Identification of the wave speed and the second viscosity of cavitation flows with 2D RANS computations - Part I

1D hydro-electric models are useful to predict dynamic behaviour of hydro-power plants. Regarding vortex rope and cavitation surge in Francis turbines, the 1D models require some inputs that can be provided by numerical simulations. In this paper, a 2D cavitating Venturi is considered. URANS computations are performed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of the cavitation sheet depending on the frequency variation of the outlet pressure. The results are used to calibrate and to assess the reliability of the 1D models

Francis turbine draft tube modelling for prediction of pressure fluctuations on prototype

The prediction of pressure fluctuations amplitudes on Francis turbine prototype is a challenge for hydro-equipment industry since it is subjected to guarantees to ensure smooth and reliable operation of the hydro units. The European FP7 research project Hyperbole aims to setup a methodology to transpose the pressure fluctuations measured on the reduced scale model to the prototype generating units. This paper presents this methodology which relies on an advanced modelling of the draft tube cavitation flow, and focuses on the transposition to the prototype of the draft tube model parameters identified on the reduced scale model. Different modelling assumptions of the draft tube are considered and their influence on the eigenmodes and the forced response of the system are presented

Identification of the wave speed and the second viscosity in cavitating flow with 2D RANS computations - Part II

The 1D modelling of cavitation vortex rope dynamics in Francis turbine draft tube is decisive for prediction of pressure fluctuations in the system. However, models are defined with parameters which values must be quantified either experimentally or numerically. In this paper a methodology based on CFD simulations is setup to identify these parameters by exciting the flow through outlet boundary condition. A simplified test case is considered to assess if 1D cavitation model parameters can be identified from CFD simulations. It is shown that a low wave speed and a second viscosity due to the cavitating flow can be identified

A fully modular tool for small-signal stability analysis of hydroelectric systems

In electrical systems, the small-signal stability analysis method is usually applied to synchronous machines by using the Park representation (d, q-components). This paper presents the generalization of a different approach for this method, based on a, b, c phase variables. This approach is essential to software systems using phase variables as state variables and its generalization yields a small-signal stability analysis tool which is fully modular. Two test cases are presented to showcase the application of this approach to elements such as synchronous machines, automatic voltage regulator (AVR), power system stabilizer of type IEEE PSS2B, penstock, Francis turbine and speed regulator