Study on partial load vortex and pressure pulsation characteristics of Francis turbine

Abstract

Under partial load condition of the Francis turbine, problems such as hydraulic vibration, noise, and high amplitude pressure pulsation that endanger the safe and efficient operation of the unit are inevitable during the transient process. Based on dynamic grid technology and CFD technology, unsteady numerical simulation was conducted for the closing process of the active guide vane from 54% opening to 38% opening, and the evolution characteristics of internal vortex and pressure pulsation were analyzed. The results show that there is always a vortex structure at the crown of the runner during the transition process of variable load. Because of the vortex structure, a “banded” low-pressure zone appears on the suction surface of the blade, which gradually approaches the lower ring of the runner as the vortex structure develops. The analysis of the pressure signal in the runner region shows that the pressure coefficient on the suction surface fluctuates greatly due to the influence of the distribution position of the vortex structure, and the evolution of the vortex structure from continuous to local fracture will lead to a sudden increase of the pressure coefficient. In addition, the frequency components within the runner domain include the frequency of the movable guide vanes passing through the blade and the low-frequency components caused by the evolution of eddy currents within the runner.