Acoustic Emission Tests in the Monitoring of Cavitation Erosion in Hydraulic Turbines

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Tulio C. Faria ◽  
Fernando R. Queiroz ◽  
Eduardo B. Medeiros ◽  
Carlos B. Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Emission ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Cavitation Erosion ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Small Surface ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Small Defect ◽  
Turbine Runner ◽  
Hydraulic Turbines

This work presents an experimental study about the application of acoustic emission (AE) techniques in the monitoring of cavitation erosion mass loss in small Francis turbines. A vertical Francis turbine test bench is specially devised to perform some experiments designed to evaluate the influence of small surface mass losses on turbine blades in the acoustic emission signals. An AE wideband transducer is employed in the test bench instrumentation system. In order to evaluate the AE levels associated with the turbine erosion stages, a small defect is introduced into the turbine runner. This defect is intended to simulate a small mass loss in the turbine runner. The measurements of the AE signals are performed in the Turbine Francis model at two situations: 1) turbine without defect, which means that the runner blades are free of apparent geometric imperfections; 2) turbine with defect, which is represented by a small hole drilled into a runner blade. The AE transducer is installed on the turbine draft tube and the AE measurements are performed at several operating conditions. The preliminary results obtained for the AE amplitude in this investigation show that the small defect introduced into a runner blade causes variations in the AE levels measured in the experiments, confirming that there is a large potential for the application of AE monitoring techniques in the accurate evaluation of cavitation wear on hydraulic turbines in field.

Analysis of Inner Flow Inside Francis Turbine Runner Based on Dissipation Function

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojing Wu ◽  
Yulin Wu ◽  
Shuhong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Flow Simulation ◽  
Dissipation Function ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Surface Strain ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
Flow Energy ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Turbine Runner

Energy loss inside a Francis turbine runner is analyzed with dissipation function in this paper. The dissipation rate of a Newtonian flow with constant shear viscous has three constituents from dilation, vorticity, and surface strain, which is derived from kinetic energy equation presented in this paper. A commercial N-S equation solver has been employed for 3D turbulent flow simulation with a model Francis turbine, and three different operating conditions are chosen for comparison, which are part load, rated load, and excessive load. The results from simulation have been compared with model experiments to validate their preciseness and reliability. The distribution of dissipation constituents on runner blade surface have been extracted from the above simulation results. The distinction of these constituents can be used to identify flow structures inside runner. The flow energy loss is determined by dissipation function, thus it can affect the hydraulic efficiency of turbine runner. From the above results, it can be seen that what causes the energy loss, which is the dominant factor, and where it has the highest value. Thus this analysis based on dissipation function can be used for flow diagnosis inside the blade channel, and tell us which part of the blade should be improved to reduce the energy loss.

CFD-Based Energy Improvement of a Parametric Blade Model for a Francis Turbine Runner

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose´ Manuel Franco-Nava ◽  
Erik Rosado-Tamariz ◽  
Jose´ Manuel Ferna´ndez-Da´vila ◽  
Reynaldo Rangel-Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Reference Model ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Optimization Process ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Turbine Runner ◽  
Blade Model

The computational fluid dynamic (CFD) based energy improvement of the parametric blade model for a Francis turbine runner is presented. The evaluation of the energy improved uses the results of CFD based optimization of a hydraulic Francis turbine runner. The parametric runner model used by the CFD based optimization process was obtained by applying a parametric blade modeller for turbomachinery based on a geometric reference model. This parametric runner model and the optimization process were computed by using a three dimensional Navier-Stoke commercial turbomachinery oriented CFD code. The flow within hydraulic turbines has a thin boundary layer and noticeable pressure gradients. Hence, the CFD computations were carried out using the Sparlat-Allmaras turbulence model. The aim of the optimization process was improve the performance of the machine. This process was computed by a CFD code integrated environment which combines genetic algorithms and a trained artificial neural network. After optimization cycle convergence, an increment not only in efficiency but also in power was obtained. The energy that is transferred to the runner blade and transformed in torque and power was obtained by using CFD results. From pressure distribution along the normalized arc length of the runner blade for three operating conditions (100%, 85% and, 75% of load) the energy distribution was computed not only for the reference runner but also for the optimized parametric model of the turbine runner. Finally, the averaged energy saved for the same operating conditions was evaluated. Results have shown that application of CFD based optimization can modify and improve runners design so as to increase the efficiency and power of installed hydraulic power stations.

scholarly journals An Indirect Measurement Methodology to Identify Load Fluctuations on Axial Turbine Runner Blades

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 7220
Author(s):  
Arash Soltani Dehkharqani ◽  
Fredrik Engström ◽  
Jan-Olov Aidanpää ◽  
Michel J. Cervantes
Keyword(s):  
Guide Vane ◽  
Hydraulic Turbine ◽  
Indirect Measurement ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Experimental Methodology ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Kaplan Turbine ◽  
Turbine Runner

