1.

Simulation Methodology
The methodology is adopted in four steps. The first step is the preparation of geometry as per
prototype machine dimension, second step is meshing the geometry of each parts, third step
provides the boundary condition as per data available from site selected and last step is the
simulating the model and observe the results in the post processor.

The specification of the 14 kW Francis turbine is listed below:

1. Design Head : 16 m
2. Design Flow: 100 LPS
3. Types of Turbine : Fixed Vane Francis Turbine
4. Diameter of Inlet: 167 mm
5. Diameter of outlet: 202 mm
6. Number of blades : 11
7. Rotational speed of turbine: 1500
8. Design Torque : 89.12 N-m

1.1 Modeling & Meshing

Francis turbine, the machine is divided in four components: spiral casing, guide vanes, runner
and draft tube. Fig 1 shows the 3D model of the Francis turbine.

Figure 1 3D Computational Flow Domain for the Francis Turbine

 The computational domain consists of unstructured tetrahedral mesh. Similarly inflation was
added to obtain accurate results. Detail of mesh statics in each component is given in Table 1:

Table 1 Detail of mesh statics

Domain Nodes Elements

Draft Tube 75911 72534
Guide Vane 84287 426882
Runner 1738880 1625250
Spiral Casing 1619961 9414427
All Domains 3519039 11539093

1.2 Boundary Conditions

The four components have been used in simulation and complete CFD analysis system was
accomplished at a plant sigma factor (σp) of 0.45. Fig. 2 presents the locations of the boundary
conditions and numerical computational domains of the turbine.

Figure 2 Computational Domain of Francis Turbine model

Mass flow rate at inlet and pressure at outlet are widely accepted boundary conditions for the
simulation of hydraulic turbo machines but total pressure of 2.6 atm at inlet and 1 atm static
pressure at outlet was used in the simulation of the turbine for maintaining constant head. The
casing, guide vanes and draft tube are stationary components while runner is considered under
rotation. Rotational speed of the runner is considered 1500 rpm and components are attached
with others by domain interface. SST turbulence model is used and a convergence criterion of
maximum 1E-4 is considered with high resolution scheme. The SST model was used as it has
advantage of the strength of the k-ɛ (free flow) and the k- ω model (close to wall). For the
cavitation case, the volume fraction of vapour and water were considered to be 0 and 1
respectively.

Numerical simulation has been performed in operating range from part load to full load.
Different flow rates conditions from part load to full load along with different values of guide
vane angle are considered.

2. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

2.1 Hydraulic Efficiency Characteristics
The hydraulic efficiency is calculated using the relation which can be defined as:

Where; Pti and pto are calculated of the total pressure [Pa] at inlet of casing and outlet of draft
tube respectively, ω is angular speed of runner [rad/s]. T is the torque [Nm] produced by runner,
ρ is the density of fluid [kg/m3] and g is the acceleration due to the gravity [m/s2].

The hydraulic efficiency has been computed by using Eq. (1) and compared with model testing
results. In addition, simulations are carried out at different guide vane angles for different mass
flow rates. It has been found that maximum efficiency is obtained at rated load condition (BEP).

Fig. 2 shows the comparison of the experimental and numerical hydraulic efficiency under
cavitation and without cavitation conditions at different operating points. It is seen that the
efficiency of the turbine increases initially up to rated discharge and the decreases.

It has been found that efficiency under cavitation condition was decreased by 4.31%, 0.98% and
2.1% for part load, rated load and full load operating conditions respectively.
 Flow Rate VS Efficiency
95

90

85
Efficiency (%)

80

75

70

65
0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14
Flow Rate (m3/s)

No cavitation (%) Cavitation (%)

Figure 3 Graph between Flow Rate and Efficiency

2.2 Pressure Distribution Over Runner

The pressure distribution over runner for part load, rated load and full load conditions is obtained
as shown in Fig. 4. It has been found that pressure decreases from inlet of casing to outlet of draft
tube due to extraction of energy, and velocity increases from inlet to the outlet of the runner as
per the characteristics of reaction turbine.

A small variation of pressure distribution is observed over the surface of the blade under part
load condition. However, more pressure difference has been found at full load condition in
comparison to rated load condition. It has been observed that the low pressure value observed at
suction side of trailing edge under full load condition.
Without Cavitation Under Cavitation

Part Load

BEP

Full Load

Fig 4 Pressure Distribution on Runner without Cavitation and under Cavitation

2.3 Volume Fraction of Water Vapor
The volume fraction of vapor is an important parameter for predicting cavitating flow in hydro
turbines. The quantity is a fraction varies between 0 and 1, with a value of 1 indicating 100 % of
vapor bubbles. The vapor bubbles are not seen under part load condition, but over load
conditions these are observed relatively in more quantum at suction side of the runner. However,
amount of vapor bubble are found to be marginal at leading edge of the blade at rated load
condition is shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 13a illustrates the volume fraction of water vapor distribution
over runner blade at over load condition. The quantum of vapor volume fraction has found to be
increased from part load to over load condition.

Fig 5 Part Load (78%)

 Fig 6 BEP

Figure 7 Full Load (131%)

It is clearly seen that the more vapor bubbles are formulated at suction side of runner blade
(leading edge) as illustrated as Fig. 5, Fig 6 and Fig. 7. The results obtained are found to be on
similar lines of results reported in earlier studies (Chrisopher, 1994). Fig. 14 indicates the
location of the cavitation damage. The numerical result has shown qualitative agreement for the
location and extent of the cavitating zone.

2.4 Vortex Rope

Vortex rope can be investigated in the simulation by an iso-surface of vapor volume fraction,
pressure and velocity. In order to evaluate the 3D shape and the extent of cavity, iso-surface of
pressure represents vortex ropes in the draft tube at plant sigma factor as obtained and is shown
in Fig. 10 at part load, rated load and overload conditions. It shows a qualitative assessment of
the cavity boundary.

It is clearly seen that the vortex rope phenomena is not observed at part load and rated load
conditions. While at overload condition, straight vortex rope formation has been observed. A
similar phenomenon of picture was observed in earlier studies as shown in Fig. 11. The
numerical result has shown the shape of the vortex rope at over load which is very similar in
nature with other studies (Avellan et al., 2004; Einar, 2010; Simen, 2011).
 Part Load

BEP

Full Load
Figure 8 Iso-surface of Pressure in the Draft Tube