scholarly journals Computational Analysis on Numerical Simulation of Internal Flow Physics for Pump as Turbine in Renewable Small Hydro Energy Generation

Complexity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Du Jianguo ◽  
Daniel Adu ◽  
Emmanuel Acheaw ◽  
Shakir Hafeez ◽  
Eric Ofosu Antw
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Hydroelectric Power ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Blade Thickness ◽  
The Impact

Energy contributes significantly in almost all aspects of human life as well as economic activities and plays a crucial role in the infrastructural development of a county to alleviate poverty. Generating energy from a renewable source such as small hydropower through the application of pump operating as a turbine mode called Pump as Turbine is one of the best alternatives to provide clean and inexpensive energy. Using Pump as Turbine helps in generating reasonably priced hydroelectric power for communities in underdeveloped counties. This study investigates the effects of internal flow behaviour and performance of Pump as Turbine under different rotational speed and flow rate. The rotational speed is an essential physical parameter as it affects the Pump as Turbine operation. A model-specific speed centrifugal pump model with head 32 (m), flow rate of 12.5 (m3/h) and the rotational speed of 2900 rpm, has been selected for the study. Numerical simulations have been conducted using the k-ω turbulence model to solve three-dimensional (3D) equations. The pump mode experimental data were used to confirm the results for better analysis. The results predicted that vortex and turbulent kinetic energy increase per rotational speed increase. Also, at the higher rotational speed, very high recirculation of flow is detected at the blade suction chamber, although the pressure side has a smooth flow. This study provides beneficial information which will serve as a reference to help improve PAT performance along with selecting PAT for a small hydropower site. Future works will consider the impact of blade thickness and cavitation in Pump as Turbine.

Numerical Investigation of Positive Displacement Rotary Lobe Pump With Twisted Rotors

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaojun Jiang ◽  
Yi Li ◽  
Zhaohui He ◽  
Cui Baoling ◽  
Wenlong Dong
Keyword(s):  
Flow Structure ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Dynamic Flow ◽  
Flow Fluctuation ◽  
Flow Field Characteristics ◽  
Lobe Pump ◽  
The Impact

The three-dimensional flow field characteristics are obtained by performing numerical simulation of flow in a lobe pump with twisted rotors. The relationship between the dynamic flow structure and the flow fluctuation is explored. Actually, the viscous incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved within an unsteady flow model. The dynamic mesh technique is applied to obtain the dynamic flow structure. By comparing the simulated results of straight rotor with those of twisted rotor, the effect of rotor shape on the flow fluctuation was revealed. Finally, the impact of the lobes number of rotors on flow pulsations is discussed. The results show that there is an intrinsic relationship between the flow fluctuation and the vortex in the lobe pump. The use of twisted rotors can effectively improve the internal flow characteristics of lobe pump and reduce flow fluctuation. With the increase of the number of lobes, the lobe pump output is more stable and capacity has been improved.

scholarly journals Three-Dimensional CFD Simulations of Start-Up Processes of a Pump-Turbine Considering Governor Regulation

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8507
Author(s):  
Zhiyan Yang ◽  
Yongguang Cheng ◽  
Ke Liu ◽  
Xiaoxia Hou ◽  
Xiaoxi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Load Condition ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Pump Turbine ◽  
Characteristic Region ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Speed Fluctuation ◽  
Pumped Storage ◽  
Cfd Method

The pumped-storage power station is an efficient stability regulator of the power grid. However, due to the instability of the pump-turbine in the S-shaped characteristic region, rotational speed fluctuation is easy to occur in the speed no-load condition, making synchronization with and connection to the grid difficult. To investigate the key factors of these difficult grid connections, the start-up processes of a practical pump-turbine under the lowest head condition were simulated by using the three-dimensional CFD method, in which the governor regulating equations with different regulating parameters were integrated successfully. The results show that the working points oscillate with the fluctuations of rotational speed, discharge, and torque, and different regulating parameters have a significant influence on the dynamic histories. In addition, the internal flow patterns, especially the backflows at the runner inlet, keep apparent values at the middle span (0.5 span) but have regular transitions near the shroud side (0.7–0.8 span). The faster the guide vanes adjust, the faster the backflows change, and the larger the macro parameters fluctuate. Overall, the instability of the start-up is the result of the periodical evolutions of backflows at the runner inlet, because the trend and period of the radial velocities at different inlet span locations are consistent with those of the discharge.

scholarly journals Analysis of Unsteady Pressure Fluctuation in a Semi-Open Cutting Pump

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3657
Author(s):  
Weidong Cao ◽  
Jiayu Mao ◽  
Wei Li
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Lower Plate ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Axial Forces ◽  
Blade Frequency

