Experimental Investigation of a 10 MW Prototype Axial Turbine Runner: Vortex Rope Formation and Mitigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arash Soltani Dehkharqani ◽  
Fredrik Engström ◽  
Jan-Olov Aidanpää ◽  
Michel J. Cervantes
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Vortex Rope ◽  
Load Variations ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Load Variation ◽  
Runner Blade

Abstract The transient load fluctuations on the runner blades of prototype hydraulic turbines during load variations are one of the main causes of fatigue and eventual structural failure. A clear understanding of the dynamic loads on the runner blades is required to detect the source of the fluctuations. In this paper, an experimental investigation of vortex rope formation and mitigation in a prototype Kaplan turbine, namely, Porjus U9, is carried out. Synchronized unsteady pressure and strain measurements were performed on a runner blade during steady-state and load variation under off-cam condition. The normalized pressure fluctuation during load variations remained approximately within ±0.2Pref for all the pressure transducers installed on the blade pressure side and is even slightly lower during the transient cycle. Higher pressure fluctuations were found on the blade suction side, approximately four times higher than that of on the pressure side. The synchronous and asynchronous components of the vortex rope were clearly observed at the low discharge operating point and transient cycles. The spectral analysis of the pressure signals showed that the synchronous component appears before the asynchronous component during the load reduction, and it lasts longer during the load increase. These frequencies slightly change during the load variation. In addition, the results proved that the strain fluctuation component on the runner blade arises from the synchronous component of the vortex rope at low discharge while the asynchronous component influence is negligible.

scholarly journals Experimental investigation of an actively controlled automotive cooling fan using steady air injection in the leakage gap

2017 ◽  
Vol 231 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarik Azzam ◽  
Richard Paridaens ◽  
Florent Ravelet ◽  
Sofiane Khelladi ◽  
Hamid Oualli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Air Injection ◽  
Energy Losses ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Axial Fan ◽  
Cooling Fan ◽  
Leakage Flow Rate

In an axial fan, a leakage flow driven by a pressure gradient between the pressure side and the suction side occurs in the gap between the shroud and the casing. This leakage flow is in the opposite direction to the main flow and is responsible for significant energy dissipation. Therefore, many authors have worked to understand this phenomenon in order to reduce these inherent energy losses. Up to now, most of the studies reported in the literature have been passive solutions. In this paper, an experimental controlling strategy is suggested to reduce the leakage flow rate. To this end, a fan with hollow blades and a specific drive system were designed and built for air injection. Air is injected in the leakage gap at the fan periphery. The experiment was performed for three rotation speeds, five injection rates and two configurations: 16 and 32 injection holes on the fan’s circumference. The experimental results of this investigation are presented in this article.

Spectrum Normalization Method in Vibro-Acoustical Diagnostic Measurements of Hydroturbine Cavitation

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 756-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branko Bajic´ ◽  
Andreas Keller
Keyword(s):  
Efficient Method ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Normalization Method ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Source Strength ◽  
Side Pressure ◽  
Turbine Casing

Full-scale vibro-acoustical diagnostic measurements of cavitation in four Francis 6 MW double runner turbines were performed. Two types of sensors were used—a hydrophone sensing waterborne noise at the pressure side of a runner and an accelerometer mounted at various points at the outer turbine casing, facing the runner’s pressure side. The correlation of noise and acceleration intensity with suction-side pressure fluctuations and runner position was checked. A simple but efficient method of spectrum normalization, which rejects the influence of the measurement set characteristics and vibro-acoustical characteristics of a turbine, was developed. The resulting spectra reveal the dependence of cavitation source strength on the turbine power as a function of noise or acceleration frequency.

