Hydraulic Analysis Kaplan Blading

P M V Subbarao Professor

Mechanical Engineering Department

Infusion of Aerofoil Theory.

Design of Kaplan Runner

Drunner

Dhub

DESIGN OF THE BLADE

Two different views of a blade

Hydrodynamics of Kaplan Blade

Design of Blade Many factors play significant roles in design of blade. The leading edge is thicker than the trailing edge for a streamlined flow. Furthermore, the blade should to be as thin as possible to improve the cavitation characteristics; It is thicker near the flange becoming thinner and thinner towards the tip. In addition, the blade has to be distorted on the basis of the tangential velocity. The Tragflgel theorie is also an important factor in defining the shape of the profile and the distortion of the blade.

Distortion of the blade under ideal circumstances

The velocity triangles, which occur on the blade, play a significant role in determining its distortion.

Uwheel Vfi

Cylindrical Cut Section

Uwheel Vfi

Uwheel Vfe

Blade Distortion : Mean Velocity Traingle

Vrg
re

V fi ! V fe

Vwi  Vwe 2

ri

To define the distortion of the blade, the velocity triangles of at least six different radiuses of the blade are to be determined. The angle of each radius gives conclusions on the distortion of the blade. The actual blade angles are calculated based on real fluid dynamics

The Tragflgeltheorie Vr

Vri

D L

Angle of attack
Angle of attack

H v
Average relative velocity

Pressure distribution and torque

0,24 l

Cord length, l

The pressure at the outlet is lower for a cascade than Suction side for a single profile. The cavitation performance will therefore be reduced in a cascade.

Pressure side Single profile Cascade

Radial distribution of the blade profile

F ! 180  F g

C = ift coefficient for a cascade C 1 = ift coefficient for a single profile The ratio t/l influences the lift coefficient in a cascade. The cord length for a blade will therefore increase when the radius becomes increase

CAVITATION
Cavitation occurs especially at spots where the pressure is low. In the case of a Kaplan turbine, the inlet of the runner is quite susceptible to it. At parts with a high water flow velocity cavitation might also arise. The major design criteria for blades is : Avoid Cavitation. First it decreases the efficiency and causes crackling noises. The main problem is the wear or rather the damage of the turbines parts such as the blades. Cavitation does not just destroy the parts, chemical properties are also lost.

The suction head

The suction head Hs is the head where the turbine is installed; if the suction head is positive, the turbine is located above the trail water; if it is negative, the turbine is located under the trail water. To avoid cavitation, the range of the suction head is limited. The maximum allowed suction head can be calculated using the following equation:

Hs !

patm  pvap

Vg

V   WH net 2g
1.46 s

2 de

W ! 1.5241v N

V  2 gH net

2 de

Number of vanes, z:

Ns !
l/t Z

N P in hp
5

z Z

Ns

Characteristics of Blades
Blade lift coefficient at a given radius:

C L ,cascade

pat  pmin 2  2 gH s  L draft  ae  Vde V V  V2 V ! 2 KVrg

2 re 2 rg

Ldraft: Efficiency of draft tube: 0.88 to 0.91 K : Profile characteristic number: 2.6 to 3.0

When the lifting coefficient is known, the sufficiency of ratio l/t can be established as follows: At each Radius:

l gLturbine ! 2 Vrg t

V flow U blade

1
,cascade

cos P sin   F i  P 180

The angle of slip has to be assumed; the range for the assumption is ; = 2.5 to 3

Cascade Effect

C L ,cascade C L ,single

A Small Curse ..Proportional to Boon ? Clift

Cdrag