Abstract
This study investigates the fluid flow through the runner of an exceptionally low specific speed Francis’ turbine using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict some performance characteristic of the runner, and to determine the effect of cavitation on the flow features within the turbine. It employs FLUENT CFD codes for the analysis. The study was carried out under steady conditions in two- dimensional analysis, primarily using the RNG k-ε turbulence model. It is mainly on single phase analysis; however a single case of two-phase cavitation modeling was performed in order to evaluate cavitation effects. The hydraulic losses were much dependent on the inlet flow velocity and less dependent on the rotational speed. Cavitation occurred throughout the flow domain and this led to non-physical negative pressure predictions for the single phase analysis. For a fixed discharge, cavitation had significant effect on the prediction of the torque and hence the runner efficiency obtained from the CFD analysis. It causes a significant reduction of the runner efficiency by increasing the hydraulic losses and should be considered in the analysis of the flow features within a runner which is likely to experiences cavitation in order to overcome some of the shortcomings of the single phase predictions.
Department
Mechanical Engineering Department
Degree Name
MS in Mechanical Engineering
Date of Award
6-1-2008
Online Submission Date
February 2013
First Advisor
Serag El Din, Amr
Committee Member 1
Serag El Din, Amr
Committee Member 2
Sabry, Ashraf
Document Type
Thesis
Extent
107 p.
Rights
The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.
IRB
Not necessary for this item
Recommended Citation
APA Citation
Anthony, W.
(2008).Analysis of the flow through a Francis' turbine runner using computational fluid dynamics [Thesis, the American University in Cairo]. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/retro_etds/2313
MLA Citation
Anthony, William. Analysis of the flow through a Francis' turbine runner using computational fluid dynamics. 2008. American University in Cairo, Thesis. AUC Knowledge Fountain.
https://fount.aucegypt.edu/retro_etds/2313