Numerical Study On Hydraulic Characteristics Of Intakes Of Hydropower Stations

With the development of China’s hydropower project, The installed capacity ofhydropower plant is gradually increasing. Therefore, the design and operationcondition of the intake of hydropower station have been put forward higher technicalrequirement. The flow conditions in the intake of hydropower station are verycomplex. The study should be done on the hydraulic characteristics of the intake,which can guide the project construction.It should be ensured that the flow is smooth, symmetric and stable in the intake atall water-levels in operation, and the head loss should be reduced as much as possible.The hydraulic characteristics of intakes of some representative hydropower stationsare studied numerically by3D k εturbulent model. The representative hydropowerstations are Ertan hydropower station, Xiaowan hydropower station, Hongjiaduhydropower station and TianshengqiaoⅠhydropower station. The general regulations,which be got from analyzing and summarizing the results, will supply references tothe design of analogous engineering.Compared the physical model experiment results with the numerical results ofNuo Zhadu hydropower station, which include head loss and velocity distribution infront of the intake, the results from the two methods is coincidental. The numericalresults are tested validly by the physical model experiment results. It is proved theresults got from this method which has been adopted to study the hydrauliccharacteristics of the intake are authentic.The head losses of the intakes of Xiaowan hydropower station, Hongjiaduhydropower station, Tianshengqiao Ⅰ hydropower station and Ertan hydropowerstation are different, and the reasons have been analyzed.The flow state of the intakes of Xiaowan hydropower station, Hongjiaduhydropower station, Ertan hydropower station is stable, while it is unstable inTianshengqiaoⅠhydropower station. Velocity in front of the intake is higher withinthe height range of the intake and around the axes of the intake.Based on the study of the above intakes of different hydropower stations, the flowof intakes with bellmouth is smooth and symmetric, which meet the designrequirement of intake. The research achievement can guide the design of relatedprojects.