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Energies
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Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems
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Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A3: Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 17156

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Adam Adamkowski

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Guest Editor
The Szewalski Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk, Poland
Interests: hydropower; hydraulic machinery; water hammer; fluid mechanics; renewable energy; hydraulics; data acquisition; fluid flow; piping; boundary layer; optical engineering; power plants; liquids; pressure measurement; pipeline; curve fitting; instrument handling; cavitation; unsteady flows
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anton Bergant

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Guest Editor
1. Litostroj Power d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia
2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: mechanical engineering; hydropower; piping; modeling and simulation; fluid mechanics numerical modeling; fluid transients; cavitation; friction; fluid structure interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite many years of development in the hydropower sector, the global energy potential of water resources is still not sufficiently used. This particularly concerns low- and ultra-low-head facilities, which are mostly common. The search for modern, high-performance technologies in the field of hydraulic machines and their flow systems is one of the most important issues that can contribute to greater profitability and thus, the further development of low-head and hydrokinetic machine technologies.

I hope that the proposed Special Issue will enable the dissemination of contemporary scientific and technical achievements, and a broad discussion on the possibilities of their use for the development of hydropower. Special attention will be paid to innovative solutions used in hydraulic machines and their flow systems, as well as to methods of operation and maintenance aided by up-to-date tools, taking into account the criteria for the optimal operation of hydropower plants. Research papers on steady and unsteady flow analysis which aim to improve the performance characteristics and/or operation safety of hydraulic structures and equipment, as well as elongate their lifetime, are also most welcome. In addition, the contribution of research papers which aim to increase the flexibility of the hydropower installations and deal with such problems as hydraulic transients, off-design operation or cavitation phenomena will be highly valued.

I believe that the papers collected and selected in this way will enable the acceleration of the sustainable development of hydropower and its wider use, and, as a consequence, will contribute to ensuring energy security and the protection of water resources.