Smooth integration of intermittent energy sources, such as solar and wind power, into the electrical grid induces new operating conditions of the hydraulic turbine by increasing the off-design operations, start/stops, and load variations. Therefore, hydraulic turbines are subject to unstable flow conditions and unfavorable load fluctuations. Predicting load fluctuations on the runner using indirect measurements can allow for optimized operations of the turbine units, increase turbine refurbishment time intervals, and avoid structural failures in extreme cases. This paper investigates an experimental methodology to assess and predict the flow condition and load fluctuations on a Kaplan turbine runner at several steady-state operations by performing measurements on the shaft in the rotating and stationary frame of references. This unit is instrumented with several transducers such as miniature pressure transducers, strain gages, and proximity probes. The results show that for any propeller curve of a Kaplan turbine, the guide vane opening corresponding to the minimum pressure and strain fluctuations on the runner blade can be obtained by axial, torsion, and bending measurements on the shaft. Torsion measurements on the shaft could support index-testing in Kaplan turbines particularly for updating the cam-curve during the unit operation. Furthermore, a signature of every phenomenon observed on the runner blade signals, e.g., runner frequency, rotating vortex rope components, and rotor-stator interaction, is found in the data obtained from the shaft.

scholarly journals Influence of Air Dissolved in Hydraulic Oil on Cavitation Erosion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Osterland ◽  
Lutz Müller ◽  
Jürgen Weber
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Cavitation Erosion ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Experimental Fact ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Hydraulic Oil ◽  
Air Content ◽  
Free Air ◽  
Flow Geometry ◽  
Power Densities

This article gives experimentally evidence that cavitation erosion in hydraulic components like valves and pumps is caused by vapour cavitation not gas or pseudo cavitation. In fact, the free air content which is released by vapour and gas cavitation reduces the erosion significantly. In order to clearly separate the different cavitation types, a test rig with a specially designed reservoir with integrated degassing capability is presented. As flow geometry a valve model with realistic dimensions and under realistic operating conditions was used, which ensures very high transferability of the results to the reality of hydraulic components in practical applications and typical operating conditions. A total of 4 five-hour long tests are performed and analysed. The quantification of the cavitation erosion is determined by the mass loss of the copper samples. The experimental results show a 4.4–5.1 times higher mass loss in tests with air-free oil compared to tests with air-saturated or oversaturated hydraulic oil. The experimental fact that air-free hydraulic oil causes significantly more cavitation erosion than normal (saturated) hydraulic oil, and its implications are discussed. The conclusion can be drawn, that further developments of hydraulic components and systems towards the use of air-free oil or increasing power densities will be disproportionately challenged by cavitation erosion.

Investigations of Road Wear Caused by Studded Tires

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-15
Author(s):  
Johannes Gültlinger ◽  
Frank Gauterin ◽  
Christian Brandau ◽  
Jan Schlittenhard ◽  
Burkhard Wies
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
The Road ◽  
Driving Speed ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Tire Friction ◽  
Variable Operating Conditions

ABSTRACT The use of studded tires has been a subject of controversy from the time they came into market. While studded tires contribute to traffic safety under severe winter conditions by increasing tire friction on icy roads, they also cause damage to the road surface when running on bare roads. Consequently, one of the main challenges in studded tire development is to reduce road wear while still ensuring a good grip on ice. Therefore, a research project was initiated to gain understanding about the mechanisms and influencing parameters involved in road wear by studded tires. A test method using the institute's internal drum test bench was developed. Furthermore, mechanisms causing road wear by studded tires were derived from basic analytical models. These mechanisms were used to identify the main parameters influencing road wear by studded tires. Using experimental results obtained with the test method developed, the expected influences were verified. Vehicle driving speed and stud mass were found to be major factors influencing road wear. This can be explained by the stud impact as a dominant mechanism. By means of the test method presented, quantified and comparable data for road wear caused by studded tires under controllable conditions can be obtained. The mechanisms allow predicting the influence of tire construction and variable operating conditions on road wear.

The Strength Analysis of Francis Turbine Runner Based on the Fluid-Solid Coupling

2014 ◽  
Vol 709 ◽  
pp. 41-45
Author(s):  
Kan Kan ◽  
Yuan Zheng ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Bin Sun ◽  
Hui Wen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Water Pressure ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Static Stress ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Strength Analysis ◽  
Maximum Deformation ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Turbine Runner

This paper does unidirectional fluid-solid coupling calculation on the runner strength under three designed head loading conditions of a certain Francis turbine in the north-eastern China. The water pressure on the blade in the flow fields of different operating conditions is calculated by means of CFD software CFX. With the help of ansys workbench, the water pressure is loaded to the blade as structural load to conclude the static stress distribution and deformation of the runner under different operating conditions. The results show that the maximum static stress increases with the rise of the flow and appears near the influent side of the blade connected to the runner crown; the maximum deformation increases with the rise of the flow and appears on the band. The results provides effective basis for the structural design and safe operation of the Francis turbine.

