Aperiodic pressure pulsation under non optimal hydraulic turbine regimes at low swirl number

Off-design operating conditions of hydraulic turbines is hindered by pressure fluctuations in the draft tube of the turbine. A precessing helical vortex rope develops, which imperils the mechanical structure and limits the operation flexibility of hydropower station. Understanding of the underlying instabilities of precessing vortex rope at low swirl number is incomplete. In this paper flow regimes with different residual swirl is analysed, particular attention is paid to the regime with a small swirl parameter. Study defines upper and low boundaries of regime where aperiodic pressure surge is observed. Flow field at the runner exit is investigated by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and high-speed visualizations, which are complemented draft tube wall pressure measurements.