Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Misaligned Guide Vanes on Improving S-Shaped Characteristics for a Pump-Turbine

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Yexiang ◽  
Zhu Wei ◽  
Wang Zhengwei ◽  
Zhang Jin ◽  
Ahn Soo-Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Discharge Rates ◽  
Unit Speed

The S-shaped characteristic curves in pump-turbines complicate synchronization with the electrical grid and affect system safety. Misaligned guide vanes (MGVs) are one of the most effective solutions to avoid S-shaped characteristics. The internal flow mechanism with the MGV for improving S-shaped characteristics was studied by numerical analysis. Six operating conditions were modeled in the S-shaped region. Four guide vanes were arranged as the MGVs to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the flow behavior. The internal flow was quite complex at the four operating points without the MGV; here, the attack angle and the flow behavior had no obvious difference at each vane. For the similar conditions with MGVs, attack angles and internal flow fields varied clearly at each vane, especially in the vaneless region and in the runner blade passages. For the same discharge rates, total openings, and rotating speeds, the internal flows were quite different between with and without the MGVs. The MGVs disrupt the high-speed circumferential water ring (appreciably faster compared to the main flow) in the vaneless region and maintain operation with higher unit speeds. Consequently, the unit speed is larger at the same unit discharge in the S-shaped region. Therefore, the MGV method can reduce S-shaped characteristics.

Analysis of the internal flow behavior on S-shaped region of a Francis pump turbine on turbine mode

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yexiang Xiao ◽  
Wei Zhu ◽  
Zhengwei Wang ◽  
jin zhang ◽  
Chongji Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Flow Characteristic ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Optimal Operation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Unit Discharge ◽  
Pump Turbine ◽  
Runner Blade

Purpose Numerically analyzed the flow characteristic and explored the hydrodynamic mechanism of the S-shaped region formation of a Francis pump-turbine. Design/methodology/approach Three-dimensional steady and unsteady simulations were performed for a number of operating conditions at the optimal guide vanes opening. The steady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations with the SST turbulence model were solved to model the internal flow within the entire flow passage. The predicted discharge-speed curve agrees well with the model test at generating mode. This paper compared the hydrodynamic characteristics of for off-design cases in S-shaped region with the optimal operating case, and more analysis focuses particularly on very low positive and negative discharge cases with the same unit speed. Findings At runaway case towards smaller discharge, the relative circumferential velocity becomes stronger in the vaneless, which generates the “water ring” and blocks the flow between guide vane and runner. The runner inlet attack angle becomes larger, and the runner blade passages nearly filled with flow separation and vortexes. The deterioration of runner blade flow leads to the dramatic decrease of runner torque, which tends to reduce the runner rotation speed. In this situation, the internal flow can’t maintain the larger rotating speed at very low positive discharge cases, so the unit discharge-speed curves bend to S-shaped near runaway case. Originality/value The analysis method of four off-design cases on S-shaped region with the comparison of optimal operation case and the calculated attack angles are adopted to explore the mechanism of S characteristic. The flow characteristic and quantitative analysis all explain the bending of the unit discharge-speed curves.

Measurement of Unsteady Flow in Pump-Turbine for Hydropower Using PIV Method

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiko Fukuda ◽  
Satoshi Someya ◽  
Koji Okamoto
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Velocity Measurement ◽  
Numerical Procedure ◽  
Hydraulic Turbine ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Time ◽  
Pump Turbine ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Wide Range

It is thought that the pressure fluctuation can occur due to the interaction between flow through guide vanes and flow into runner blades, resulting in a vibration of turbine and a blade cracking, in a hydraulic turbine operated in a wide range for flexible power demand. High accurate velocity measurement with high time/spatial resolution can help to clarify the mechanism of the interaction and to provide good experimental data for the validation of numerical procedure. So the aim of present study is to estimate the unstable velocity field quantitatively in the area between guide vanes and runner blades, using high time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV). Two types of velocity measurements were carried out, i.e., phase-locked measurement and high time sequential velocity measurement, in a pump-turbine model with 20 guide vanes and 6 runner blades. The characteristic of the flow field varied corresponding to the operating conditions such as flow rate and rotational speed. Opening angles of guide vanes were kept uniform. A clockwise vortex was generated at inside of the runner blade under smaller rotational speed. A counterclockwise vortex was separated at the backside of the runner blade under higher rotational speed. At any operating conditions, the velocity between guide vanes and runner blades oscillated periodically at the blade passing frequency.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of a Model Pump-turbine Internal Flow Behavior in Pump Hump District

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 032040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Yangyang ◽  
Xiao Yexiang ◽  
Zhu Wei ◽  
Zhai Liming ◽  
An Soo Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Pump Turbine

