Energy Losses Due to Air Admission in Hydroturbines

by Charles W. Almquist, Principia Research Corp, Knoxville, United States,
Paul N. Hopping, Principia Research Corp, Knoxville, United States,
Patrick A. March, Principia Research Corp, Knoxville, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Admission of air at the exit of a hydroturbine runner is an attractive technique for raising dissolved oxygen levels downstream of a hydro plant. The air admission, however, is generally accompanied by a loss in turbine efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to identify and determine the magnitude of the major efficiency loss mechanisms. It is argued that the bulk of the losses occur in the draft tube, not in the runner itself. The analysis is supported by data obtained at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Norris Hydro Plant. The implications of this analysis for scaling and physical model testing of vented turbines are also discussed.

Subject Headings: Hydro power | Power plants | Turbines | Energy loss | Dissolved oxygen | Hydraulic models | Energy dissipation | Tennessee | United States

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