Study on Internal Flow Characteristics and Abrasive Wear of Pelton Turbine in Sand Laden Water

Abstract

When a Pelton turbine operates in sand laden water, the abrasive wear of its overflow components by high-speed jets is serious. Based on the VOF (volume of fluid) multiphase flow model, the SST (shear stress transfer) k-ω turbulence model, the particle motion Lagrangian model, the generic wear model, and the SIMPLEC (Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations Consistent) algorithm, the liquid–air–solid three-phase flow in the key overflow components of a Pelton turbine were simulated, the abrasive wear was predicted, and the internal sand-water flow characteristics and the abrasive wear of the overflow components were analyzed. The results show that the trailing edge at the root of the runner bucket, the leading face of the bucket near the root, the notch, and the splitter are severely worn. The abrasive wear of the splitter and the notch is more severe than that of the leading face of the bucket. The wear rate from the splitter to the trailing edge increases first and then decreases. The wear pattern of the needle tip is mainly “dotted”, while that of the nozzle opening is “flaky”, and the abrasive wear of the nozzle opening is more severe than that of the needle. The predicted results are consistent with the actual conditions at the site of the power station. This study provides a technical method for the prediction of abrasive wear of the Pelton turbine and a technical basis for the operation and maintenance of the power station.

Design and Study of a Sediment Erosion Test Device for a Single-Flow Channel in the Guide Apparatus of a Reaction Hydraulic Turbine

“…Kenichi et al [28] explored the effects of the attack angle and a material's hardness on wear through jet wear tests on a range of materials and coatings. By using the Euler-Lagrange method, Liu [29] and Huang [30] studied the sediment wear mechanism of the flow parts of the impact turbine and found that the sediment speed caused severe wear and erosion on the jet mechanism and the bottom of the bucket blade of the impact turbine from the perspective of sediment concentration and the operating conditions. At the same time, Deng [31] found that the jetting needle of the impact turbine was offset after wear, causing the jet water to be unable to uniformly shoot into the bucket, resulting in unbalanced radial and axial forces on the impact turbine runner, and the unit stability decreased.…”