摘要
With the growing energetic need present in the world, it is increasingly necessary for the researches and facilities to seek a better use of renewable natural resources. This paper is applied in the study of the performance of the aeration system of the Francis turbines present in Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant. When a Francis turbine operates off its optimal conditions, a vortex is formed inside the draft tube that, besides produces cavitation and pressure fluctuations, can pulse at frequencies with risk of resonance with hydraulic system, producing efforts and vibrations that may cause structural failures in the turbines, generators and civil parts of the power house. These damaging effects can be reduced using atmospheric aeration of the turbines. Because of this, the availability and effectively of the aeration system is fundamental to smooth the behavior of the turbines, helping preserve the health of the power plant. An analysis of the performance of the aeration system will be done using maintenance records and disturbances analysis reports （RAP）, allowing verification of the operating conditions of the turbine and fatality of water inlet in air pipes. Through the improvements detected, it is possible to reduce machine stoppages by tripping, thus increasing the availability of the turbines.
