On the Rotating Vortex Rope and Its Induced Structural Response in a Kaplan Turbine Model

Rafel Roig, Xavier Sánchez-Botello, Xavier Escaler (), Berhanu Mulu and Carl-Maikel Högström
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Rafel Roig: Barcelona Fluids & Energy Lab, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Xavier Sánchez-Botello: Barcelona Fluids & Energy Lab, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Xavier Escaler: Barcelona Fluids & Energy Lab, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Berhanu Mulu: Vattenfall AB, R&D, 814 70 Älvkarleby, Sweden
Carl-Maikel Högström: Vattenfall AB, R&D, 814 70 Älvkarleby, Sweden

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-19

Abstract: The rotating vortex rope, which can be decomposed in the rotating and the plunging modes, is the origin of pressure fluctuations in the draft tube cone when hydraulic turbines operate at part load, compromising the structural integrity and limiting the output load. A measurement campaign was carried out in a Kaplan turbine model which is a replica of the experimental 10 MW Porjus U9 prototype machine along a propeller curve to study the rotating vortex rope’s excitation levels and the induced structural responses. A complete set of sensors mounted on-board and off-board was used to measure pressures, forces, torques, accelerations, displacements, and strains. The characteristic frequencies and amplitudes of the pressure fluctuations and of the corresponding induced loads and vibrations associated with the two modes were quantified in a wide range of operating conditions at part load. The two modes are detected at different frequencies depending on the sensor position. Moreover, their frequencies change depending on the discharge and present different amplitudes depending on the mode. Particularly, the rotating mode shows higher amplitudes than the plunging mode in the majority of positions and directions measured.

Keywords: rotating vortex rope; plunging mode; rotating mode; structural dynamic response; Kaplan turbine model (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: 2022
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