Experimental Study of a Bulb Turbine Model During Start-Up and at Speed-No-Load Conditions, Based on the Measurement of Unsteady Pressure

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Coulaud ◽  
Jean Lemay ◽  
Claire Deschenes
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Rotating Stall ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Runner Blade ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Morlet Wavelet Transform ◽  
Bulb Turbine

Abstract Experimental analysis of a bulb turbine during the start-up sequence and in speed-no-load (SNL) operating conditions was performed in a closed-loop circuit. This study focuses on pressure fluctuations across the machine. The turbine was equipped with 26 pressure sensors on one runner blade and 16 in the stationary reference frame. Strain measurements were also performed on two other runner blades. The first section of this analysis focuses on SNL operating conditions using standard Fourier data processing. The results show that three rotating flow phenomena are only present close to the runner. One of them corresponds to the interblade vortex at f/fr=4.00, whereas the two others, which have subsynchronous runner frequencies, are consistent with a possible rotating stall. These phenomena, which exist predominantly on the suction side, have a strong influence on runner blade strain. The second section of the study concentrates on a time-frequency analysis using the Morlet wavelet transform. It reveals that the two subsynchronous flow structures appear at the end of the start-up and exhibit bistable behavior. As well, each of these phenomena acts differently on the blade. These phenomena also interact with the interblade vortex.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Cavitation Signatures in an Automotive Torque Converter Using a Microwave Telemetry Technique

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 403-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Anderson ◽  
L. Zeng ◽  
P. O. Sweger ◽  
A. Narain ◽  
J. R. Blough
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Automatic Transmission ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Differential Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pump Speed ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Charge Pressure ◽  
Transmission Fluid

A unique experimental investigation of cavitation signatures in an automotive torque converter under stall conditions is reported. A quantitative criterion is proposed for predicting early and advanced cavitation in terms of suitable nondimensional pump speeds. The dimensionless pump speed that marks early cavitation is obtained by relating this parameter to the appearance of charge-pressure–dependent pressure fluctuations in the differential pressure transducer readings. The differential pressure transducers were mounted at well-defined locations in the pump passage of a torque converter. The data were transmitted by a wireless telemetry system mounted on the pump housing. Data were received and processed by a ground-based data acquisition system. Automatic transmission fluid exhibited cavitation for charge pressures of 70–130 psi and pump speeds of 1000– 2250 rpm. Advanced cavitation was marked by operating conditions that exhibited a 2% or more torque degradation from the converter's noncavitating performance.For a given family of torque-converter designs and a given transmission fluid, the proposed nondimensional pumpspeed criteria are capable of marking early and advanced stages of cavitation for a range of torque-converter sizes and a range of charge pressures in the torque converter.

Prediction of the Blade Trailing-Edge Noise of an Axial Flow Fan

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Guedel ◽  
Mirela Robitu ◽  
Nicolas Descharmes ◽  
Didier Amor ◽  
Je´rome Guillard
Keyword(s):  
Input Data ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Axial Fan ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Frequency Spectra ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Trailing Edge Noise ◽  
Wall Pressure Fluctuations

The objective of this work is to predict the trailing-edge noise of axial fans with an analytical model deduced from an extension of Amiet’s formulation. The input data of the acoustic model are the frequency spectra and the spanwise correlation length scales of the wall-pressure fluctuations on the blade suction side close to the trailing edge. This model was successfully validated in former studies on single steady airfoils in anechoic wind tunnels and, to a lesser extent, on an axial fan equipped with small unsteady pressure transducers flush mounted on the blade suction side. The present research is carried out on a 6-blade axial fan no longer equipped with embedded pressure transducers. The input data of the prediction are then deduced from non-dimensional spectra and correlation lengths of the pressure fluctuations measured in the previous study and RANS simulations performed on the test fan. A validation of the prediction method is made by comparing the predicted and measured sound power spectra of the fan for two blade pitch angles and different operating points.

scholarly journals Effect of Air Injection on the Internal Flow Characteristics in the Draft Tube of a Francis Turbine Model

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1182
Author(s):  
Seung-Jun Kim ◽  
Yong Cho ◽  
Jin-Hyuk Kim
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Draft Tube ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Air Injection ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Vortex Rope

Under low flow-rate conditions, a Francis turbine exhibits precession of a vortex rope with pressure fluctuations in the draft tube. These undesirable flow phenomena can lead to deterioration of the turbine performance as manifested by torque and power output fluctuations. In order to suppress the rope with precession and a swirl component in the tube, the use of anti-swirl fins was investigated in a previous study. However, vortex rope generation still occurred near the cone of the tube. In this study, unsteady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes analyses were conducted with a scale-adaptive simulation shear stress transport turbulence model. This model was used to observe the effects of the injection in the draft tube on the unsteady internal flow and pressure phenomena considering both active and passive suppression methods. The air injection affected the generation and suppression of the vortex rope and swirl component depending on the flow rate of the air. In addition, an injection level of 0.5%Q led to a reduction in the maximum unsteady pressure characteristics.

