Numerical Simulation of Desilting Chamber Using Flow 3D

Abstract

AbstractMany run-of-river hydro power schemes are coming up on Himalayan Rivers. These perennial rivers have minimum design discharge for power generation right through the year and high heads are available for power generation. However, due to steep slopes and fragile geology of the region these rivers carry huge amount of sediment with them. The part of suspended sediment finds its way into the power intake and ultimately to the power house thus causing heavy damage to the turbines and other under water parts. Desilting chambers are provided to remove or minimize this sediment from the water conductor system. Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune (CWPRS) has vast experience in conducting physical model studies for desilting chambers. The theoretical assumptions of design are to be verified on a physical model for the adequacy / feasibility of the desilting chamber for 90% removal of suspended sediment coarser than 0.2 mm and efficacy of flushing tunnel below desilting chamber in transporting the settled sediment. However, in comparison with computational fluid dynamic (CFD) program, making additions and alterations in physical models is time consuming and costly, to improve their design. Therefore, the need of numerical simulation of desilting chamber arises. Recently, CWPRS has procured CFD based program named Flow3D to study some of the components of hydropower projects. The numerical simulation of desilting chamber using Flow3D, related aspects and various constraints are described in this paper.KeywordsDesilting chamberHydraulic model studiesComputational Fluid DynamicsSettling efficiencyNumerical simulationFlow3D