Evaluation of the prototype performance of Wanjiazhai Francis turbine with flow pattern analysis

Abstract

Abstract Multiple Francis turbines are installed in Wanjiazhai water conservancy project to generate electricity, and the operating conditions of the units vary greatly. Because the unit head itself is not high, and the parameters such as head, flow and output vary widely, the operation of the unit becomes very complex. Aiming at this problem, this study predicts and analyzes different typical operating conditions during the operation of the unit, and compares them with the field measured results. The analysis of Prototype unit helps us understand the actual flow state inside the unit and observe the possible complex flow phenomenon. Therefore, the distribution of vortices inside the unit is analyzed in depth, and the flow structures inside the volute, stay vane, guide vane, runner and draft tube are compared to serve the safe and stable operation.