In order to understand the pressure fluctuation characteristics of a semi-open cutting pump, the three-dimensional unsteady flow fields were calculated. External and internal flow characteristics of four schemes with different relative angles between the rotary cutter and the impeller were studied. The pressure fluctuations in the lower plate, the upper plate, the clearance between the rotary cutter and the fixed cutter, the first section in volute and nearby parts of the tongue were all analyzed, which are all the places that pressure distributions are greatly affected by the static and dynamic interaction, and at the same time, the force on the impeller was also analyzed. The results show that the fluctuations at different positions change periodically; the main frequency is blade frequency. The amplitude of pressure fluctuation decreases from near the rotating part to far away, from near the tongue to far from the tongue. Due to the influence of both impeller and rotary cutter, the pressure fluctuation on the lower plate is the largest. The pressure fluctuation is affected by flow rate, the larger the flow rate, the greater the pressure fluctuation. The radial and axial forces of the impeller change periodically with time, and the number of wave peaks and wave valleys is the same as the number of blades.

scholarly journals An improved inverse method for multirow blades of turbomachinery

2020 ◽  
Vol 234 (22) ◽  
pp. 4433-4443
Author(s):  
Li Aiting ◽  
Zhu Yangli ◽  
Li Wen ◽  
Wang Xing ◽  
Qin Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Structure ◽  
Inverse Method ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Spline Interpolation ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Virtual Displacement ◽  
Blade Thickness

A three-dimensional viscous inverse design method is improved and extended to multirow blades environment. The inverse method takes load distribution as optimization objective and is implemented into the time-marching finite-volume Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver. The camber line of rotor blade is updated by virtual displacement, which is calculated by characteristic compatibility relations according to the difference between target and actual load so as to control the location and intensity of shock wave, and realize the optimization of flow structure and reduction flow separation. The inlet and outlet geometry angles of stator blade are adjusted in real time according to the inlet and outlet flow angles. Thus, it is computationally ensured that the blade row interactions are accounted and optimization process is carried out under the design condition. To preserve the robustness of calculation, the maximum virtual displacement is limited by Y+ <10 and the camber line is smoothed via cubic B-spline interpolation. The complete blade profile is then generated by adding the prescribed blade thickness distribution to the camber line. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated in the optimization of Stage35 compressor stage. Numerical results showed that this inverse method can effectively improve the internal flow structure and optimize the matching between blade rows, and this method is robust, efficient, and flexible.

Contrarotating Open Rotor Operation for Improved Aerodynamics and Noise at Takeoff

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios Zachariadis ◽  
Cesare Hall ◽  
Anthony B. Parry
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Aviation Fuel ◽  
Lower Velocity ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Community Noise ◽  
Open Rotor

The contrarotating open rotor is, once again, being considered as an alternative to the advanced turbofan to address the growing pressure to cut aviation fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. One of the key challenges is meeting community noise targets at takeoff. Previous open rotor designs are subject to poor efficiency at takeoff due to the presence of large regions of separated flow on the blades as a result of the high incidence needed to achieve the required thrust. This is a consequence of the fixed rotor rotational speed constraint typical of variable pitch propellers. Within the study described in this paper, an improved operation is proposed to improve performance and reduce rotor-rotor interaction noise at takeoff. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations have been performed on an open rotor rig at a range of takeoff operating conditions. These have been complemented by analytical tone noise predictions to quantify the noise benefits of the approach. The results presented show that for a given thrust, a combination of reduced rotor pitch and increased rotor rotational speed can be used to reduce the incidence onto the front rotor blades. This is shown to eliminate regions of flow separation, reduce the front rotor tip loss and reduce the downstream stream tube contraction. The wakes from the front rotor are also made wider with lower velocity defect, which is found to lead to reduced interaction tone noise. Unfortunately, the necessary increase in blade speed leads to higher relative Mach numbers, which can increase rotor alone noise. In summary, the combined CFD and aeroacoustic analysis in this paper shows how careful operation of an open rotor at takeoff, with moderate levels of repitch and speed increase, can lead to improved front rotor efficiency as well as appreciably lower overall noise across all directivities.

Inverse Design of Centrifugal Compressor Vaned Diffusers in Inlet Shear Flows

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zangeneh
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Inverse Design ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Blade Thickness

A three-dimensional inverse design method in which the blade (or vane) geometry is designed for specified distributions of circulation and blade thickness is applied to the design of centrifugal compressor vaned diffusers. Two generic diffusers are designed, one with uniform inlet flow (equivalent to a conventional design) and the other with a sheared inlet flow. The inlet shear flow effects are modeled in the design method by using the so-called “Secondary Flow Approximation” in which the Bernoulli surfaces are convected by the tangentially mean inviscid flow field. The difference between the vane geometry of the uniform inlet flow and nonuniform inlet flow diffusers is found to be most significant from 50 percent chord to the trailing edge region. The flows through both diffusers are computed by using Denton’s three-dimensional inviscid Euler solver and Dawes’ three-dimensional Navier–Stokes solver under sheared in-flow conditions. The predictions indicate improved pressure recovery and internal flow field for the diffuser designed for shear inlet flow conditions.

