guide vane and runner domains are asymmetrical, the epoxy layer applied to two runner blades during the experimental measurements is not modelled and a constant runner blade clearance is employed. The unsteady simulation was performed using the SAS–SST turbulence model. The numerical results were validated with torque and pressure experimental data. The mean quantities obtained from the numerical simulation were in good agreement with the experiment. The mean pressure values were better captured on the pressure side of the runner blade compared to the suction side. However, the amplitude of the pressure fluctuations was more accurately predicted on the suction side of the runner blade. The amplitude of the torque fluctuations was considerably underestimated.

Suggested Citation

  • Raluca Gabriela Iovănel & Arash Soltani Dehkharqani & Michel Jose Cervantes, 2022. "Numerical Simulation of a Kaplan Prototype during Speed-No-Load Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:14:p:5072-:d:860667
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raluca G. Iovănel & Georgiana Dunca & Diana M. Bucur & Michel J. Cervantes, 2020. "Numerical Simulation of the Flow in a Kaplan Turbine Model during Transient Operation from the Best Efficiency Point to Part Load," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Arash Soltani Dehkharqani & Fredrik Engström & Jan-Olov Aidanpää & Michel J. Cervantes, 2019. "Experimental Investigation of a 10 MW Prototype Kaplan Turbine during Start-Up Operation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Raluca Gabriela Iovănel & Arash Soltani Dehkharqani & Diana Maria Bucur & Michel Jose Cervantes, 2022. "Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of a Kaplan Prototype Turbine Operating on a Cam Curve," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-24, June.
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