Efficiency and Cavitation Effects of Hydroturbine Venting

by R. Keith Jones, TVA Engineering Lab, Norris, United States,
Patrick A. March, TVA Engineering Lab, Norris, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

Volkart and Bohac et al. have summarized much of the past work on aeration of hydroturbine releases to improve downstream water quality. Conventional alternatives for increasing dissolved oxygen levels in hydropower releases include selective withdrawal intakes, weirs, surface pumps, diffusers, and compressors. Alabama Power Company pioneered the use of draft tube baffles to pull air directly into hydroturbines and increase aeration over a wider range of operating conditions (Buck et al., 1980). At its Norris Hydro Plant, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has installed hub baffles which create localized low pressure areas and aspirate air into the turbine discharge. This paper describes tests conducted to evaluate the effect of these hub baffles on hydroturbine efficiency and cavitation.

Subject Headings: Hydro power | Water intakes | Dissolved oxygen | Cavitation | Baffles (hydraulic) | Turbines | Aeration | United States | Alabama | Tennessee

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