A siphon well model for hydraulic performance optimization and bubble elimination

•A new method was proposed to improve the hydraulic performance and bubble elimination.•The diversion pier and diversion grid were used to stabilize the flow pattern.•Double multi-hole orifices were arranged after the weir.•The new method has a simpler construction and greater bubble elimination.

In coastal nuclear power plants, bubble entrainment at the hydraulic jump in the siphon well causes foam pollution and salt fog erosion near the outfall of the siphon well. Thus, bubble elimination in siphon wells has been a topic of considerable interest. This study presents a new hydraulic performance optimization and bubble elimination method based on model experiments. Compared to previous methods, the new method has a simple structure, is effective in eliminating bubbles and is well adapted to different tide levels. The method mainly uses a diversion pier, diversion grid and multi-hole orifices to improve the hydraulic performance, thus reducing bubble entrainment at the hydraulic jump and shortening the bubble movement length in the siphon well. This study provides a valuable reference for the future siphon well design of coastal power plants.