We perform a numerical analysis of the decelerated swirling flow into the discharge cone of a model Francis turbine operated at variable discharge and constant head, using an axisymmetric turbulent swirling flow model and a corresponding simplified computational domain. Inlet boundary conditions correspond to velocity and turbulent kinetic energy profiles measured downstream the Francis runner. Our numerical results are validated against experimental data on a survey section further downstream in the cone, showing that the Reynolds stress turbulence model with a quadratic pressure-strain term correctly captures the flow field. It is shown that the diffuser performance quickly deteriorates as the turbine discharge decreases, due to the occurrence and development of vortex breakdown, with a central quasistagnant region. We investigate a novel flow control technique, which uses a water jet injected from the runner crown tip along the axis. It is shown that the jet discharge can be optimized for minimum overall losses, while the vortex breakdown is eliminated. This flow control method is useful for mitigating the Francis turbine flow instabilities when operating at partial discharge.
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e-mail: resiga@mh.mec.upt.ro
e-mail: seby@acad-tim.tm.edu.ro
e-mail: vlad.hasmatuchi@epfl.ch
e-mail: anton@acad-tim.tm.edu.ro
e-mail: francois.avellan@epfl.ch
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Analysis and Prevention of Vortex Breakdown in the Simplified Discharge Cone of a Francis Turbine
Romeo Susan-Resiga,
Romeo Susan-Resiga
Professor
Department of Hydraulic Machinery,
e-mail: resiga@mh.mec.upt.ro
“Politehnica” University of Timisoara
, Bvd. Mihai Viteazu 1, RO-300222 Timisoara, Romania
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Sebastian Muntean,
Sebastian Muntean
Senior Researcher
Center for Advanced Research in Engineering Science,
e-mail: seby@acad-tim.tm.edu.ro
Romanian Academy–Timisoara Branch
, Bvd. Mihai Viteazu 24, RO-300223 Timisoara, Romania
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Vlad Hasmatuchi,
Vlad Hasmatuchi
Doctoral Assistant
Laboratory for Hydraulic Machines,
e-mail: vlad.hasmatuchi@epfl.ch
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
, Avenue de Cour 33Bis, CH-1007 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Ioan Anton,
Ioan Anton
Professor
Department of Hydraulic Machinery,
e-mail: anton@acad-tim.tm.edu.ro
“Politehnica” University of Timisoara
, Bvd. Mihai Viteazu 1, RO-300222 Timisoara, Romania
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François Avellan
François Avellan
Professor
Laboratory for Hydraulic Machines,
e-mail: francois.avellan@epfl.ch
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
, Avenue de Cour 33Bis, CH-1007 Lausanne, Switzerland
Search for other works by this author on:
Romeo Susan-Resiga
Professor
Department of Hydraulic Machinery,
“Politehnica” University of Timisoara
, Bvd. Mihai Viteazu 1, RO-300222 Timisoara, Romaniae-mail: resiga@mh.mec.upt.ro
Sebastian Muntean
Senior Researcher
Center for Advanced Research in Engineering Science,
Romanian Academy–Timisoara Branch
, Bvd. Mihai Viteazu 24, RO-300223 Timisoara, Romaniae-mail: seby@acad-tim.tm.edu.ro
Vlad Hasmatuchi
Doctoral Assistant
Laboratory for Hydraulic Machines,
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
, Avenue de Cour 33Bis, CH-1007 Lausanne, Switzerlande-mail: vlad.hasmatuchi@epfl.ch
Ioan Anton
Professor
Department of Hydraulic Machinery,
“Politehnica” University of Timisoara
, Bvd. Mihai Viteazu 1, RO-300222 Timisoara, Romaniae-mail: anton@acad-tim.tm.edu.ro
François Avellan
Professor
Laboratory for Hydraulic Machines,
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
, Avenue de Cour 33Bis, CH-1007 Lausanne, Switzerlande-mail: francois.avellan@epfl.ch
J. Fluids Eng. May 2010, 132(5): 051102 (15 pages)
Published Online: April 27, 2010
Article history
Received:
January 14, 2007
Revised:
March 15, 2010
Online:
April 27, 2010
Published:
April 27, 2010
Citation
Susan-Resiga, R., Muntean, S., Hasmatuchi, V., Anton, I., and Avellan, F. (April 27, 2010). "Analysis and Prevention of Vortex Breakdown in the Simplified Discharge Cone of a Francis Turbine." ASME. J. Fluids Eng. May 2010; 132(5): 051102. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4001486
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