Experimental investigation of a Kaplan draft tube – Part II: Off-design conditions

Off-design conditions of hydropower turbines are becoming more frequent with the deregulation of electricity markets and the introduction of renewable energy resources. Originally, turbines were not built to operate under such conditions. It is evident that there is a need to develop turbines that can operate under off-design conditions while attaining high efficiency. This may be achieved with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). However, the complexity of Kaplan turbine flows is challenging to treat using CFD. Therefore, detailed experimental investigations are necessary to validate and develop CFD.This paper presents an investigation of a modern design Kaplan turbine model. The measurements were performed in the draft tube with laser Doppler anemometry and flush-mounted pressure sensors, with a focus on the part load and high load operation of the turbine. Mean and phase-averaged quantities are presented for the velocity and pressure along several sections. A contra-rotating flow region was observed under high load operation. Under part load operation, a rotating vortex rope (RVR) develops due to vortex breakdown. The presence of the RVR significantly reduces the draft tube performance.

► The flow in a hydraulic Kaplan draft tube is investigated experimentally at off design conditions: part load and high load. ► Detailed phase-resolved velocity and pressure measurements are presented. ► A vortex breakdown is present at part load. ► Flow development, turbulence quantities and methodology are discussed in details.