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Suppression of unsteady swirl flow in the draft tube of a Francis hydro turbine model using J-Groove

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Abstract

The pressure fluctuations of the turbines are caused by the swirl component in the draft tube, which is an undesired phenomenon that needs to be improved when the turbine operates in the off-design condition. In order to avoid these kinds of unsteady flow phenomena, a technology of J-Groove on the draft tube wall is investigated by numerical method. The validation test of performance is conducted to compare the result of numerical and experimental methods. The steady and unsteady state analyses are conducted to investigate the internal flow of a Francis hydro turbine model draft tube with and without J-Groove. The swirl flow in the draft tube is significantly suppressed by the J-Groove installation. Moreover, according to the unsteady state analysis, the amplitude of pressure fluctuation in the draft tube is reduced effectively by the J-Groove.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mokpo National University, Mokpo, 58554, Korea

    Zhenmu Chen & Patrick Mark Singh

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of New and Renewable Energy Technology Research, Mokpo National University, Mokpo, 58554, Korea

    Young-Do Choi

Authors
  1. Zhenmu Chen
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  2. Patrick Mark Singh
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  3. Young-Do Choi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Young-Do Choi.

Additional information

Recommended by Associate Editor Weon Gyu Shin

Zhenmu Chen received his M.S. degree from Mokpo National University, Korea. He is currently a doctorate candidate in the Graduate School, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mokpo National University. His research interest includes fluid machinery and new & renewable energy.

Patrick Mark Singh received his M.S. degree from Mokpo National University, Korea. He is currently a doctorate candidate in the Graduate School, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mokpo National University. His research interest includes fluid machinery and new & renewable energy.

Young-Do Choi received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Korea Maritime University, and his Dr. Eng. from Yokohama National University, Japan. Since 2009, he has been a Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering of Mokpo National University, Korea. His research interests include fluid machinery and new & renewable energies, such as hydro power, ocean energy and wind power.

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Chen, Z., Singh, P.M. & Choi, YD. Suppression of unsteady swirl flow in the draft tube of a Francis hydro turbine model using J-Groove. J Mech Sci Technol 31, 5813–5820 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-1123-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-017-1123-z

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