Analysis of Kaplan Turbine Performance Using CFD

Abstract

In this thesis CFD numerical simulations for a two-dimensional unsteady flow through axial turbine stator and rotor channel are performed using the commercial, CFD code FLUENT. A two-dimensional triangular, unstructured grid has been generated on the computational domain using GAMBIT software. The main goal has been to utilize CFD to estimate the turbine hydraulic efficiency of the turbine, the results have been compared with the analytical calculations. Simulations for different runner blades exit angles have also been performed to investigate the effect of changing the rotor exit angle, comparisons are also made with analytical calculations, a good agreement have been achieved.