Inter-Blade Vortex Characteristics With the Blockage Effects of Runner Blade in a Francis Hydro Turbine Model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seung-Jun Kim ◽  
Jin-Hyuk Kim ◽  
Young-Seok Choi ◽  
Yong Cho ◽  
Jong-Woong Choi
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Hydro Turbine ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Performance Reduction ◽  
Turbine Model ◽  
Low Flow Rate

Abstract This study presents the numerical analysis on the inter-blade vortex characteristics along with the blockage effects of runner blade in a Francis hydro turbine model with various flow rate conditions. The turbine model showed different flow characteristics in the runner blade passages according to operating conditions, and inter-blade vortex was observed at lower flow rate conditions. This inter-blade vortex can lead to performance reduction, vibration, and instability for smooth operation of turbine systems. The previous study on blockage effects on various runner blade thickness, showed its influence on hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics at low flow rate conditions. Therefore, the inter-blade vortex characteristics can be altered with the blockage effects at low flow rate conditions in a Francis hydro-turbine. For investigating the internal flow and unsteady pressure characteristics, three-dimensional steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes calculations are performed. These inter-blade vortices were captured at the leading and trailing edges close to the runner hub. These vortex regions showed flow separation and stagnation flow while blockage effects contributed for decreasing the inter-blade vortex at low flow rate conditions.

scholarly journals CFD Investigation of a High Head Francis Turbine at Speed No-Load Using Advanced URANS Models

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Decaix ◽  
Vlad Hasmatuchi ◽  
Maximilian Titzschkau ◽  
Cécile Münch-Alligné
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Hydraulic Turbine ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Pumped Storage

Due to the integration of new renewable energies, the electrical grid undergoes instabilities. Hydroelectric power plants are key players for grid control thanks to pumped storage power plants. However, this objective requires extending the operating range of the machines and increasing the number of start-up, stand-by, and shut-down procedures, which reduces the lifespan of the machines. CFD based on standard URANS turbulence modeling is currently able to predict accurately the performances of the hydraulic turbines for operating points close to the Best Efficiency Point (BEP). However, far from the BEP, the standard URANS approach is less efficient to capture the dynamics of 3D flows. The current study focuses on a hydraulic turbine, which has been investigated at the BEP and at the Speed-No-Load (SNL) operating conditions. Several “advanced” URANS models such as the Scale-Adaptive Simulation (SAS) SST k - ω and the BSL- EARSM have been considered and compared with the SST k - ω model. The main conclusion of this study is that, at the SNL operating condition, the prediction of the topology and the dynamics of the flow on the suction side of the runner blade channels close to the trailing edge are influenced by the turbulence model.

scholarly journals Analysis of Internal Flow Characteristics of a Startup Pump Turbine at the Lowest Head under No-Load Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1360
Author(s):  
Wei Wang ◽  
Xi Wang ◽  
Zhengwei Wang ◽  
Mabing Ni ◽  
Chunan Yang
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Working Condition ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Small Range ◽  
Pressure Balance ◽  
Pump Turbine

The instability of the no-load working condition of the pump turbine directly affects the grid connection of the unit, and will cause vibration and damage to the components of the unit in severe cases. In this paper, a three-dimensional full flow numerical model including the runner gap and the pressure-balance pipe was established. The method SST k-ω model was used to predict the internal flow characteristics of the pump turbine. The pressure pulsation of the runner under different operating conditions during the no-load process was compared. Because the rotation speed, flow rate, and guide vane opening of the unit change in a small range during the no-load process, the pressure pulsation characteristics of the runner are basically the same. Therefore, a working condition was selected to analyze the transient characteristics of the flow field, and it was found that there was a high-speed ring in the vaneless zone, and a stable channel vortex was generated in the runner flow passage. Analyzing the axial water thrust of each part of the runner, it was found that the axial water thrust of the runner gap was much larger than the axial water thrust of the runner blades, and it changed with time periodically. It was affected by rotor stator interaction. The main frequency was expressed as a multiple of the number of guide vanes, that is, vanes passing frequency, 22fn. During the entire no-load process, the axial water thrust of the runner changed slowly with time and fluctuated slightly.

Numerical Analysis of the Fluid Flow Behavior in the Plain Journal Bearing at Textured and Not Textured Surface

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-59
Author(s):  
Bendaoud Nadia ◽  
Mehala Kadda
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Hydrodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Textured Surface ◽  
Plain Bearing ◽  
Rotating Machines

Hydrodynamic plain bearings are components that provide the guiding in rotation of rotating machines, such as turbines, the reactors. This equipment works under very severe operating conditions. In order to improve the hydrodynamic performance of these rotating machines, the industrialists specialized in the manufacture of hydrodynamic bearings have designed a bearing model with its textured interior surface. The numerical analysis is carried out to study the for both plain bearings types with a textured a non-textured surface thus to see the improvement of the plain bearing hydrodynamic performances, as well as the fluid flow behavior in motion. The analysis is performed by solving the continuity equation of Navier-Stokes, by the finite volume method, using CFD code. The numerical results show that the most important hydrodynamic characteristics such as pressure, minimal film thickness, friction torque, leakage flow, are significant for the textured plain bearing under rotational velocity of 6000rpm and radial load 10000N compared to obtained for a non-textured plain bearing.

