Transient CFD Analysis of a Pelton Turbine

The performance evaluation to upgrade an existing hydropower plant

ABSTRACT

Hydropower is no doubt a major source of green power generation. Pelton turbines are widely used in hydropower generation because they are the most efficient type of water turbine available today.

Franco Tosi - a leader in the production of hydraulic and power steam turbines whose products are installed in 40 countries around the world - engaged EnginSoft's services to assist in the performance evaluation that needed to be done to upgrade an existing hydropower plant. The study was specific to a Pelton turbine that needed to be upgraded.

EnginSoft developed a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis methodology for the project.

This was an essential step in acquiring sufficient data to assist in the design that was ultimately used to upgrade the turbine in this power plant. The analysis methodology was applied to an existing machine in order to compute the actual turbine efficiency.

"EnginSoft gave us an impressive insight into the fluid dynamics of such a complex machine. They helped us develop a CFD analysis procedure to use for performance evaluation in addition to providing us with the results of a specific design."

Emanuel Pesatori
Franco Tosi Meccanica S.p.A.