Intake Flow Simulation and Optimisation for Hydropower

Project Information

IFLOW

Grant agreement ID: 236296

Project closed

Start date 1 June 2009

End date 31 May 2011

Funded under

• Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Total cost € 0,00

EU contribution € 168 717,32

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDEN
Germany

Objective

The flow simulation and optimization in terms of the efficient water power utilization is the essential topic of the proposal. The main goals of the submitted project are: - To identify the negative influence of ill-designed intake structures at run-off river power plants on the water turbine efficiency and the rotor vibrations; - To find and prove the methodology of intake structure geometry optimization by means of the numerical flow simulation and the physical modelling, and to reach the best conditions for maximal turbine efficiency and its output. The project combines civil hydraulic engineering with mechanical hydraulic engineering. Turbine producers focus on the design of a runner and adjacent water passage, whereas civil engineers concentrate on a broader area of free surface. The project is going to solve the complex intake flow interdisciplinary concerning the entire intake section configuration. The fellow will thus utilize his recent expertise in both fields and to help bridging the existing gap between both civil and mechanical engineering. Undertaking of the project will also enable the fellow to acquire the better familiarity with CFD simulation methods and their implementation into hydropower and to deepen many other complementary skills. The excellent computation accessories of the host organization will be used for flow simulations. The computed results will be verified on a physical test model in the Hydraulic laboratory at the host institution too. Modern disturbance-free laser anemometry will be applied for measurements at physical model. Regarding the support of power renewable resources, the resolved problems are very current nowadays. There are lots of refurbishments of outdated low head run-off river power plants in order to increase higher efficiency of hydropower generation. That’s why it is important to deal with a question, to what extent the ill-shaped intake structures influence the turbine behaviour.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › mechanical engineering
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › energy and fuels › renewable energy › hydroelectricity
• engineering and technology › environmental engineering › natural resources management › water management
• engineering and technology › civil engineering › structural engineering › hydraulic engineering

Programme(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)

Topic(s)

• FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008 - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development"

Call for proposal

FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET DRESDEN

• EU contribution: € 168 717,32
• Address: HELMHOLTZSTRASSE 10 ; 01069 Dresden ; Germany
• Region: Sachsen › Dresden › Dresden, Kreisfreie Stadt
• Activity type: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Administrative Contact: Claudia Hawke (Ms.)
• Total cost: No data