Work

Numerical study of the flow dynamics at no-load operation for a high head Francis turbine at model scale

Year: 2019

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: No-load operation is among the most damaging operating conditions. Since no energy is extracted by the turbine during this operation, the fluid energy is dissipated by highly energetic and turbulent flow phenomena causing high pressure and strain fluctuations on the turbine components. These highly turbulent flows are complex and, until now, poorly understood. This paper presents preliminary three-dimensional simulations of no-load turbulent flow within a high head Francis turbine at model scale using Computational Fluid Dynamics and the SAS-SST turbulence model. The numerical results are compared with unsteady experimental pressure data acquired on the runner blades of a model turbine. A preliminary study of the numerical results reveals some specific flow behaviors present at no-load operation.

Source: IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science

DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/240/2/022023

Authors: Mélissa Fortin, Bernd Nennemann, Sébastien Houde, Claire Deschênes

Institution: Université Laval

Language: English

Topic: Cavitation Phenomena in Pumps

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Compute Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada