Advance in Research on Air Cushion Surge Chamber in Hydropower Plant

Abstract

Air cushion surge chamber is an important measure of water hammer protection in hydropower plant. Compared with conventional surge tank, air cushion surge chamber is more efficient to decrease the water hammer pressure and improve operating condition of turbine and is more economic. At the same time, because it is often constructed in the ground, it destroyed the natural environment slightly less than conventional surge tank. Condition of engineering geology is a key factor if air cushion surge chamber will be applied. Quantity of air leakage is directly relative to the normal operation of air surge chamber. Appropriate design of operation control mode is also important to the safety of hydropower plant. In this paper, principle and application of air cushion surge chamber in hydropower plant are introduced briefly; the main engineering problems are presented; achievements of research are summarized and analyzed including engineering geology, air characteristics, prediction and control of air leakage, hydraulic performance and operation control. Finally, problems that need to be research in the future and prospective applications are provided.