A computational fluid dynamics-based design system with the integration of three blade design approaches, automatic mesh generator and CFD codes enables a quick and efficient design optimization of turbine components. It is applied to a Francis turbine rehabilitation project with strict customer requirements to provide over 3% increase in peak efficiency, 13% upgrade in power, and improved cavitation characteristics. Extensive turbulent flow simulations are performed for both the existing and new turbines at design and off design conditions. In order to take into account the interactions between different components, particularly the effects between the rotating and stationary parts, coupling calculations based on the implicit coupling method under multiple frames of reference are carried out for the entire turbine model. As a result, the runner and guide vanes are optimized to the greatest extent, and the stay vanes are locally modified with a possible minimum cost under the geometrical constraints of the existing machine. The performance of the new design is verified by model tests, and exceeds required improvements.
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February 2007
Technical Papers
CFD-Based Design Optimization for Hydro Turbines
Jingchun Wu, Ph.D.,
Jingchun Wu, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
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Katsumasa Shimmei,
Katsumasa Shimmei
Department Manager
Hitachi Ltd.
, Akihabara Dairu Building 18-13, Soto-Kanda, 1-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Kiyohito Tani, Ph.D.,
Kiyohito Tani, Ph.D.
Senior Engineer
Hitachi Ltd.
, 3-1-1 Saiwai-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
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Kazuo Niikura,
Kazuo Niikura
Chief Engineer
Hitachi Ltd.
, 3-1-1 Saiwai-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
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Joushirou Sato, Ph.D.
Joushirou Sato, Ph.D.
Independent Consultant
Sato Consultants
, 11-7 Namekawa, Honchou, 3-Chome, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Jingchun Wu, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Katsumasa Shimmei
Department Manager
Hitachi Ltd.
, Akihabara Dairu Building 18-13, Soto-Kanda, 1-Chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Kiyohito Tani, Ph.D.
Senior Engineer
Hitachi Ltd.
, 3-1-1 Saiwai-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
Kazuo Niikura
Chief Engineer
Hitachi Ltd.
, 3-1-1 Saiwai-cho, Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan
Joushirou Sato, Ph.D.
Independent Consultant
Sato Consultants
, 11-7 Namekawa, Honchou, 3-Chome, Hitachi, Ibaraki, JapanJ. Fluids Eng. Feb 2007, 129(2): 159-168 (10 pages)
Published Online: July 6, 2006
Article history
Received:
August 11, 2005
Revised:
July 6, 2006
Citation
Wu, J., Shimmei, K., Tani, K., Niikura, K., and Sato, J. (July 6, 2006). "CFD-Based Design Optimization for Hydro Turbines." ASME. J. Fluids Eng. February 2007; 129(2): 159–168. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2409363
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