Optimisation of Pelton turbine jet deflector using CFD analysis

Abstract

The high head Pelton turbines operate with extreme conditions. In case to need a sudden stop of operation, one of the important parts is jet deflector, which can be in push-out, or cut-of options. The paper presents the optimisation procedure of Pelton Turbine push-out jet deflector shape using numerical simulation of three-dimensional turbulent flow in order to minimize the forces, stresses, deformations and torque of jet deflector servomotor. The calculations are performed using the CFD package Ansys CFX. The steps for flow modelling, 3-D geometry definition, mesh generation, pre-processing and post-processing, as well as the optimised results obtained from the numerical simulation of the flow in the jet-deflector are presented. The work corresponds with the actual approach of methods development for flow simulation and calculations of Pelton Turbines. The kinematic and dynamic flow parameters are calculated based on CFD simulations. The results of the calculations represents reliable tool in the procedure of development and construction of Pelton Turbines parts.