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.

Tools

FacilityPump Facility

Mesh ToolsICEM

CFD ToolsANSYS CFX

Post Processing ToolsANSYS

Contacts

Publications

    2025

    Yin, Tingyun; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Compressibility characteristics of transient sheet/cloud cavitation – a numerical survey Journal Article

    In: International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 162, 2025, ISSN: 07351933.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Condensation Shock, Energy conversion, Shock Wave

    Yin, Tingyun; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Interpreting proper orthogonal decomposition modes extracted from partial cavity oscillation Journal Article

    In: Physics of Fluids, vol. 37, iss. 1, 2025, ISSN: 10897666.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Cavity, Orthogonal Decomposition

    Shen, Jiantao; Jia, Xuanwen; Cheng, Li; Jiao, Weixuan; Zhang, Bowen; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Investigation into the coupling mechanism of tailwater vortex dynamics and cavitation during pump-as-turbine operations Journal Article

    In: Physics of Fluids, vol. 37, iss. 10, 2025, ISSN: 10897666.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, PAT, Pump as Turbine

    Yin, Tingyun; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Several compressible computational fluid dynamics methods applied to transient sheet/cloud cavitation Journal Article

    In: Physics of Fluids, vol. 37, iss. 2, 2025, ISSN: 10897666.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Cloud cavitation, Sheet Cavitation

    Yin, Tingyun; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Study of sheet cavitation on a pitching hydrofoil Proceedings Article

    In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Institute of Physics, 2025, ISSN: 17426596.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Pitching Hydrofoil, Sheet Cavitation

    2023

    Yin, Tingyun; Pavesi, Giorgio; Yuan, Shouqi

    Influenced of Bio-Inspired Leading-Edge Tubercle on Cloud Cavitation Around NACA 0009 Hydrofoil Proceedings Article

    In: ETC, (Ed.): Proceedings of 15th European Conference on Turbomachinery Fluid dynamics & Thermodynamics ETC15, April 24-28 2023; Budapest, Hungary, pp. 1-14, ETC, 2023.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bio-Inspired, Cavitation, Hydrofoil, Tubercle

    2019

    Yin, Tingyun; Pavesi, Giorgio; Pei, Ji; Yuan, Shouqi; Daniel, Nana Adu

    Comparison of Various Turbulence Models Applied to a Twisted Hydrofoil Journal Article

    In: Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Cavitation (CAV2018), iss. 5, pp. 269-275, 2019.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Turbulence Model, Twisted Hydrofoil, unsteady shedding

    2015

    Cavazzini, Giovanna; Pavesi, Giorgio; Santolin, Alberto; Ardizzon, Guido; Lorenzi, Renzo

    Using splitter blades to improve suction performance of centrifugal impeller pumps Journal Article

    In: Institution of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 3, iss. 229, pp. 309-323, 2015, ISSN: 0957-6509.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Centrifugal Pump, date received, Plesset Cavitation Model, Rayleigh, Rayleigh-Plesset, Splitter Blades, suction performance

    2014

    Rossetti, Antonio; Pavesi, Giorgio; Ardizzon, Guido; Santolin, Alberto

    Numerical Analyses of Cavitating Flow in a Pelton Turbine Journal Article

    In: Journal of Fluids Engineering, vol. 136, iss. 8, pp. 081304, 2014, ISSN: 0098-2202.

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, CFD, Multiphase Flow, Pelton

    2013

    Pavesi, Giorgio; Rossetti, Antonio; Santolin, Alberto; Ardizzon, Guido

    Numerical Analyses of a Cavitating Pelton Turbine Proceedings Article

    In: 10th European Conference on Turbomachinery Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, ETC 2013, pp. 1-12, 2013, ISSN: 24104833.

    Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, CFD, Pelton Turbine

    1996

    Pallabazzer, Rodolfo; Mancuso, G.; Maschio, R. Dal; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Diagnosi Acustica della Cavitazione Erosiva su Profili (Risultati Preliminari) Proceedings Article

    In: 51° Congresso Nazionale ATI, pp. 1001-1011, 1996.

    Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Erosion, Noise (Sound)

    1994

    Ardizzon, Guido; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Caratterizzazione Sperimentale del Comportamento a Cavitazione delle Pompe Centrifughe: Confronto fra Metodologie Convenzionali e Tecniche di Analisi Acustica Proceedings Article

    In: 49° Congresso Nazionale ATI, pp. 1559-1570, SGE - Padova, 1994.

    Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Acustic Cavitation, Cavitation, Pump

    Ardizzon, Guido; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Ottimizzazione della Geometria della Bocca di Aspirazione delle Pompe Centrifughe nei Riguardi dell'Innesco della Cavitazione Proceedings Article

    In: 49° Congresso Nazionale ATI, pp. 1533-1544, SGE - Padova, 1994.

    Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Optimisation, Pump

    1993

    Pavesi, Giorgio; Ardizzon, Guido

    Sulla Progettazione delle Turbopompe Centrifughe nei Riguardi della Cavitazione Proceedings Article

    In: Congresso Nazionale "Macchine e Apparecchiature Idrauliche", pp. 543-562, 1993.

    Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Pump, Pump Design

    1992

    Ardizzon, Guido; Pavesi, Giorgio

    Experimental study on cavitation in centrifugal pump impellers Journal Article

    In: 47. ATI national congress, vol. II, pp. 847 - 856, 1992, (Query date: 2017-05-06).

    Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Cavitation, Pump