Analysis of hydraulic performance for Kaplan turbine components based on CFD simulation

Abstract

Kaplan turbine is a kind of reaction turbine which is widely used in medium and low head section in China. Generally, flow passage of Kaplan turbine is composed of five components: semi-spiral case, stay vane, guide vane, runner and draft tube. The hydraulic performance of these components has an important impact on turbine efficiency. In this paper, 3D internal flow of about 15 Kaplan turbines is simulated by CFD method, the hydraulic performance of each component is predicted, and the calculation results are statistically analyzed. It can provide reference and direction for the designers involved in the design and research field of Kaplan turbine.