Estimation of Critical Submergence at Intake System of Aydoghmush Dam Using FLUENT Model

Intakes are applied to divert water for agricultural, urban and industrial uses and to produce electricity. Vortices may occur at intakes in the case of insufficient submergence. In order to prevent the occurrence of vortices and air entrainment in intakes, an adequate submergence is required. In this study, flow characteristics at intake system of Aydoghmush Dam were investigated at different hydraulic conditions using finite volume numerical method through FLUENT model. Results were compared with the physical model measurements. Intake system of Aydoghmush Dam consists of an intake tower which is 40 meters high. There are four intake levels in the tower. Flow characteristics in four cases (i.e. gates No.1 to No.4 at opening states) were investigated. Piezometric heads and velocity values were computed using FLUENT model. Minimum, maximum and average RMSE of piezometric head were 0.13m, 2.42m and 0.67m, respectively. Critical submergence through Knauss criterion for gates No.1 to No.4 at opening states was 3.96 meters in the normal condition. The results from both physical and FLUENT model indicated that the critical submergence would depend on hydraulic conditions in intake structure.