Application of control-volume formulations to cross-flow turbine runners ‘Orlando Anibal Audisio Universidad Nacional del Comanhue Facultad de Ingenieria Departamento de Mecanica Aplicada Laboratorio de Maquinas Aplicada (LA.M.HL) Calle Buenos Aires 1.400 8300 Neuquen Argentina ABSTRACT ‘The aim ofthis work is 10 propose « mathematical model to calculate, under defined hypothesis, the theoretical percentage of encrgy that is obtained in each stage on cross flow turbine (CFT). This type of turbomachines is an impulse hydraulic machine. These results are obtained applying a control-volume formulation tothe angular momentum ‘conservation equation. The analysis is based upon the one-dimetional flow hypothesis fr both, design and off-design operating mode conditions. ‘The flow into the rumer is considerdinvisid, axisymmetric, ad steady with respect to the rummer. The control-volume considered is a stationary volume which include wholly the CFT ranner. thas been determined the infiuece of the nozzle shape, the pressure loss athe nozzle, the flow angle, the blade intake ‘aug and the loss ead at the runner blade onthe energy transfercace. The relation between the angle of the flow and the angle ofthe blade is considered to determine the upper surface curvature of the nozzle on order to obtain the optimal energy convertion, fos hydraulic into merchanic. The nozzle loss coefficient is calculated as «funtion ofthe unit speed. «and the flow angle. ‘The mathematical development allows the calculations of the energy that is obtained in each stage. In addition, it suggests that the second stage may have a much more significant fluence onthe overall efficiecy of the CFT. ‘An example is provided to demostrate how the first stage contributed with the 73,6 %, while the second stage contributed withthe 26,4 %to the overall perfomance. These theoretical results are significant forthe future planning ‘of model tests fr this type tarbine INTRODUCTION ‘The CFT is made up of two main parts, the runner and the nozzle. This machine has been so called, because its distinguishing feature 1s that the flow water passes, from the intake upto the out of the runner in across way. This hydro turbine has got a propelling runner witha radial flow and a partial admission. Itis appropriate to operate in small hydro power stations and itis eal for small ru-off-the-river operation, because its performance is much less dependent on flow rate than other model of hydroturbine. In addition it is characterized for its simplicity at manufacturing by at a local industry. ‘The rumners is squirel-cage-shaped.It isan assemblage of curved horizontal blades joined between two circular end plates to which the shaft gocs through. ‘The blades have to be designe to direct the flow inward to the open intemal space inside the cage and then to drain into the tail water outward through another set of blades in another par ofthe inser circumference FIGURE 1. That is, the flow of water that arrives from the outside nozzle to pass across the runner blades twice; in tis Way, the water flow carries out a double effect or a transference of water energy tothe shaft in two stages. ‘The CFT has gained and renewed interes inthe last few years due to: firstly, it has a strong poteatial at delivery energy st avery low cos; secondly, it maintains a munca performance ina wide flow rate; and thirdly, the cost of no renovable fact and ts noxious effects forthe natural euvionment has prompted the reactivation of small hydro powerplant of low head ‘The main aim in this work is to give a mathematical solution to calculate, in fimction of a given hypothesis, the theoretical percentage of energy that is obtained inthis type of machines in each stage which the flow passes through the blades of the runner. ‘Yor tt mater, the phyaics basic used inthe calating technique is the internal momentum conservation by applying the 205basic tecnica ofthe analysis of flow by means of the applications of the Reynolds theorem ofthe transportation that gives, ‘through a contol-volume, the equation ofthe angular momentum quantity. HYPOTHESIS “the exit velocity ofthe flow in the nozzle has generally « smaller value than that ofthe design one. This alteration makes ‘mincrease ofthe admission ange of the nozzle. This minorizing inthe velocity makes the pressure at nozzle exits higher than the atmospheric pressure, Some laboratory investigations of about the effect ofthe nozzle shape at the flow exit in the CFT has proved that the flow atthe ext nozae has a higher pressure than atmospheric pressure [1]. For this reason the conclusion is thatthe CFT is not «perfect impulse machine ‘The simplifying bypotbesis thatthe runner works at a constant pressure is taken into account inthis work. The parameter is equal to atmospheric pressure. Therefore, no difference