A Review of Critical Stable Sectional Areas for the Surge Tanks of Hydropower Stations

Abstract

The critical stable sectional area (CSSA) for surge tanks corresponds to the critical stable state of hydropower stations and is an important index to evaluate the stability of the turbine regulation system. The research on CSSA for surge tanks is always one of the most important topics in the area of transient processes of hydropower stations. The CSSA for surge tanks provides the value basis for the sectional area of surge tanks. In engineering practice, the CSSA for surge tanks is widely used to guide their hydraulic design. This paper provides a systematic literature review about the CSSA for surge tank of hydropower stations. Firstly, the CSSA for surge tanks based on hydraulic transients is discussed. Secondly, the CSSA for surge tanks based on hydraulic-mechanical-electrical coupling transients is presented. Thirdly, the CSSA for air cushion surge tanks is illustrated. Finally, the CSSA for combined surge tanks, i.e., upstream and downstream double surge tanks and upstream series double surge tanks, is presented. In future research, the CSSA for surge tanks of pumped storage power stations should be explored. The CSSA for surge tanks considering multi-energy complement is worth studying.