Applications of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques to hydropower have increased rapidly in the last three decades. The majority of the experimental investigations of hydraulic turbines were supported by numerical studies and this has become a standard practice. In the paper, applied numerical techniques and flow modeling approaches to simulate the hydraulic turbines are discussed. Both steady-state and transient operating conditions of the turbines are considered for the review. The steady-state conditions include the best efficiency point (BEP), high load (HL), and part load (PL). The transient conditions include load variation, startup, shutdown, and total load rejection. The performance of the applied numerical models and turbulence modeling with respect to the operating conditions are discussed. The recently developed numerical technique (transient blade row modeling) using the Fourier transformation (FT) method is discussed. This technique allows guide vane and blade passages to be modeled with the pitch ratio other than unity. Numerical modeling and simulation of hydraulic turbines during the transient operating conditions is one of the most challenging tasks because guide vanes' angular movement is time-dependent and mesh should be dynamic/moving. Different approaches applied to simulate the transient conditions and their limitations are discussed. Overall, this review summarizes the role of numerical techniques, advantages, limitations, and upcoming challenges within hydropower.
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January 2016
Review Articles
Numerical Techniques Applied to Hydraulic Turbines: A Perspective Review
Chirag Trivedi,
Chirag Trivedi
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: chirag.trivedi@ntnu.no
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: chirag.trivedi@ntnu.no
Search for other works by this author on:
Michel J. Cervantes,
Michel J. Cervantes
Professor
Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics,
Luleå University of Technology,
Luleå SE-97187, Sweden;
Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics,
Luleå University of Technology,
Luleå SE-97187, Sweden;
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: Michel.Cervantes@ltu.se
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: Michel.Cervantes@ltu.se
Search for other works by this author on:
Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug
Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug
Professor
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: ole.g.dahlhaug@ntnu.no
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: ole.g.dahlhaug@ntnu.no
Search for other works by this author on:
Chirag Trivedi
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: chirag.trivedi@ntnu.no
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: chirag.trivedi@ntnu.no
Michel J. Cervantes
Professor
Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics,
Luleå University of Technology,
Luleå SE-97187, Sweden;
Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics,
Luleå University of Technology,
Luleå SE-97187, Sweden;
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: Michel.Cervantes@ltu.se
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: Michel.Cervantes@ltu.se
Ole Gunnar Dahlhaug
Professor
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: ole.g.dahlhaug@ntnu.no
Department of Energy and Process Engineering,
Norwegian University of
Science and Technology,
Trondheim NO-7491, Norway
e-mail: ole.g.dahlhaug@ntnu.no
1Corresponding author.
Manuscript received April 30, 2015; final manuscript received January 22, 2016; published online February 23, 2016. Assoc. Editor: Gianluca Iaccarino.
Appl. Mech. Rev. Jan 2016, 68(1): 010802 (18 pages)
Published Online: February 23, 2016
Article history
Received:
April 30, 2015
Revised:
January 22, 2016
Citation
Trivedi, C., Cervantes, M. J., and Gunnar Dahlhaug, O. (February 23, 2016). "Numerical Techniques Applied to Hydraulic Turbines: A Perspective Review." ASME. Appl. Mech. Rev. January 2016; 68(1): 010802. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4032681
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