Numerical modelling of flow field at shaft spillways with the marguerite-shaped inlets

Abstract

By decreasing the entrained air flow discharge and improving the hydraulic characteristics of vertical shaft spillways, Marguerite-shaped inlets (MSIs) can mitigate the effects of swirling flow surrounding their inlet. The hydraulic and hydrodynamic characteristics of flow around MSIs under orifice flow regime were numerically investigated, applying different geometrical parameters. This inlet configuration can decrease the strength of swirling flow and increase the flow discharge through the shaft. The finite-volume method and the re-normalisation group k–ε turbulence model were employed to solve the governing equations of motion in a cylindrical coordinate system and a two-phase air–water flow on the water free-surface. Increasing the height and length of the blades of the MSIs was found to increase the area of the barriers against swirling flow, weaken the swirling flow strength, engender a more uniform flow and lower the water free-surface level. Extremely long or high blades, however, resulted in an intense collision of the flow with the spillway and increased the water free-surface level and the swirling flow strength at the MSI.