Multiphase Flow Simulations through Tarbela Dam Spillways and Tunnels

Tarbela dam is one of the largest earth filled dam in the world used for power generation and irrigation purposes. Like all reservoirs the sediments inflow in the Tarbela reservoir has resulted in reduction in water storage capacity and is also causing damage to the tunnels, power generating units and ultimately to the plant equipment. This numerical study was performed to predict the flow patterns and characteristics in Tarbela dam. Tunnel 3 and 4 inlets;originally on the bed level were raised in the 3-D model and meshed. Analysis was performed using multiphase flow (water and air) for maximum inflow in the reservoir, i.e., considering summer season and discharging water through different locations, i.e., tunnels and spillways. Pressure, velocities, flow rate and free surface height results obtained were found in good agreement with the analytical and existing results where available. Results show uneven discharge through each gate due to maximum velocity near exits and overall stagnant phenomena of water within the reservoir. Maximum velocity was observed along the spillways outlet. Strong vortex motion was observed near the spillways outlet and tunnel inlets. New design of Tunnel 3 and 4 were suggested to WAPDA in order to decrease the sediment inflow and improvements in design of the spillways were suggested.

Improved design of guide wall of bank spillway at Yutang Hydropower Station

Ensuring that water flows smoothly into spillways is the main challenge in spillway design. In order to help avoid the formation of vortices and separation of flow along the guide wall in front of the gates during overflow through the spillway, an experiment with a physical model of the Yutang Dam. bank spillway was carried out, The profile of the guide wall was redesigned to eliminate the formation of vortices and separation of flow. This involves opening up holes in the middle part of the guide wall. The test results show that the design is effective in improving the flow conditions of the inlet, and in ensuring the desired values of water head along the guide wall and discharge capacities of the spillway,

Numerical investigation of hydraulic characteristics and prediction of cavitation number in Shahid Madani Dam’s Spillway

The prediction of the probability of cavitation occurrence to prevent serious damages in the spillways is the major concern for hydraulic engineers. In this research, the three-dimensional model of Shahid Madani Dam's spillway was simulated with the Flow 3D software and by the comparison of numerical model results with the experi- mental data, the probability of occurrence of the cavitation phenomenon has been investigated. The flow parameters including pressure, velocity, and water depth were calculated for three different flow rates of 495 m3/s, 705 m3/s and 2 205 m3/s respectively. The Renormalization Group (RNG) turbulence model was used to simulate current turbu- lence. Comparison of simulation results for pressure, velocity and water depth with the results of the experimental model with two statistical indices Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Coefficient of Determination (R2) showed that the numerical simulation results are in good consistency with experimental model. However, simulation results indicated that at any flow rates with a return period of 1 000 years, probable maximum flood and designed flow rates, the cavitation number is not lower than the critical cavitation number. Therefore, it is predicted that the cavitation phenomenon in Shahid Madani Dam's spillway will not happen.

Air Entrainment and Pressure Fields over Stepped Spillway in Skimming Flow Regime

This paper deals with some aspects of the air entrainment process along the chute of spillway and study of pressure fluctuations. The experimental study has been carried out using stepped spillway model located in the campus of Government College of Engineering, Amravati (India). It is observed that air concentration is increasing with discharge as well as with number of step. Air concentration is increasing along the length of spillway. It is also observed that the bottom mean air concentration increases with step height in the upstream reach of stepped spillway, which is prone to cavitation. The pressure profiles exhibit a wavy pattern down the stepped chute and pressure on each step increases with ratio of critical depth to step height (yc/h).

Numerical Simulation of Flow over Stepped Spillways with Varying Step-Angle

In the present study,the flow over the stepped spillway was numerically investigated by using Flow3D model.The effect of step angle on different properties of Nappe flow regime such as the water surface profile,location of free-surface aeration inception,Froude number at the spillway’s toe,and pressure,flow velocity,air concentration and cavitation index were evaluated.The realizable k–εwas applied as the turbulence model,and Volume of Fluid(VOF)model was used to determine the free surface flow profiles of the spillway.The model was verified using experimental data.In order to investigate the different characteristics of Nappe flow regime,17 numerical runs was designed,in which,four step angles,four flow discharge were considered to investigate the flow characteristics over the stepped spillway.The results indicated that the numerical model is well suited with the experimental data over the stepped spillway(RMSE=0.147 and ARE=6.9%).In addition,with increasing the step angles,the aeration inception point is generally moved downstream.By increasing the step angles from zero to 10 degrees,the Froude number does not change significantly,however,at the angle of 15 degrees,the Froude number decreases by about 42 percent.

