SPH method used for characteristic predictions at Pelton turbine buckets: comparing with the mesh-based method

Abstract

PurposeThe research in this paper helps to understand the difference between the Eulerian method and the Lagrangian method in describing the performance of Pelton turbine buckets, so as to improve the design level and design efficiency of the runner.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used DualSPHysics to calculate the unsteady flow of the Pelton turbine runner bucket and compared it with the mesh-based method to explore the difference between mesh-based and particle-based methods in torque curves, jet flow patterns and pressure characteristics.FindingsIt is noted that the particle-based method is challenging to compare with the mesh-based method concerning accuracy. In addition to better describing the free water film, the particle method also captures many droplets near the water film, but it cannot well describe the negative pressure region on the bucket back and the resulting jet interference after cutting off the jet. Compared with the mesh-based method, the pressure measurement points obtained by the particle-based method generally have shorter periods and violent fluctuations, and the pressure value of some points is underestimated.Originality/valueThis paper helped to calculate the unsteady characteristics of the Pelton turbine by Fluent, CFX and DualSPHysics; exploration jet flow pattern differences between the mesh and meshfree methods; prediction of the flow interference between the bucket back and the jet and the pressure curve of SPH usually has a shorter period and violent fluctuations.