Hill chart calculation

of Francis turbines using CFD simulation

Particularly in the small hydropower field, turbines' behaviour far from the specific field of application is often not or only insufficiently known.

To determine the efficiency during operation at low part load, the steady-state runaway speed during load rejection, or the guide vane torques under extreme loads, a complete turbine map is urgently required.

However, turbine hill charts can be determined not only on the test rig but also in extensive CFD simulations. Such a hill chart simulation was recently carried out for a manufacturer of Francis turbines (see figure).

The results obtained serve as a basis for tendering for new projects and contribute to the even better design of individual components of hydropower plants in the future.