Prof. Dr. Adam Adamkowski
Dr. Anton Bergant
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • hydraulic machinery
  • hydrokinetic turbines
  • pumps as turbines (PAT)
  • piping
  • flow measurements
  • efficiency measurements
  • optimal operation
  • hydraulic diagnostics
  • hydraulic transients
  • cavitation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2429 KiB  
Article
Mechanistic Model of an Air Cushion Surge Tank for Hydro Power Plants
by Madhusudhan Pandey, Dietmar Winkler, Kaspar Vereide, Roshan Sharma and Bernt Lie
Energies 2022, 15(8), 2824; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15082824 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Due to the increasing use of renewable energy sources, and to counter the effects of fossil fuels, renewable dispatchable hydro power can be used for balancing load and generation from intermittent sources (solar and wind). During higher percentage change in load acceptance or [...] Read more.
Due to the increasing use of renewable energy sources, and to counter the effects of fossil fuels, renewable dispatchable hydro power can be used for balancing load and generation from intermittent sources (solar and wind). During higher percentage change in load acceptance or rejection in the intermittent grid, the operations of surge tanks are crucial in terms of water mass oscillation and water hammer pressure, and to avoid wear and tear in actuators and other equipment, such as hydro turbines. Surge tanks are broadly classified as open types, with access to open air, and closed types, with a closed volume of pressurized air. Closed surge tanks are considered to have a more flexible operation in terms of suppressing water mass oscillation and water hammer pressure. In this paper, a mechanistic model of an air cushion surge tank (ACST) for hydro power plants is developed based on the ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for mass and momentum balances. The developed mechanistic model of the ACST is a feature extension to an existing open-source hydro power library—OpenHPL. The developed model is validated with experimental data from the Torpa hydro power plant (HPP) in Norway. Results show that the air friction inside the ACST is negligible as compared to the water friction. The results also indicate that a hydro power plant with an ACST is a potential candidate as a flexible hydro power in an interconnected power system grid supplied with intermittent energy sources. Conclusions are drawn based on the simulation results from hydraulic performance of the ACST. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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20 pages, 9512 KiB  
Article
Application of CFD to the Design of Manifolds Employed in the Thermodynamic Method to Obtain Efficiency in a Hydraulic Turbine
by Erick O. Castañeda Magadán, Gustavo Urquiza Beltrán, Laura L. Castro Gómez and Juan C. García Castrejón
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8359; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248359 - 11 Dec 2021
Viewed by 1793
Abstract
This study presents the design and implementation of different types of manifolds (sampling system) to measure water flow properties (velocity, pressure, and temperature) through the high- and low-pressure section of a Francis-type low head hydraulic turbine (LHT of 52 m) to calculate it [...] Read more.
This study presents the design and implementation of different types of manifolds (sampling system) to measure water flow properties (velocity, pressure, and temperature) through the high- and low-pressure section of a Francis-type low head hydraulic turbine (LHT of 52 m) to calculate it is efficiency using the Thermodynamic Method (TM). The design of the proposed manifolds meets the criteria established in the “International Electrotechnical Commission—60041” Standard for the application of the TM in the turbine. The design of manifolds was coupled to the turbine and tested by the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) application, under the same experimental conditions that were carried out in a power plant, without the need for on-site measurements. CFD analyses were performed at different operating conditions of volumetric flow (between values of 89.67 m3/s and 35.68 m3/s) at the inlet of turbine. The mechanical power obtained and the efficiency calculated from the numerical simulations were compared with the experimental measurements by employing the Gibson Method (GM) on the same LTH. The design and testing of manifolds for high- and low-pressure sections in a low head turbine allows for the constant calculation of efficiency, avoiding breaks in the generation of electrical energy, as opposed to other methods, for example, the GM. However, the simulated (TM) and experimental (GM) efficiency curves are similar; therefore, it is proposed that the design of the manifolds is applied in different geometries of low-head turbines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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13 pages, 6012 KiB  
Article
Innovation of Pump as Turbine According to Calculation Model for Francis Turbine Design
by Martin Polák
Energies 2021, 14(9), 2698; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14092698 - 08 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3150
Abstract
The effective utilization of micro hydropower sources is often realized through the use of pumps as turbines (PAT). The efficiency of PAT is about the same as that of the original pump. A further increase in efficiency and power output can be achieved [...] Read more.
The effective utilization of micro hydropower sources is often realized through the use of pumps as turbines (PAT). The efficiency of PAT is about the same as that of the original pump. A further increase in efficiency and power output can be achieved by modifying the parts interacting with the flow, especially the impeller and the adjacent volute casing and draft tube. This paper presents a user-friendly calculation model of Francis turbine design and its application for PAT geometry modification. Two different modifications of a single-stage radial centrifugal pump were designed according to this model. The first modification (Turbine) consisted of a complete revision of the impeller geometry, volute casing and draft tube, which corresponded to a conventional Francis turbine. The second modification (Hybrid) was based on altered calculation model and consisted of a modification of only the impeller, which can be used in the original volute casing. Both modifications were tested on hydraulic test circuit at different heads. A comparison of the results of the Hybrid and the Turbine modification with the unmodified machine (Original) proved an increase in overall efficiency by 10%. Both modifications provided a higher flow rate and torque. This resulted in an overall power output increase—an increase of approximately 25% and 40% due to the Turbine and Hybrid modifications, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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15 pages, 5239 KiB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of the Geometrical Effect on Flow-Induced Vibration Performance of Pivoted Bodies
by Hamid Arionfard and Sina Mohammadi
Energies 2021, 14(4), 1128; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14041128 - 20 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1462
Abstract
In this study, the Flow-Induced Vibration (FIV) of pivoted cylinders (at a distance) is numerically investigated as a potential source of energy harvesting. In particular, we investigate the effect of pivot point placement, arm length, and natural frequency on the FIV performance of [...] Read more.
In this study, the Flow-Induced Vibration (FIV) of pivoted cylinders (at a distance) is numerically investigated as a potential source of energy harvesting. In particular, we investigate the effect of pivot point placement, arm length, and natural frequency on the FIV performance of six different cross sections in the Reynolds number of around 1000. All sections have similar mass, area, and moment of inertia to eliminate non-geometrical effects on the performance. Classical studies show that the synchronization phenomenon (lock-in) occurs when the vortex formation frequency is close enough to the body’s natural frequency. Due to the configuration of the cylinder in this research (pivoted eccentrically), the natural frequency is also a function of the flow velocity as well as the geometrical specifications of the system. The simulation is done for the arm lengths between −3D and +3D for all cross sections. Results show that maximum output power is principally influenced more by the pivot location than the arm length. Although the box cross section has a higher amplitude of vibration, the circular cross section has the highest efficiency followed by the egg shape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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20 pages, 27417 KiB  
Article
Differences of Flow Patterns and Pressure Pulsations in Four Prototype Pump-Turbines during Runaway Transient Processes
by Zhiyan Yang, Zirui Liu, Yongguang Cheng, Xiaoxi Zhang, Ke Liu and Linsheng Xia
Energies 2020, 13(20), 5269; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13205269 - 11 Oct 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 1976
Abstract
Frequent working condition conversions in pumped-storage power stations often induce stability problems, especially when the operating point enters the S-shaped region, during which flow transitions and pressure fluctuations are serious. The pump-turbines with different specific speed values show different characteristics, but their differences [...] Read more.
Frequent working condition conversions in pumped-storage power stations often induce stability problems, especially when the operating point enters the S-shaped region, during which flow transitions and pressure fluctuations are serious. The pump-turbines with different specific speed values show different characteristics, but their differences in stability features are still not clear. In this study, four different pump-turbines were selected to simulate the runaway processes from turbine modes. The similarities and differences of flow patterns and pressure fluctuations were analyzed. For the similarities, pressure pulsations increase gradually and fluctuate suddenly once the backflows occur at the runner inlets. For the differences, the evolutions of backflows and pressure pulsations are related to specific speeds and runner shapes. Firstly, it is easier for the lower specific speed turbines to enter the reverse pump mode. Secondly, the blade lean angle influences the position where backflows occur, because it determines the pressure gradient at the runner inlets. Thirdly, the runner inlet height influences pressure pulsations in the vaneless space, because the relative range of backflow transitions will be enlarged with the decrease of specific speed. Overall, investigating the mechanisms of flow pattern transitions and pressure variations is important for runner design and transient process control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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26 pages, 3587 KiB  
Article
Measurements of Discharge through a Pump-Turbine in Both Flow Directions Using Volumetric Gauging and Pressure-Time Methods
by Adam Adamkowski, Waldemar Janicki and Mariusz Lewandowski
Energies 2020, 13(18), 4706; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13184706 - 09 Sep 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4006
Abstract
This article presents the original procedures for measuring the flow rate using the pressure-time and the volumetric gauging method in the case of performance tests of a reversible hydraulic machine in either turbine or pump modes of operation. Achieving the lowest possible measurement [...] Read more.
This article presents the original procedures for measuring the flow rate using the pressure-time and the volumetric gauging method in the case of performance tests of a reversible hydraulic machine in either turbine or pump modes of operation. Achieving the lowest possible measurement uncertainty was one of the basic conditions during implemented machine tests. It was met using appropriate measuring procedures and high-class measuring equipment. Estimation of the uncertainty for both methods was made on the basis of an analysis consistent with current requirements in this respect. The pressure-time method was supplemented by the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis that allowed reducing the impact of the pipeline complex irregular geometry on the uncertainty of flow measurement. Appropriate modifications of the calculation procedure enabled accurate measurements of flow during the pump mode of operation of the tested machine as well. The volumetric gauging method, thanks to a special procedure used for accurate measurement of the water level in the upper reservoir of the power plant, allowed measuring the discharge through the tested reversible machine with very low uncertainty. The obtained results allowed for a detailed comparison and mutual verification of the methods used to measure the discharge of the tested reversible machine in both modes of its operation. The most possible causes of obtained results are discussed and summarized in the paper. The need for further research was pointed out to explain the differences obtained and their influence on the accuracy of discharge measurement using the pressure-time method in pump operation mode. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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Graphical abstract

