Axial-Flow Pump as Turbine

Research activities

Numerical simulation with waves in upstream reservoir.
Flow instability of an axial flow pump as turbine with influence of upstream waves.
Omega vortex identification usage.

Projects

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, countries around the world have been developing hydropower as a mature renewable energy technology. At the same time, small hydropower stations have become a focus of attention due to their environmental friendliness, low operating costs, and low reservoir costs. In practical applications, pumps as turbines (PAT) are widely used to reduce equipment costs. Among pumps with different specific speeds, axial flow pumps have higher power density and return on investment due to their larger flow rate and higher power output under the same head. For pump stations constructed along the coast and rivers, free surface wave fluctuations, such as upstream waves, can have a significant impact on the normal operation of PAT. Especially for short-flow axial-flow pumping stations, the large fluctuations in water level caused by bad weather will inevitably affect the internal flow state evolution and operational stability of the PAT system.
The purpose of this study is to capture the morphology of vortices using the Omega vortex identification technique and investigate the relationship between upstream waves and the evolution of properties within the PAT system to facilitate the development of reverse power generation in coastal axial flow pumping stations.