Numerical investigation of air-entrainment in skimming flow over stepped spillways

As a widely used flood energy dissipator, the stepped spillway can significantly dissipate the kinetic or hydraulic energy due to the air-entrainment in skimming flow over the steps. The free-surface aeration involves the sharp deformation of the free surface and the complex turbulent shear flows. In this study, the volume of fluid （VOF）, mixture, and Eulerian methods are utilized to simulate the air-entrainment by coupling with the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes/large eddy simulation （RANS/LES） turbulence models. The free surface deformation, air volume fraction, pressure, and velocity are compared for the three different numerical methods. Only the Eulerian＋RANS method fails to capture the free-surface aeration. The air volume fraction predicted by the VOF＋LES method best matches the experimental measurement, while the mixture＋LES method predicts the inception point of the air entrainment more accurately.

Air-vent layouts and water-air flow behaviors of a wide spillway aerator

A spillway aerator should guarantee favorable flow conditions in the coupled water-air system even if the aerator is unconventionally wide. Eight air-vent configurations are devised and incorporated into a 35-m wide chute aerator for a generalized study. Computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulations are performed to explore their effects on water-jet and air-cavity features. The Re-normalisation group(RNG) k-ε turbulence model and the two-fluid model are combined to predict the two-phase flow field. The results demonstrate appreciable influences of the vent layouts on the water-air flow. The air vents stir the air motion and re-distribute the cavity air pressure. Once the vent layout is modified, reciprocal adjustments exist between the jet behavior and air-pressure field in the cavity, thus leading to considerable differences in air-flow rate, jet-trajectory length, vent air-flow distribution across the chute, etc. The large width plays a discernable role in affecting the aerated flow. Telling differences exist between the near-wall region and the central part of the chute. To improve the duct pressure propagation, a gradual augment of the vent area should be assigned towards the chute center. Relative to single-slot vents across the flow, the layouts with segregated vents gain by comparison. A designer should see to it that a vented aerator operates satisfactorily for a given range of flow discharges.

Computational investigation of hydraulic performance variation with geometry in gabion stepped spillways

Over recent years, there has been a clear increase in the frequency of reported flooding events around the world. Gabion structures offer one means of flood mitigation in dam spillways. These types of structures provide an additional challenge to the computational modeller in that flow through the porous gabions must be simulated. We have used a computational model to investigate the flow over gabion stepped spillways. The model was first validated against published experimental results. Then, gabion stepped spillways with four different step geometries were tested under the same conditions in order to facilitate inter-comparisons and to choose the best option in terms of energy dissipation. The results show that normal gabion steps can dissipate more energy than overlap, inclined, and pooled steps. An intensive set of tests with varying slope, stone size, and porosity were undertaken. The location of the inception point and the water depth at this point obtained from this study were compared with those from existing formulae. Two new empirical equations have been derived, on the basis of a regression analysis, to provide improved results for gabion stepped spillways.

Experimental study of drag reduction in flumes and spillway tunnels

Experiments in an open flume model and spillway tunnel model were carried out using drag reduction techniques. Two drag reduction techniques were adopted in the experiments： polymer addition and coating. The drag reduction effect of a polyacrylamide （PAM） solution and dimethyl silicone oil coating were studied in the flume model experiments, and the results were analyzed. Experiments were then carded out with a model of the Xilnodu Hydropower Station, the second largest dam in China. In order to reduce the resistance, the spillway tunnels were internally coated with dimethyl silicone oil. This is the first time that these drag reduction techniques have been applied to so large a hydraulic model. The experimental results show that the coating technique can effectively increase flood discharge. The outlet velocity and the jet trajectory distance are also increased, which enhances the energy dissipation of the spillway tunnel.

