Effect of flow directing blades on the hydraulic performance of the draft tube of a Kaplan turbine

Abstract

Most of the research and studies are working to develop clean energy generation systems, Especially in the water turbine that are used curved draft tube.

The shapes and characteristics of draft tube vary, and the curved elbow channel is considered the most important one due to its great role in raising the efficiency of the water turbine, through its three main parts, which are the entry spreader, the suction elbow and the exit spreader.

The cyclonic vortex formed at the entrance to the canal is considered one of the most negative factors affecting on efficiency. Therefore, work has been done in this research to present the factors affecting the hydraulic performance of the draft tube and ways to raise it through the use of vortex breakers that Mitigation of losses and turbulence caused by cyclonic vortices in addition to computer simulation using Ansys fluent programe.