Effects of non-homogeneous flow on ADCP data processing in a hydroturbine forebay

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2016 · Flow Measurement and Instrumentation

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flowmeasinst.2015.12.010· OSTI ID:1337233

Harding, S. F.; Richmond, M. C.; Romero-Gomez, P.; Serkowski, J. A.

Observations of the flow conditions in the forebay of a hydroelectric power station indicate significant regions of non-homogeneous velocities near the intakes and shoreline. The effect of these non-homogeneous regions on the velocity measurement of an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is investigated. By using a numerical model of an ADCP operating in a velocity field calculated using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the errors due to the spatial variation of the flow velocity are identified. The numerical model of the ADCP is referred to herein as a Virtual ADCP (VADCP). Two scenarios are modeled in the numerical analyses presented. Firstly the measurement error of the VADCP is calculated for a single instrument adjacent to the short converging intake of the powerhouse. Secondly, the flow discharge through the forebay is estimated from a transect of VADCP instruments at dif- ferent distances from the powerhouse. The influence of instrument location and orientation are investigated for both cases. A velocity error of over up to 94% of the reference velocity is calculated for a VADCP modeled adjacent to an operating intake. Qualitative agreement is observed between the calculated VADCP velocities and reference velocities by an offset of one intake height upstream of the powerhouse.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1337233
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA--107602; WC0102000
• Journal Information: Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, Journal Name: Flow Measurement and Instrumentation Journal Issue: C Vol. 52; ISSN 0955-5986
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)
Non-homogeneous velocity
hydropower
intake
turbine
virtual instrument