scholarly journals Operational Evaluation of a Small Hydropower Plant in the Context of Sustainable Development

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Walczak
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Hydraulic Performance ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
Inlet Channel ◽  
Water Head ◽  
The Impact

Proper design of hydrotechnical structures should meet the basic principles of sustainable development, i.e., the investment should be designed and made in technical terms, in accordance with the applicable standards and regulations, provide certain economic benefits and guarantee the absence of environmental hazards. The article examines the work of a Small Hydropower Plant (SHP) in Jaracz in technical and hydraulic terms. It also provides the analysis of the effect of changes in parameters such as water head, flow rate velocity, and shape of trash rack bars on expected SHP profits. The assessment of hydraulic performance consisted of investigating the impact of reduced flow rate and water head on power output and energy production. The analyses were carried out for the Francis turbine installed in the facility. Since the loss of channel capacity is shaped by plant debris accumulated on trash racks, the hydraulic performance assessment was extended to include the analysis of the species and weight composition of such accumulation on fine trash racks located in the inlet channel. Field research involved collecting organic material from the growing season (spring, summer) and post-growing season (autumn). Technical conditions were developed on the basis of the current technical condition of the inlet channel; there were also made simulations of its deteriorating state, as well as its impact on the received energy and economic benefits.

scholarly journals Impacts of operational conditions on oxygen transfer rate, mixing characteristics and residence time distribution in a pilot scale high rate algal pond

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1782-1791 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Pham ◽  
J. Laurent ◽  
P. Bois ◽  
A. Wanko
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Time Distribution ◽  
Transfer Rate ◽  
Pilot Scale ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Inlet Flow Rate ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Different combinations of operational parameters including water level, paddle rotational speed and influent flow rate were applied to investigate their impacts on mixing characteristics, residence time distribution and gas transfer rate in a pilot-scale high rate algal pond. In closed condition, the paddle rotational speed had a positive correlation with the Bodenstein number (Bo), water velocity and oxygen volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLaO2) while increasing water level generated a negative impact on these parameters, although the impact of water level on water linear velocity was small. The amplification effect of water level and paddle rotational speed on the sensitivity of Bo and kLaO2 should be noticed. Moreover, paddle rotational speed had more impact on kLaO2 than on Bo. The study in open condition indicated that effective volume fraction had a positive correlation with inlet flow rate and negative correlation with paddle rotation, while the opposite was observed in the case of Peclet number. The impact of water level variation on these parameters was unclear. Both water level and paddle rotational speed had negative impacts on the short-circuiting index, while no correlation was observed when varying inlet flow rate. In this study, the optimal operational conditions included low water level (0.1 m) and medium paddle rotational speed (11.6 rpm).

Contra-Rotating Open Rotor Operation for Improved Aerodynamics and Noise at Takeoff

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexios Zachariadis ◽  
Cesare A. Hall ◽  
Anthony B. Parry
Keyword(s):  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Acoustic Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Aviation Fuel ◽  
Lower Velocity ◽  
Speed Increase ◽  
Open Rotor

The contra-rotating open rotor is, once again, being considered as an alternative to the advanced turbofan to address the growing pressure to cut aviation fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. One of the key challenges is meeting community noise targets at takeoff. Previous open rotor designs are subject to poor efficiency at takeoff due to the presence of large regions of separated flow on the blades as a result of the high incidence needed to achieve the required thrust. This is a consequence of the fixed rotor rotational speed constraint typical of variable pitch propellers. Within the study described in this paper, an improved operation is proposed to improve performance and reduce rotor-rotor interaction noise at takeoff. Three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations have been performed on an open rotor rig at a range of takeoff operating conditions. These have been complemented by analytical tone noise predictions to quantify the noise benefits of the approach. The results presented show that for a given thrust, a combination of reduced rotor pitch and increased rotor rotational speed can be used to reduce the incidence onto the front rotor blades. This is shown to eliminate regions of flow separation, reduce the front rotor tip loss and reduce the downstream stream tube contraction. The wakes from the front rotor are also made wider with lower velocity defect, which is found to lead to reduced interaction tone noise. Unfortunately, the necessary increase in blade speed leads to higher relative Mach numbers, which can increase rotor alone noise. In summary, the combined CFD and aero-acoustic analysis in this paper shows how careful operation of an open rotor at takeoff, with moderate levels of re-pitch and speed increase, can lead to improved front rotor efficiency as well as appreciably lower overall noise across all directivities.

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