Abstract
This study focuses on the development of a Francis turbine capable of operating throughout the year in a hydroelectric power station where the river’s flow varies significantly with the seasons. Unlike conventional equipment that has required the replacement of turbine blades and draft tubes seasonally, our goal was to design a turbine, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), that could operate efficiently year-round. The result was the design of a turbine with a novel meridional profile, eliminating the need for seasonal adjustments as mentioned. Performance evaluation and validation of CFD were conducted using model turbine test apparatus. Comparison of model test results and CFD analyses confirmed the validity of the computational predictions of the turbine’s performance. Under part-load conditions, significant losses in the draft tube are caused due to separated flows from the turbine exit. However, optimization of the turbine design successfully reduced flow separation at runner vane’s trailing edges, minimizing losses in the draft tube. In conclusion, these optimizations, making difference such as the non-dimensional meridional velocity and total pressure loss, enables efficient year-round operation of the turbine.
