Numerical Modeling Study for Fish Screen at River Intake Channel

Abstract

A numerical modeling study of hydraulic performances of an angled vertical fish screen at a river diversion intake channel that was developed using a porous media numerical scheme. Flow patterns in the intake channel induced by the fish screen were computed with a three-dimensional fluid dynamics computation program solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Screen flow head loss coefficient were simulated and compared with the physical model values converted from the test measurements for the porous media numerical scheme applicability test. For validation of the numerical model, fish screen velocity ratio profiles of sweeping and approach were compared with physical model measurements. Different types of screen face material and baffle installations for uniform approach flow distributions were simulated. The numerical model shows very good agreement with the velocity ratio measurements, and modeling capability for different screen material types and baffle installations by controlling of the numerical model of the porous opening directions and adjustment of baffle porosities respectively.