The Effect of the Operating Point on the Pressure Fluctuations at the Blade Passage Frequency in the Volute of a Centrifugal Pump

2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 784-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge L. Parrondo-Gayo ◽  
Jose´ Gonza´lez-Pe´rez ◽  
Joaquı´n Ferna´ndez-Francos
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Blade Passage ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Dynamic Forces ◽  
Response Pressure

An experimental investigation is presented which analyzes the unsteady pressure distribution existing in the volute of a conventional centrifugal pump with a nondimensional specific speed of 0.48, for flow-rates from 0% to 160% of the best-efficiency point. For that purpose, pressure signals were obtained at 36 different locations along the volute casing by means of fast-response pressure transducers. Particular attention was paid to the pressure fluctuations at the blade passage frequency, regarding both amplitude and phase delay relative to the motion of the blades. Also, the experimental data obtained was used to adjust the parameters of a simple acoustic model for the volute of the pump. The results clearly show the leading role played by the tongue in the impeller-volute interaction and the strong increase in the magnitude of dynamic forces and dipole-like sound generation in off-design conditions.

scholarly journals Aerothermal Investigations of Mixing Flow Phenomena in Case of Radially Inclined Ejection Holes at the Leading Edge

1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieter E. Bohn ◽  
Karsten A. Kusterer
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Pressure Side ◽  
Blade Surface ◽  
Cooling Fluid ◽  
Flow Phenomena ◽  
Vortex Systems

A leading edge cooling configuration is investigated numerically by application of a 3-D conjugate fluid flow and heat transfer solver, CHT-Flow. The code has been developed at the Institute of Steam and Gas Turbines, Aachen University of Technology. It works on the basis of an implicit finite volume method combined with a multi-block technique. The cooling configuration is an axial turbine blade cascade with leading edge ejection through two rows of cooling holes. The rows are located in the vicinity of the stagnation line, one row is on the suction side, the other row is on the pressure side. The cooling holes have a radial ejection angle of 45°. This configuration has been investigated experimentally by other authors and the results have been documented as a test case for numerical calculations of ejection flow phenomena. The numerical domain includes the internal cooling fluid supply, the radially inclined holes and the complete external flow field of the turbine vane in a high resolution grid. Periodic boundary conditions have been used in the radial direction. Thus, end wall effects have been excluded. The numerical investigations focus on the aerothermal mixing process in the cooling jets and the impact on the temperature distribution on the blade surface. The radial ejection angles lead to a fully three dimensional and asymmetric jet flow field. Within a secondary flow analysis it can be shown that complex vortex systems are formed in the ejection holes and in the cooling fluid jets. The secondary flow fields include asymmetric kidney vortex systems with one dominating vortex on the back side of the jets. The numerical and experimental data show a good agreement concerning the vortex development. The phenomena on the suction side and the pressure side are principally the same. It can be found that the jets are barely touching the blade surface as the dominating vortex transports hot gas under the jets. Thus, the cooling efficiency is reduced.

An Experimental Investigation of Flow-Induced Cavity Resonance

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul J. Zoccola ◽  
Theodore M. Farabee
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Cavity Resonance ◽  
Cavity Pressure ◽  
Novel Technique ◽  
Cavity Opening ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Marine Applications ◽  
Opening Phase

Abstract Excitation of cavity resonance by flow over an aperture is often a source of unwanted noise in aerospace, automotive, and marine applications. An experimental investigation of this phenomenon was conducted. Detailed measurements of the cavity pressure and the velocity field in the opening were performed in a quiet flow facility. Spectral data on cavity pressure fluctuations obtained for a variety of configurations were analyzed over a range of speeds to determine the behavior of both sheartones and cavity tones during non-resonant and resonant conditions. The mean and fluctuating velocity profiles as well as the cross-spectral properties between the velocity components and cavity pressure were also obtained within the cavity opening. Phase between the velocity components and the pressure was used to calculate the streamwise convection velocities across the opening. A novel technique used to measure vorticity allowed calculation of the measured energy production in the opening. The data support the finding that the resonant and non-resonant conditions are distinguished by the behavior of the convection velocity and by the distribution of energy production in the flow field.

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