Vienna University of Technology INSTITUTE OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING AND WATER RESOURCES Department of Hydraulic Engineering A-1040 Vienna, Karlsplatz

13 / 222 Project: Project team: Client: Objectives: TRIFURCATOR (scale 1:21,5) Prenner, Joeppen VA TECH HYDRO GmbH & Co Analysis of pressure fluctuations during a specific turbine operation Suggestions of constructive measures to suppress these vibrations

Abstract A trifurcation represents a very common interface of flow dividing from main penstock to turbine pipes, because head losses are lower than in a common used branch by sets of bifurcations. In the present case of a high-head plant in Costa Rica with an implemented trifurcation, extensive pressure fluctuations occur at one turbine branch during specific discharge conditions. Correspondingly the concerned Francis turbine is negatively affected by vibrations. Regarding long term effects, fatigue of the turbine and the pipe system is expected. It is probably assumed, that vortex shedding in the trifurcation in interaction with resonance properties of the complete turbine-pipe system causes the observed fluctuations. The Institute of Hydraulic Engineering was ordered to verify flow induced vibrations in the trifurcation and their impact on the pipe system by experimental investigations (scale 1:21.5). Additionally, numerical analysis of the flow field in the trifurcation was performed by a CFD-model. The resonance behavior of the prototype and the model was calculated by the Methods of Characteristics and Impedance. Experimental and numerical investigations of different dividing flow conditions

References: JOEPPEN A., VOGGENEDER R., PRENNER R. und DROBIR H.: Strmungsinduzierte Schwingungen in einem Trifurkator. 6. JuWi-Treffen an der RWTH-Aachen, 2004, Tagungsband S. 12-16. JOEPPEN A., PRENNER R., WINKLER S. und NICHTAWITZ A.: Identification of Potential Sources of Pressure Fluctuations in a Penstock Trifurcation by Physical Model Tests. International Symposium on Hydraulic Structures, Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela, 9-15 Oktober 2006, Paper on CD, pp. 1-10.