The Twin Vortex Draft Tube Surge

by Tony L. Wahl, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, United States,
Morris M. Skinner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, United States,
Henry T. Falvey, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Boise, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '91: A New View of Hydro Resources

Abstract:

Recent studies conducted at Colorado State University using a model of the 700-MW turbines at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Grand Coulee Third Powerplant indicate that in specific regions of the turbine hill curve a twin vortex draft tube surge exists. Extensive pressure fluctuation data were collected from transducers mounted at the draft tube throat, and dimensionless pressure and frequency parameters were calculated. The twin vortex produced pressure fluctuations at 2 1/2 -3 times the frequency typically associated with draft tube surging, and the pressure parameter was reduced in the twin vortex region. Evidence from the literature suggests that the twin vortex also occurs in other similar units.

Subject Headings: Vortices | Turbines | Power plants | Hydro power | Flow measurement | Water flow | Parameters (statistics)

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