Retrofitting of Pressurized Sand Traps in Hydropower Plants

Unlined pressure tunnels in sound rock, combined with pressurized sand traps at the downstream end, allow for low-cost construction of hydropower tunnel systems. This design concept is utilized plants across world. Currently, many such power are being upgraded higher installed capacity, which may result challenges trap efficiency. A physical scale model test, accompanied by 3D CFD simulations a case study trap, has been studied economic retrofitting. The geometric 1:36.67 while velocity and sediment 1:1 (same average flow size prototype). currently an uncommon scaling approach but several advantages, as presented this paper. Various options retrofitting were investigated. structure ramp ribs was found to significantly improve main novelties from work proposed rib structure. Secondary results include efficient setup models methodology that combines benefits testing engineering design.