A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models
Francis turbines are used extensively in hydropower facilities because of their great efficiency and versatility in a wider range of operations. In high specific speed turbines, part-load (PL) operations and cavitating conditions introduce highly complex internal flow structures that are challenging...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19942060.2025.2538811 |
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| author | Mohammad Abu Shahzer Duc-Anh Nguyen Jin-Hyuk Kim |
| author_facet | Mohammad Abu Shahzer Duc-Anh Nguyen Jin-Hyuk Kim |
| author_sort | Mohammad Abu Shahzer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Francis turbines are used extensively in hydropower facilities because of their great efficiency and versatility in a wider range of operations. In high specific speed turbines, part-load (PL) operations and cavitating conditions introduce highly complex internal flow structures that are challenging to predict accurately while keeping computational costs reasonable. This study offers a detailed comparison of various turbulence models under these demanding conditions and highlights the most effective model that successfully captures the flow intricacies with an optimal balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. Using various turbulence models, including scale adaptive simulation-shear stress transport (SAS-SST), SST, standard [Formula: see text], and standard [Formula: see text], this study examines the internal flow characteristics and performance of a Francis turbine with a specific speed of 276 under PL with cavitation inception point. The investigation shows how well the transient nature of flow inside the high-class turbine under cavitation condition is predicted by different turbulence models. Both steady and unsteady numerical simulations were performed, and the results were verified against experimental data. The SAS-SST model performs better than other models in resolving unsteady flow patterns, forecasting transient phenomena, and capturing instabilities caused by cavitation. In the runner domain, the SAS-SST model showed 58.2% lower eddy viscosity ratios and in the draft tube vortex rope volume is estimated 95.3% greater than [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] model was noticeably worse at capturing transient effects than the other models. The most dependable model for comprehending intricate flow dynamics in PL and cavitation-prone environments is the SAS-SST model. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-18887720ffbc4bb99978de7cfa35b30e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1994-2060 1997-003X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics |
| spelling | doaj-art-18887720ffbc4bb99978de7cfa35b30e2025-08-20T03:42:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEngineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics1994-20601997-003X2025-12-0119110.1080/19942060.2025.2538811A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence modelsMohammad Abu Shahzer0Duc-Anh Nguyen1Jin-Hyuk Kim2Industrial Technology (Green Process and Energy System Engineering), University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaIndustrial Technology (Green Process and Energy System Engineering), University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaIndustrial Technology (Green Process and Energy System Engineering), University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaFrancis turbines are used extensively in hydropower facilities because of their great efficiency and versatility in a wider range of operations. In high specific speed turbines, part-load (PL) operations and cavitating conditions introduce highly complex internal flow structures that are challenging to predict accurately while keeping computational costs reasonable. This study offers a detailed comparison of various turbulence models under these demanding conditions and highlights the most effective model that successfully captures the flow intricacies with an optimal balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. Using various turbulence models, including scale adaptive simulation-shear stress transport (SAS-SST), SST, standard [Formula: see text], and standard [Formula: see text], this study examines the internal flow characteristics and performance of a Francis turbine with a specific speed of 276 under PL with cavitation inception point. The investigation shows how well the transient nature of flow inside the high-class turbine under cavitation condition is predicted by different turbulence models. Both steady and unsteady numerical simulations were performed, and the results were verified against experimental data. The SAS-SST model performs better than other models in resolving unsteady flow patterns, forecasting transient phenomena, and capturing instabilities caused by cavitation. In the runner domain, the SAS-SST model showed 58.2% lower eddy viscosity ratios and in the draft tube vortex rope volume is estimated 95.3% greater than [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] model was noticeably worse at capturing transient effects than the other models. The most dependable model for comprehending intricate flow dynamics in PL and cavitation-prone environments is the SAS-SST model.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19942060.2025.2538811Francis turbinecavitationturbulence modelflow physicspart loadvortex rope |
| spellingShingle | Mohammad Abu Shahzer Duc-Anh Nguyen Jin-Hyuk Kim A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics Francis turbine cavitation turbulence model flow physics part load vortex rope |
| title | A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models |
| title_full | A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models |
| title_fullStr | A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models |
| title_short | A comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of Francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models |
| title_sort | comprehensive investigation of hydraulic performance and internal flow characteristics of francis turbine model at part load cavitating flow for various turbulence models |
| topic | Francis turbine cavitation turbulence model flow physics part load vortex rope |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19942060.2025.2538811 |
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