21 pages, 6818 KiB  
Article
Transient CFD Simulation on Dynamic Characteristics of Annular Seal under Large Eccentricities and Disturbances
by Kai Zhang, Xinkuo Jiang, Shiyang Li, Bin Huang, Shuai Yang, Peng Wu and Dazhuan Wu
Energies 2020, 13(16), 4056; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en13164056 - 05 Aug 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2260
Abstract
Annular seals of turbomachinery usually suffer from various degrees of eccentricities and disturbances due to the rotor–stator misalignment and radial loads, while the discussion of annular seal under both large static eccentricities and dynamic disturbances is relatively limited. In this paper, the applicability [...] Read more.
Annular seals of turbomachinery usually suffer from various degrees of eccentricities and disturbances due to the rotor–stator misalignment and radial loads, while the discussion of annular seal under both large static eccentricities and dynamic disturbances is relatively limited. In this paper, the applicability of linear assumption and reliability of nonlinear dynamic model for eccentric annular seals under large eccentricities and disturbances is discussed based on the investigation of seals with various rotor motions through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). After the validation of transient CFD methods by comparison with experimental and bulk theory results, the dynamic behaviors of annular seal are analyzed by adopting both direct transient simulations and the nonlinear Muszynska model. The results show that the nonlinear dynamic model based on rotor circular whirls around seal center can predict the fluid excitations of different types of rotor motions well under small static eccentricities, while it is limited severely with large static eccentricities, which indicates that the dynamic characteristics of annular seal under large eccentricities are related with the rotor’s motion ways. The paper provides a reference for studies of rotor–seal system with complex rotor motions considering radial loads or running across the resonance region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Hydropower Flow Systems)
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