PARAMETRIC STUDY OF FLOWFIELD IN THE FRANCIS TURBINE USING MODELLING AND SIMULATION

Abstract

One popular hydraulic turbine that is essential to the production of hydropower is the Francis turbine. In the quest for economical and sustainable energy solutions, optimising its performance and efficiency is crucial. The goal of this research is to use sophisticated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques to do a thorough numerical characterisation of the flow field inside Francis turbines. This study aims to accomplish two main goals. First and foremost, it aims to create thorough visuals and numerical depictions of important flow characteristics, such as pressure contours, velocity contours, shear wall contours, and velocity streamlines for every turbine part. Second, it compares and analyses the differences between the turbine's input and exit areas in terms of pressure, velocity, shear wall, and mass flux. Modern CFD software (ANSYS Fluent) is used for the numerical calculations. It uses turbulence models and complicated numerical techniques to precisely represent the intricate flow dynamics inside the turbine. The Francis turbine components' high-fidelity three-dimensional geometries serve as the foundation for the simulations, guaranteeing accurate depictions of the flow domain. By identifying areas of high or low pressure, which can have a substantial impact on the turbine's performance and structural integrity, the pressure contours produced in this study offer important insights about the pressure distribution throughout the turbine. A thorough grasp of the flow patterns is provided by velocity contours and streamlines, which show regions of high velocity as well as possible flow separations or recirculation zones. In order to evaluate the shear loads operating on the turbine components—which may cause erosion and cavitation and ultimately result in premature component failure—shear wall contours are essential. In order to maximise the turbine's mass flow distribution and reduce energy losses, it is also essential to analyse the differences in mass flux between the intake and output zones. The study's conclusions have important ramifications for Francis turbine operation, optimisation, and design. Turbine makers and designers can use the comprehensive visualisations and quantitative data produced by the CFD simulations to help them find possible areas for development, such as changing component designs, improving flow conditions, or putting sophisticated flow control techniques into practice.