Simulation of Flow Through Francis Turbine by Les Method

Abstract

The traditional approach of Francis turbine design which is based on the steady potential flow theory and heavily dependent on model testing and engineering experience, has come a long way in producing efficient and relatively cavitation free turbines. But further improvement of performance for design and off design operating conditions will be extremely difficult with the traditional method because it will depend more on those phenomena such as, boundary layer separation, vortex dynamics, interactions between different components, vibrations, etc., which are not predictable with conventional approach and difficult to measure in physical models.