Investigation into Pump Mode Flow Dynamics for a Mixed Flow PAT with Adjustable Runner Blades

Maxime Binama, Kan Kan, Huixiang Chen, Yuan Zheng, Daqing Zhou, Alexis Muhirwa and Godfrey M. Bwimba
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Maxime Binama: College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Kan Kan: College of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Huixiang Chen: College of Agricultural Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Yuan Zheng: College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Daqing Zhou: College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Alexis Muhirwa: School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
Godfrey M. Bwimba: College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-28

Abstract: The adoption of pumps as turbines (PATs) in both small-scale hydroelectric plants and water supply systems has brought about various advantages, the most recognized being cost-effectiveness compared to other hydroturbines. However, due to their lack of flow control ability, their intolerance to off-design operations constitutes a tough shortfall. Moreover, since this technology is new, PAT flow dynamics are not yet well understood. Therefore, this study intends to numerically investigate the mixed-flow PAT’s pump mode flow dynamics for five operating conditions from optimum (1 Q BEP ) to deep part-load (0.41 Q BEP ) conditions. Moreover, the effect of runner blade angle on them is investigated, considering three angles, namely ?2°, 0°, and 2°. PAT flow stability was found to deteriorate as the flow decreased, where associated pressure pulsation level worsened at different flow zones. In addition, the blade angle increase led to correspondingly increasing flow unsteadiness and pressure pulsation levels, where the pulsation frequencies from rotor-stator interactions were dominant for most flow zones. This study’s findings are of crucial importance to both scientific and engineering communities as they contribute to a thorough understanding of PAT flow dynamics.

Keywords: blade angle; flow unsteadiness; numerical simulation; pressure pulsation; pump as turbine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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