Experimental investigation of vortex control with an axial jet in the draft tube of a model pump-turbine

The operation of hydropower plants, especially of pump-storage plants, changes since the deregulation of the energy market. They are increasingly operating at off-design conditions in order to follow the demand in the electrical grid. Therefore the ability of hydropower plants handling the operation in a wide range of off-design conditions has become more important. In this context one problem is the vortex rope in the draft tube, especially for Francis turbines and pump-turbines running in part load. An experimental investigation in mitigation of the vortex rope phenomenon by injecting water axially in the centre of the draft tube on a pump-turbine model was carried out. Also the mitigation by additionally injected air in the centre of the draft tube was analysed. The results of the experimental investigation are focused on the reduction of the pressure fluctuations in the draft tube. In this paper two different part-load operating points were investigated. One of these operating points is a high part load operating point where a vortex rope exists. The other one is a low part load operating point, where the pressure fluctuation is not caused by a vortex rope. The results of the investigation show, that the injection of stabilizing water can mitigate the pressure fluctuation caused by a vortex rope. But the investigation of operating points where the pressure fluctuation is not caused by a vortex rope shows, that there is no significant reduction in the pressure fluctuation by this method. In these operating points the method of injecting additionally air reduces the pressure fluctuation better.