In this study, a comparison of two different Kaplan turbine runners with differently shaped turbine blades was performed. The two turbines differed in the selection of the hydrofoil, the main hydrofoil parameters of which had been modified including, the position of maximum thickness and curvature and the inlet edge radius. Both turbines (unmodified and modified hydrofoils) were tested on a rig designed for low pressure model turbine acceptance tests. The effect of blade shape on cavitation inception, development, and intensity was demonstrated using computer aided visualization. Visualization was performed on the suction side of Kaplan runner blade where the shape of the blade determines cavitation inception and development. The modified Kaplan turbine reduced the cavitation phenomena, and as a result, both turbine performance and output increased for the selected operating points. This demonstrates that choosing the right turbine blade shape is key for optimal turbine performance.

Issue Section:
Flows in Complex Systems
Topics:
Blades, Cavitation, Kaplan turbines, Turbines

References

References
1.
Brandi
,
R. B. S.
,
Ramos
,
T. P.
,
David
,
P. A. M. S.
,
Dias
,
B. H.
,
da Silva Junior
,
I. C.
, and
Marcato
,
A. L. M.
,
2016
, “
Maximizing Hydro Share in Peak Demand of Power Systems Long-Term Operation Planning
,”
Electr. Power Syst. Res.
,
41
, pp.
264
–
271
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
Egre
,
D.
, and
Milewski
,
J. C.
,
2002
, “
The Diversity of Hydropower Projects
,”
Energy Policy
,
30
(
14
), pp.
1225
–
1230
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
3.
Bajcar
,
T.
,
Širok
,
B.
, and
Eberlinc
,
M.
,
2009
, “
Quantification of Flow Kinematics Using Computer-Aided Visualization
,”
Strojniški vestnik—J. Mech. Eng.
,
55
(
4
), pp.
215
–
223
.https://www.sv-jme.eu/?ns_articles_pdf=/ns_articles/files/ojs3/1567/submission/1567-1-1907-1-2-20171103.pdf&id=4935
4.
Rus
,
T.
,
Dular
,
M.
,
Širok
,
B.
,
Hočevar
,
M.
, and
Kern
,
I.
,
2007
, “
An Investigation of the Relationship Between Acoustic Emission, Vibration, Noise and Cavitation Structures on a Kaplan Turbine
,”
ASME J. Fluids Eng.
,
129
(
9
), pp.
1112
–
1122
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
5.
Cenčič
,
T.
,
Hočevar
,
M.
, and
Širok
,
B.
,
2014
, “
Study of Erosive Cavitation Detection in Pump Mode of Pump-Storage Hydropower Plant Prototype
,”
ASME J. Fluids Eng.
,
136
(
5
), p.
051301
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
6.
Širok
,
B.
,
Dular
,
M.
, and
Stoffel
,
B.
,
2006
,
Kavitacija
, Vol.
1
, Fakulteta za strojništvo, Slovenia.
7.
Eichler
,
O.
, and
Jaeger
,
E. U.
,
1979
, “
The Assessment of the Cavitation Behavior of Kaplan Turbines on the Basis of a Comparison Between Model Tests and Field Experience
,”
Voith Res. Constr.
,
25
(e), p.
4
.
8.
De Lucia
,
M.
, and
Anguzza
,
G.
,
1994
, “
Visualization and Image Processing to Study the Cavitation Process in Hydraulic Turbomachinery
,”
Modelling, Testing and Monitoring for Hydro Powerplants Conference Papers
, Budapest, Hungary, July 11–13, pp.
383
–
389
.
9.
Stefanović
,
Z.
,
2005
,
Aeroprofili
,
Mašinski fakultet
,
Beograd, Serbia
.
10.
Riegels
,
W.
,
1958
,
Aerodynamische Profile
,
Oldenbourg
,
München, Germany
.
11.
Kuethe
,
A. M.
, and
Schetzer
,
J. D.
,
1959
,
Foundations of Aerodynamics
,
2nd ed.
,
Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Wiley
, New York.
12.
Avellan
,
F.
,
2004
, “
Introduction to Cavitation in Hydraulic Machinery
,”
Sixth International Conference on Hydraulic Machinery and Hydrodynamics
, Timisoara, Romania, Oct. 21–22, pp. 11–22.
13.
IEC
,
1999
, “Hydraulic Turbines, Storage Pumps and Pump-Turbines—Model Acceptance Tests,”
2nd ed.
,
International Electrotechnical Commission
, International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva, Switzerland,, Standard No. IEC 60193:1999.
14.
Kercan
,
V.
,
Djelić
,
V.
,
Vujanič
,
V.
,
Rus
,
T.
, and
Peršin
Z.
,
2010
, “
Measurement Methods and Equipment on Turbine Test Rigs
,” Turboinštitut, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Report No. 2646e.
15.
Kercan
,
V.
,
Djelić
,
V.
,
Vujanič
,
V.
,
Rus
,
T.
, and
Peršin
Z.
,
2010
, “
Low Pressure Turbine Test Rig
,” Turboinštitut, Ljubljana, Slovenia, Report No. 2299e.
16.
Chanson
,
H.
,
2013
, “
Advective Diffusion of Air Bubbles in Turbulent Water Flows
,”
Fluid Mechanics of Environmental Interfaces
,
2nd ed.
,
C.
Gualtieri
, and
D. T.
Mihailovic
, eds.,
Taylor and Francis
,
Leiden, The Netherlands
, pp.
181
–
219
.
17.
Širok
,
B.
,
Potočar
,
E.
, and
Novak
,
M.
,
2000
, “
Analiza Kinematike Toka za Utripajočim Profilom Spremenljive Geometrijske Oblike z Uporabo Računalniške Vizualizacije
,”
Strojniški Vestnik
,
46
, pp.
330
–
341
.https://www.sv-jme.eu/?ns_articles_pdf=/ns_articles/files/ojs3/851/submission/851-1-2346-1-2-20171103.pdf&id=4249
18.
Brennen
,
C. E.
,
1994
,
Cavitation and Bubble Dynamics
,
Oxford University Press
,
New York
.
Copyright © 2019 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.