isin the water flow of static pressure from the intake upto the ‘ute ofthe labyrinth existing between blades In this way the flow through a blades passage does not accelerate or diffuse Becanse ofthis hypothesis, the labyrinth formed fortwo consecutive blades and the eirculer curve plates donot Bl totally ‘with water in the operation nominal point. ‘The flow passes through this passage as «et deflecting along the pressure side of the blade. Consequently the flow will bave «8 consiat relative velocity trough the passage, itis considera frictionless flow (non vscos). ‘The maximum flow willbe determined by the smaller section ofthe passage, which is determined by the inner diameter side ofthe runner "ro" FIGURE 1 “Thc turbine will operat with constant admission and because of this the flow velocity is uniform throughout the intake and ‘out section. Ths is equivalent to adopt that the blade tangential velocity "U" and the direction of absolute flow velocity "Care constant. ‘Te changin the flow rate, on accomnt ofthe change inte head level reservoir cause a modification inthe velocity disgram. ‘According othe above paragraph, te flow rate condition is constant, The machine will work on a fixed function point. If ‘this point isthe nominal point, the velocity diagrams are as show in FIGURE 2. Strictly every Hud movement is tridimensional geometrically, since it locates inthe space a tri-dimensional place. To simplify the problems, however, is necessary to describe the phenomenon of flow by the smallest possible number of variables. That is why the one-dimensional theory is adopted. This theory of Bydranic machines describes the relation of te operating conditions (sped, torque, capacity, an ead) tothe overage flow velocities atthe inlet and discharge of raaner and tothe shape and sizeof the fluid passage in these machines. ‘The term overage flow velocity means the overage over the particular region ofthe machine being considered, that isto say, over the cross section ofa fluid passage. Furthemore, we may consider the flow is steady with respec othe runner and sxialy symmetrical. MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT In bydraulic turbomachine, the most important partis the rumner. Therefor, at the inlet or outlet of the computational domain around the runner, boundary conditions must be specified {tis important to point out thatthe flow of fd goes through a well-defined passage usually long in comparison with the dimensions of the cross sections. This allows tha the fluid viscosity or the friction stress is not conclusively influenced on the force which operate between the runner andthe fui. ‘Therefore, the prevailing forces are those which cerrospond to because of the inercia efforts of the fluid mass. They are ‘efforts controlled by the physical law in thatthe force s equal to the produc ofthe mass and the acceration (Newton's second law of motion). ‘Tocary ot the analisys a stationary conro volume is considered which include thoroughly the CFT runner, as is show in FIGURE |. ‘The control surface cuts the shaft of the runner at both sides ofthis wheel. In addition the atmospheric pressure is always ‘found inal this control surface. Then the only torque originated is the couple by transmitted tothe runner by the shaft If the runner of the machine is considered as free body, and with constant rotation speed, the couple exerting bythe shaft on the runner, is equal and contrary othe couple developed by the action of the flow on the runner. ‘The most general equation ofthe movement quantity mormentum is: IM=EM, +Eng=f 2,Vo (Veda) + (uy 206‘The Ho is permanent and the pressure is equal othe atmospheric one. Considering FIGURE | the following expression is obtalfed for first and second stage respectively MRC, LOC. *A] +E AC, LOC, XAL] 2) ‘According tothe FIGURE (2) and applying the Bemouli’s equation the meridian flow velocity and the absolute flow velocity is: C,,=C,in (,) =W,sin(B,) ) 3) ‘Substituting the above equations in expression (2, the couple is given by 4,,=R20K,sin (a4) 0, H,£,B(4-0458*10™) [ 2] (5) Considering the FIGURE 2, the couple for second stage is S20 (4) yg an, (4.0458%10° aM RO py MP aaa (4 ) (6) The percentage of energy which is obtained in each ofthis stage is: 3 >=) 100 Zein(By m gel 100 (8) Tiny! ‘With the equation (5) and (6) the final expression of movement quantity momentum that contribute the flow uid in each stage with has been obtained. This equations are mainly in function of hydraulic and geometrical parameters. For that reason, and to obtain the percentage ‘of energy in each stage itis necessary to calculate and/or to establish this parameters which can be abridged in: Geometry of Nozzle, Nozzles Loss Coefficient (Ke), Blades Loss Coefficient (Ks), Angle of Absolute Velocity (ai), and Angle Relative (6). 207