Computation of Stress Distribution in Hydraulic Horizontal Propeller Turbine Runner Based on Fluid–Structure Interaction Analysis

Abstract

In the hydro-turbine operation, the kinetic energy of flowing fluid is converted into mechanical energy. In the turbine operation, fluid induces hydraulic load that not only provides a useful mechanical driving torque on the turbine shaft but also causes deformation in turbine components and stress distribution that might induce a structure failure. Structural failure in turbine component decreases performance as well as increases the maintenance cost of hydro-turbines. In this paper, fluid–structure interaction model is used to investigate the stress distribution and total deformation of hydraulic horizontal propeller turbine runner (HHPTR) with different flow velocities, blade widths and blade wrap angles. The results showed that the effects of blade wrap angles and blade width significantly influence the performance and structural strength of the HHPTR. Maximum turbine performance was observed at blade wrap angle of 100° and blade width of 2 mm. It was also found that the maximum value of equivalent stress near the runner hub is 59.54 MPa at blade wrap angle 100°. Similarly, the maximum value of total deformation in HHPTR is 0.7689 mm near the runner blade edges at blade wrap angle 60°.