Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Locating Groove on the Runner Cone of a Pump-Turbine on the Vortex Flow in the Draft Tube

Intense pressure pulsations, which are caused by the vortex rope in the runner cone and the draft tube of pump-turbines, result in vibrations and noise under partial load conditions in turbine mode and also reduce the machine’s efficiency. The most common method for reducing these fluctuations is injecting air through the shaft. This method has some disadvantages such as, negative influence on efficiency, high cost, and technical difficulties. In the present paper, the concept of locating grooves on the conic surface of runner has been investigated. In this regard, the runner and the draft tube geometry has been designed according to the specifications and the accessible information of Siah-Bishe project. Afterwards, the 3-dimensional flow field has been solved numerically, using Ansys CFX package. The numerical results have been verified by investigating their independency from grid size and comparing the results with experimental ones. Maximum difference between the proposed and the existing design’s performance has been less than 2 percent. The results indicate that locating grooves on the conic surface of the runner results in an increase in the flow velocity beneath the runner cone. Moreover, pressure pulsations have been decreased and the low-pressure area at the beginning of the draft tube shrank. The maximum amount of decrease in pressure pulsations has been recorded in two opening positions of the guide vanes (lower than 60% and more than 90% of design point). In addition, maximum efficiency drop in the revised design has been less than 0.3 percent.