Abstract
At medium- and high-head hydropower plants (HPPs) on sediment-laden rivers, hydro-abrasive erosion on hydraulic turbines is a major economic issue. For optimization of such HPPs, there is an interest in equations to predict erosion depths. Such a semi-empirical equation suitable for engineering practice is proposed in the relevant guideline of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 62364). However, for Pelton turbines no numerical values of the model's calibration parameters have been available yet.In the scope of a research project at the high-head HPP Fieschertal, Switzerland, the particle load and the erosion on the buckets of two hard-coated 32 MW-Pelton runners have been measured since 2012. Based on three years of field data, the numerical values of a group of calibration parameters of the IEC erosion model were determined for five application cases: (i) reduction of splitter height, (ii) increase of splitter width and (iii) increase of cut-out depth due to erosion of mainly base material, as well as erosion of coating on (iv) the splitter crests and (v) inside the buckets. Further laboratory and field investigations are recommended to quantify the effects of individual parameters as well as to improve, generalize and validate erosion models for uncoated and coated Pelton turbines.
Highlights
At medium- and high-head hydropower plants (HPPs) operated on sediment-laden rivers, turbine parts are subject to hydro-abrasive erosion
Further laboratory and field investigations are recommended to quantify the effects of individual parameters as well as to improve, generalize and validate erosion models for uncoated and coated Pelton turbines
The model for hydro-abrasive erosion proposed in the IEC guideline 62364 [4] with the concept of Particle Loads (PL) was summarized focusing on Pelton turbines
Summary
At medium- and high-head hydropower plants (HPPs) operated on sediment-laden rivers, turbine parts are subject to hydro-abrasive erosion. As a basis for adequate countermeasures and optimizations in the design, operation and maintenance of such HPPs, the knowledge on hydro-abrasive erosion and its consequences needs to be improved To this end, the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW) of ETH Zürich and the Competence Center for Fluid Mechanics and Hydro Machines (CC FMHM) of Hochschule Luzern, Switzerland, initiated an interdisciplinary research project. The Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW) of ETH Zürich and the Competence Center for Fluid Mechanics and Hydro Machines (CC FMHM) of Hochschule Luzern, Switzerland, initiated an interdisciplinary research project In this project, sediment load, erosion on Pelton turbine runners and turbine efficiency changes have been measured and analyzed since 2012 at the high-head HPP Fieschertal in Valais, Switzerland. The results are discussed and recommendations on improvements of erosion prediction models for uncoated and coated Pelton turbines are given
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