Flow Pattern Evolution and Energy Decomposition of Flows at Different Operating Conditions in a Hydrodynamic Torque Converter

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wei ◽  
Mingxing Huang ◽  
Yu Li ◽  
Qingdong Yan
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Structure ◽  
Velocity Vector ◽  
Power Transmission ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Speed Ratio ◽  
Energy Decomposition ◽  
Complex Flow

Power loss and flow blockage in turbomachinery such as hydrodynamic torque converter are usually caused by jet flow, second flow and flow separation. In this paper, the velocity vector and the pressure distribution of the internal flow field in hydrodynamic torque converter were reduced by the method of the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) to find the main flow structures and the energy decomposition in the passages of pump, turbine and stator. In order to find their evolutionary processes and energy decompositions, oil flow visualizations were conducted at different speed ratios from 0 to 0.8, including stall condition and design operating condition. The results showed that the first few modes containing the majority of energy could provide enough accuracy to predict flow behavior and flow structure in flow passages. Especially when the energy percentage of the first mode was majority, its vortex structures could be recognized easily. But the flow patterns of other modes were different from each other and they made the flow more turbulent and complex, which increases the energy loss in the process of power transmission. Besides that, the change of pressure gradient had a direct influence to velocity vector. The results also indicated that the observed fluid pattern of vortex structure became extensive while the influence of secondary flow decreased in the flow passage of pump with the increase of speed ratio. But the situation is just reversed in turbine, that is, the vortex disappeared gradually and the irregular turbulent flow appeared as the increase of speed ratio. In stator, the vortex structure emerged gradually when the speed ratio increased. So the method of snapshots is a very useful way to analyze the complex flow flied in depth and to predict the trend of development.

Coupled Design and Optimization for Runner Blades of a Tubular Turbine Based on the Boundary Vorticity Dynamics Theory

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengchao Li ◽  
Honggang Fan ◽  
Zhengwei Wang ◽  
Naixiang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Static Pressure ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Coupled Model ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Blade Shape ◽  
Vorticity Dynamics

In this paper the Boundary Vorticity Dynamics Theory is applied to optimize the runner blade shape of a bulb tubular turbine, based on a three-dimensional coupled design model. The initial spatial runner blades and guide vanes are designed together with the simultaneous equations solved in the flow domain involving them. Since the wake flow behavior of guide vanes influencing the inflow condition of runner blades is taken account of, compared with that on separate design method, the static pressure distribution obtained on coupled model is improved near the inlet of the blades. Thus the effective head becomes higher and the runner’s efficiency rises. To improve the performance on the design point, the boundary vorticity flux (BVF) on the runner blade surfaces is simulated to analyze its effect to the unit output emphatically. The runner blade shape is modified by changing the prescribed distribution of swirl according to the diagnosed position where the flow behavior is defective. The static pressure on optimized runner blades varies indistinctly, which is difficult to estimate the flow behavior. Nevertheless the BVF distribution indicates that near the hub of the pressure surface the negative effect on the output becomes weak, and negative region near the leading edge reduces obviously in area, which results in the further rise of runner’s efficiency. The result shows that the BVF distribution on blade surfaces can more potently reflect the performance of tubular turbines and provide reliable solution for shape optimization.

scholarly journals Leakage Vortex Progression through a Guide Vane’s Clearance Gap and the Resulting Pressure Fluctuation in a Francis Turbine

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4244
Author(s):  
Nirmal Acharya ◽  
Saroj Gautam ◽  
Sailesh Chitrakar ◽  
Chirag Trivedi ◽  
Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Opening Angle ◽  
Trajectory Data ◽  
Reference Case ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Qualitative Approaches

A clearance gap (CG) between guide vanes (GVs) and facing plates exists at both ends of a Francis turbine and allows the opening angle to be adjusted for varying operating conditions. Leakage flow is induced through this gap due to the pressure difference between the two sides of the guide vanes. While some research works have used qualitative approaches to visualize and predict the strength of a leakage vortex (LV), this paper presents a method for quantifying vortices along a trajectory. In this paper, a prototype high-head Francis runner with specific speed of 85.4 is considered as a reference case. A systematic investigation across both space and time is carried out, i.e., analysis of the spatial temporal progression of LV for three operating conditions. While travelling from the CG to runner leading edge, LV evolution and trajectory data are observed and the values of vorticity and turbulent kinetic energy are calculated for the LV trajectory. Frequency spectrum analyses of pressure oscillations in the vaneless space, runner blade, and draft tube are also performed to observe the peak pressure pulsation and its harmonics. Unsteady fluctuations of the runner output torque are finally studied to identify the patterns and magnitudes of torque oscillations.

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