Abstract
In recent times, optimization began to be popular in the turbomachinery field. The development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and optimization technology provides the opportunity to maximize the performance of hydro turbines. The optimization techniques are focused mainly on the rotating components (runner and guide vane) of the hydro turbines. Meanwhile, fixed flow passages (stay vane, casing, and draft tube) are essential parts for the proper flow uniformity in the hydro turbines. The suppression of flow instabilities in the fixed flow passages is an inevitable process to ensure the power plant safety by the reduction of vortex-induced vibration and pressure pulsation in the hydro turbines. In this study, a CFD-based shape design optimization process is proposed with response surface methodology (RSM) to improve the flow uniformity in the fixed flow passages of a Francis hydro turbine model. The internal flow behaviors were compared between the initial and optimal shapes of the stay vane, casing, and the draft tube with J-Groove. The optimal shape design process for the fixed flow passages proved its remarkable effects on the improvement of flow uniformity in the Francis hydro turbine.
Highlights
Hydropower is considered a reliable renewable source for electricity production
The objective of this study is to propose a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based shape design optimization process for fixed flow passages in the Francis hydro turbine
The optimization for the fixed flow passages was carried out by sensitivity analysis tool, which is used to improve the sensitivity between the objective functions using response surface methodology (RSM) and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA)
Summary
Hydropower is considered a reliable renewable source for electricity production. The hydraulic turbine is an essential component of the hydropower plant. Among various types of hydraulic turbines, Francis turbines are widely used over a wide range of flow rates and heads [1]. The main hydro passage parts of the Francis turbine are composed of a spiral casing, stay vane, guide vane, runner and draft tube. The flow instabilities in the fixed flow passages can cause failure in the whole hydro turbine system. The design of the fixed flow passages is dependent on the moving components of the runner and guide vane in the Francis turbine
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