Numerical Simulation of Hydraulic Turbine During Transient Operation Using OpenFOAM

Abstract Power generation from intermittent renewable energy resources (e.g. wind, solar) requires regulation of the electric grid. Although most hydraulic turbines are designed to work in their best efficiency points, nowadays they being used more often under varying operating conditions stabilize Unstable and fluid flow during transient operation cause significant pressure fluctuations load variations that could negatively affect turbine lifetime. Therefore, development high-fidelity numerical tools for operation, i.e. changing one condition another or start-up shut-down, is great importance lifetime prediction machines. In present work, we investigating capabilities OpenFOAM open-source CFD tool predict such phenomena. The time involves guide vane angles while runner rotating, which must thus also be allowed by employed techniques. high-head Francis-99 as a test case, due availability geometry rich experimental data. turbulence resolving computations performed using SAS model. results validated against data compared with each other terms accuracy usability. describing behaviors shutdown.