Operational Stability of a Hydropower Plant with a Pipe-Shaped Air-Cushion Surge Chamber
Abstract This paper theoretically analyzed the design and operating parameters of a pipe-shaped air-cushion surge chamber (PS-ACSC). A mathematical model for a small load disturbance in a hydropower plant containing the PS-ACSC was established to analyze the effects of the sensitivity of its initial horizontal area and the air-water volume ratio on the operational stability of the plant. The results showed that the PS-ACSC should occupy a critical horizontal area, and its initial water level and the initial air-water volume ratio should be within a certain range to ensure its own stable operation as well as that of the turbine units. The results of a case study showed that a hydropower plant containing the PS-ACSC is most stable when the initial air-water volume ratio ranges from 2.90:1 to 6.68:1. In addition, a hydropower plant containing the PS-ACSC delivers better performance than a horseshoe-shaped air-cushion surge chamber under the same conditions. This study contributes to the design and operational control of hydropower plants containing the PS-ACSC.