Hydrodynamic optimization of pump-turbine runner

Abstract

The paper suggests the approach to automatic CFD-based optimization of the pump-turbine runner. An in-house 3D flow solver CADRUN is used for the solution of steady-state RANS equations and evaluation of objective functions in representative operating points of turbine and pump operating regimes. Both efficiency and cavitation characteristics are taken into account. Two approaches have been considered, resulting in 4- and 3-objective shape optimization problems. These problems were solved using multi-objective genetic algorithm. It was shown that the obtained optimized runners feature increased efficiency both in turbine and pump mode with cavitation performance, similar to that of the initial runner.