Analyzing Mathematical and Software Methods for Selecting and Designing Francis Turbine in Hydropower Plants

Mohammadi, Moona; Mohammadi, Mohammadreza; Mohammadi, Alireza; Farahat, Said

doi:10.7763/jocet.2016.v4.297

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Consequently, the slight change in the draft tube's height has dramatically affected its response to the injection technique. This finding agrees with the empirical Francis turbine dimension equations [38], where the runner diameter and draft tube height have a direct relationship. Consequently, when the draft tube height is changed in the construction phase, other corresponding parameters, including the runner diameter, must be adjusted; otherwise, serious operational problems can be expected, which can cause increasing operating and maintenance costs, decreasing hydropower efficiency, and significant challenges in using standard troubleshooting techniques.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Comparing Figures 4b and 7, it is evident that the injection technique is only influential in initially designed geometry, not as-built geometry. To further investigate this finding, simulations from a design perspective have compared as-built and initially approved design [36,37] sizes with dimensions obtained from Francis turbine empirical equations [5,38]. Comparing Figures 4b and 7, it is evident that the injection technique is only influential in initially designed geometry, not as-built geometry.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, using Equations ( 14)-( 16), runner diameter and draft tube height (B1 in Figure 6) are calculated as follows [5,38]:…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…H n , n, D 3 , and n s are the design head, runner speed in revolutions per minute, runner diameter, and specific speed, respectively. Therefore, using Equations ( 14)-( 16), runner diameter and draft tube height (B1 in Figure 6) are calculated as follows [5,38]:…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Francis Turbine Draft Tube Troubleshooting during Operational Conditions Using CFD Analysis

Mohammadi,

Hajidavalloo,

Behbahani-Nejad

et al. 2023

Water

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Hydropower plant vibrations due to pressure fluctuations and their troubleshooting methods are some of the most challenging issues in power plant operation and maintenance. This paper targets these fluctuations in a prototype turbine in two geometries: the initially approved design and the as-built design. Due to topographic conditions downstream, these geometries slightly differ in the draft tube height; the potential effect of such a slight geometrical change on the applicability of troubleshooting techniques is investigated. Therefore, the water flow was simulated using the CFD scheme at three operating points based on the SST k–ω turbulence model, while the injection of water/air was examined to decrease the pressure fluctuations in the draft tube, and the outputs were compared with no-injection simulations. The results show that a slight change in draft tube geometry causes the pressure fluctuations to increase 1.2 to 2.8 times after 4 s injecting at different operating points. The modification in the location of the air injection also could not reduce the increase in pressure fluctuations and caused a 3.6-fold increase in pressure fluctuations. Therefore, the results show that despite water/air injection being a common technique in the hydropower industry to reduce pressure fluctuations, it is effective only in the initially approved design geometry. At the same time, it has a reverse effect on the as-built geometry and increases the pressure fluctuations. This research highlights the importance of binding the construction phase with the design and troubleshooting stages and how slight changes in construction can affect operational issues.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, using Equations ( 14)-( 16), runner diameter and draft tube height (B1 in Figure 6) are calculated as follows [5,38]:…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Francis Turbine Draft Tube Troubleshooting during Operational Conditions Using CFD Analysis

Mohammadi,

Hajidavalloo,

Behbahani-Nejad

et al. 2023

Water

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Opportunities and Challenges of introducing Francis Turbine in Nepalese Micro Hydropower Projects

Ghimire

Dahal

Pokharel

et al. 2019

J. Phys.: Conf. Ser.

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Despite the initiation of the master plan, envisioned by the government of Nepal, complete electrification of rural Nepal still seems over ambitious for quite a long time. Thus Micro Hydropower Plants (MHP) can still be very effective for rural electrification. Decades of manufacturing of same type turbines have saturated the turbine manufacturing industries of Nepal, which demands for some new innovations and that could be the introduction of Francis turbine in Nepalese MHP. It’s undeniable that there are umpteen opportunities for the turbine manufacturers to manufacture and install the Francis turbines in Nepalese MHP. The feasibility studies performed by different institutions and the government policy strengthen the claim. In addition to that, data received from, NMHDA and a local turbine manufacturing industry suggest that there are abundant sites suitable for installation of Francis turbine. This paper illustrates the need of introducing the Francis turbine in Nepalese MHP and discusses about the opportunities available for the turbine manufacturers to enter into the market of Francis turbines for micro hydro and subsequently for larger hydropower projects in the near future. The challenges associated with the introduction of Francis turbine in MHP are highlighted.

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Analyzing Mathematical and Software Methods for Selecting and Designing Francis Turbine in Hydropower Plants

Cited by 2 publications

References 3 publications

Francis Turbine Draft Tube Troubleshooting during Operational Conditions Using CFD Analysis

Francis Turbine Draft Tube Troubleshooting during Operational Conditions Using CFD Analysis

Opportunities and Challenges of introducing Francis Turbine in Nepalese Micro Hydropower Projects

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