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 Modeling and controller design for an experimental test bench for aircraft actuators

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 168781401881536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Zhou ◽  
Xiaogang Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Test ◽  
Test Bench ◽  
Controller Design ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Control Performance ◽  
Proportional Integral Derivative ◽  
Hydraulic Actuator ◽  
Aerodynamic Forces ◽  
Ground Testing ◽  
Experimental Test Bench

The reliable and repeatable experimental ground testing of aircraft actuator is an essential phase before flight testing. It is not an easy task to simulate the alternating aerodynamic forces on actuators reasonably and accurately in a laboratory. In this article, an experimental test bench is designed to simulate the aerodynamic forces by a hydraulic actuator, which replicates the operating conditions that the actuator will encounter in service. In order to improve the force control performance, a feed-forward compensator and a fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative controller are designed. Both simulation and experimental results show that the designed method can improve the control performance.

Geometric Modeling of a Propeller Turbine Runner Using ANSYS BladeGen, Meshing Using ANSYS TurboGrid and Fluid Dynamic Simulation Using ANSYS Fluent

2016 ◽  
Vol 842 ◽  
pp. 164-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indra Djodikusumo ◽  
I. Nengah Diasta ◽  
Iwan Sanjaya Awaluddin
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Modeling ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Ansys Fluent ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Modeling Process ◽  
Turbine Runner ◽  
Preparation Phase

This paper aims to demonstrate how to model, mesh and simulate a hydraulic propeller turbine runner based on the geometrical specification of the runner blade. Modeling process is divided into preparation and implementation phase. Preparation phase illustrates how to develop stream surfaces and passages, how to create and transform meanline and how to create an rtzt file. The profile in rtzt file has a certain fix thickness which has to be altered later. Implementation phase describes operations necessary in creating a propeller runner model in ANSYS BladeGen which consist of importing rtzt file, modifying the trailing edge properties and altering profile thickness distribution to that of 4 digits NACA airfoil standard. Grid is generated in ANSYS TurboGrid utilizing ATM Optimized topology. CFD simulation is done using the ANSYS Fluent with pressure inlet and pressure outlet boundary conditions and k-ε turbulence model. Hydraulic efficiency of the runner is calculated utilizing Turbo Topology module in ANSYS Fluent. The authors will share the advantages that may be obtained by using ANSYS BladeGen compared with the use of general CAD Systems.

Comparison of Different Methods for the Evaluation of Cavitation Damaged Surfaces

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Bachert ◽  
G. Ludwig ◽  
B. Stoffel ◽  
S. Baumgarten
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
White Light ◽  
Cavitation Erosion ◽  
Evaluation Method ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Special Device ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Rotating Disc ◽  
White Light Interferometer ◽  
Initial Stage

The experimental data which will be presented in this paper are the results of the comparison between different methods for evaluating damaged surfaces by cavitation erosion. The different methods are partly working in the initial stage of cavitation erosion and partly at developed cavitation erosion, where mass loss occurs. The used test rig consists basically of a rotating disc with a diameter of 500 mm on which four holes are located. Each hole generates a cavitation zone while the disc is rotating. The test objects are material specimens made of copper. Copper was used as test material in respect to reasonable durations for the tests. The specimen can be implemented in the casing of the test rig directly across the rotating disc on the diameter where the holes are located. This rotating disc test rig generates a very aggressive type of cavitation, so that mass loss, of course depending on the tested material, will appear after relatively short durations. Also the initial stage of cavitation erosion can be observed. The used test rig is very interesting regarding the possibility to apply different measuring techniques to characterize the erosive aggressiveness of cavitation. These techniques are at first the so-called Pitcount-Method, which allows investigations of cavitation erosion in the initial stage. The second one is an acoustic method, which is based on a structure-borne noise sensor and a specially developed signal processing system. The third method is the measuring of mass loss of the material specimen after several time steps. With the help of a CCD-camera and special digital image processing software, images of different cavitation conditions were recorded. The information obtained from these images should serve as support for the evaluation of the other used methods. After the evaluation with the above mentioned methods, the specimens were evaluated with a special device which works with the help of a white light interferometer. With this evaluation method three-dimensional information can be obtained in respect to the actually eroded volume of the specimens. With this information the lost mass of the specimens could be calculated directly. Especially the comparison of the results obtained from the Pitcount-Method, which is a two-dimensional evaluation method, and the three-dimensional results of the white light interferometer is an important point of the work within this paper.

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