No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence and multiphase Volume of Fluid (VOF) model are employed to predict the spatial and temporal characteristics of the turbulent flow structures near micro-hydrokinetic turbine operating in the proximity of a free surface. The turbine power performance and the free surface dynamics, and its interaction with the turbine are characterized by examining the results of both single-phase and multiphase flow simulations. Simulations are conducted at the turbine’s best efficiency point at a tip speed ratio of 1.86 with the rotation rate of 150 rpm and the free stream water velocity of 2.25 m/s. The multiphase flow simulation is carried out at Froude number of 1.06. The results indicate slight interaction between the deformed free surface and the turbine wake structures. Acceleration in the flow velocity is observed near the free surface due to the physical confinement. The results indicate that turbine power generation is reduced by about 2.0%, and the thrust coefficient is reduced by 1.60%. It is demonstrated that the turbine performance at this Froude number is hardly influenced by the presence of the free surface.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations are carried out to characterize the spatial and temporal characteristics of the velocity and pressure field of turbulent flows through a pumpturbine unit operating with the turbine mode. The high-fidelity large eddy simulations turbulence model is utilized to examine the flow-induced vibrations in the draft tube of the unit. The water injection from the runner cone is considered as the control strategy to mitigate the flow-induced fluctuations. The simulations are conducted for the turbine flow rate of 0.2 m3/s without and with the water injection at a rate of 0.008 m3/s. The pressure along the surface of the draft tube is probed at various locations to access the effectiveness of the water injection to mitigate fluctuations. Water injection at 4% rate is demonstrated to be effective in attenuating the pressure fluctuation inside the draft tube. The amplitude of fluctuations is reduced by nearly 50% by the water injection. The generated power is hardly influenced by water injection. Thus, the control strategy considered here could be employed effectively without a penalty on the power generation.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations are conducted to characterize the spatial and temporal characteristics of the turbulent flow fields inside Francis turbine operating at the design and partial load regimes. High-fidelity large eddy simulations turbulence model is applied to investigate the flow-induced vibrations in the draft tube of the unit. The water injection at 4% rate from the runner cone is implemented to control the flow-induced pressure fluctuations. The simulations are conducted at the turbine design point and two partial load operations with and without water injection. It has been demonstrated that the water injection has a profound influence in the turbulent flow structure and the pressure field inside the draft tube at the partial load operating conditions. To evaluate the effectiveness of the water injection techniques in mitigating flow-induced fluctuations, the probes at various locations along the wall of the draft tube are used to monitor the pressure signals. It appears to be a reduction in the level of pressure fluctuations by the water injection at both partial load operating regimes. However, we could not draw a firm conclusion about the level of mitigation of flow-induced vibrations. Simulations should be carried out for much longer flow time. Water injection hardly influenced the unit power generation. Hence water injection can be employed effectively without a major liability on the power generation.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed on Francis turbine using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) with k-ω SST turbulence model. Simulations were conducted at the turbine’s best efficiency point with a Reynolds number of 2.01 × 107. Water injection was admitted from the runner cone in the stream-wise direction. The aim of this process was to investigate the influence of water injection on the turbine performance and the pressure pulsation. The water injection did not affect the nominal value of the turbine’s power generation. Straight vortex rope was observed at the centerline of the draft tube. Moreover, helix-shaped vortex ropes were obtained near the draft tube surface. The water injection expands the central vortex rope, but it did not suppress or disrupt the helix-shaped peripheral vortex rope near the draft tube surface. The pressure fluctuation became less regular after the water injection, but the fluctuation level remained similar.

No abstract