Open AccessMOC-CFD coupled model of load rejection in hydropower station
Author(s) -
Sharon Mandair,
Jean-François Morissette,
Robert Magnan,
Bryan Karney
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. earth and environmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.179
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1755-1307
pISSN - 1755-1315
DOI - 10.1088/1755-1315/774/1/012021
Subject(s) - penstock , draft tube , load rejection , turbine , computational fluid dynamics , torque , vortex , francis turbine , mechanics , flow (mathematics) , marine engineering , casing , hydropower , engineering , water hammer , solver , simulation , structural engineering , mechanical engineering , computer science , physics , electrical engineering , thermodynamics , programming language
A modelling study investigates the consequences of transient flow conditions due to a turbine load rejection. The case study considers a large hydropower station with a long penstock. A three-dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is used to represent the spiral casing, guide vanes, runner, and draft tube. A one-dimensional (1D) Method of Characteristics (MOC) solver simulates water hammer in the penstock. The two models are coupled, to simulate a full load rejection. The results are compared with reference to field measurements and a pure 1D solver, combining the penstock and a turbine model based on machine and conveyance characteristics. A comparison of the high level data (head, flow, torque and rotational speed) reveals the two models reproduce the field data reasonably well. The exception being rotational speed toward the zero torque region, where both models underestimate speed. The model predicts high cycle pressure fluctuations on the turbine blade, which would produce serious mechanical loading. The source of the fluctuations is determined to be unstable vortices within the runner.