Modeling the Mangla Dam Spillway for Cavitation and Aerators Optimization

This study evaluated the effects of increased reservoir conservation level by 40 ft (12.2 m), on spillway velocities;it’s discharging capacity and associated cavitation risk. The study optimized the aerators size and shape to avoid cavitations. The mathematical model was used to estimate the flow velocities and cavitation risk, when scale model study assessed the spillway discharging capacity and optimized the performance of the aerators for modified conditions. The mathematical model simulations showed increased flow velocities and damage index for modified conditions. The damage potential was 2 - 3 times higher with modifications and falls within the major to catastrophic region. The scale model study showed that discharging capacity of the spillway can effectively be restricted to original design by raising spillway crest by 5.0 ft (1.52 m). The scale model study also showed that the two aerators near sluice and at the chute with an air duct pipe of 3.0 ft diameter can improve the free surface flow profile reducing the risks of cavitation. Simulations for several configurations demonstrated clearer affect of aerators ramps on flow trajectory and gate opening. It also depicted that the height of the ramp of sluice aerator has a positive effect on the flow performance to about 7.5 inches (19 cm), when further increase in the ramp height reduced the flow performance.

An Experimental Study for Construction of Emergency Spillway in Daechung Dam

Recently, the flood frequently happened by several effects, such as El Nino et al., is the meteorological accident to attack the stability of dam. Hence, it was necessary to increase the stability of existing dam and dam design criteria were reinforced with probable maximum flood. This study was conducted in order to install the emergency spillway in Daechung Dam. Daechung Dam is located in the upper course of Guem River, in the middle of Korea, near a Sobak mountain range. The stream length and area of Daechung Dam are each about 401 km, about 9886 km2. According to the Report of new training project in Daechung Dam published in 2004 year, Maximum flood water level of Daechung Dam was calculated EL. 84.18 m increased of previous maximum flood water level (EL. 83 m). The aim of this study is to make an alternative plan on problems predicted by analysis of experimental data which is the results on the hydraulic model on dam structures. Analysis of experimental results was classified dam structures, such as approach channel, spillway, energy dissipater and stream, by design conditions.

Unsteady Spillway Flows by Singular Integral Operators Method

The Singular Integral Operators Method (S.I.O.M.) is applied to the determination of the free-surface profile of an un-steady flow over a spillway, which defines a classical hydraulics problem in open channel flow. Thus, with a known flow rate Q, then the velocities and the elevations are computed on the free surface of the spillway flow. For the numerical evaluation of the singular integral equations both constant and linear elements are used. An application is finally given to the determination of the free-surface profile of a special spillway and comparing the numerical results with corresponding results by the Boundary Integral Equation Method (B.I.E.M.) and by using experiments.

Numerical Modeling of Sediment Transport and Its Effect on Algal Biomass Distribution in Lake Pontchartrain Due to Flood Release from Bonnet CarréSpillway

In order to protect the city of New Orleans from the Mississippi River flooding, the Bonnet Carré Spillway (BCS) was constructed from 1929 to 1936 to divert flood water from the river into Lake Pontchartrain and then into the Gulf of Mexico. During the BCS opening for flood release, large amounts of freshwater, nutrients, sediment, etc. were discharged into Lake Pontchartrain, and caused a lot of environmental problems. To evaluate the environmental impacts of the flood water on lake ecosystems, a two-dimensional numerical model was developed based on CCHE2D and applied to simulate the flow circulation, sediment transport and algal biomass distribution in Lake Pontchartrain. The effect of sediment concentration on the growth of algae was considered in the model. The numerical model was calibrated using field measured data provided by USGS, and then it was validated by the BCS Opening Event in 1997. The simulated results were generally in good agreement with filed data and satellite imagery. The field observation and numerical model show that during the spillway opening for flood release, the sediment concentration is very high, which greatly restricts the growth of algae, so there is no algal bloom observed in the lake. After the closure of BCS, the sediment concentration in the lake reduces gradually, and the nutrient concentration of the lake is still high. Under these conditions, numerical results and satellite imagery showed that the chlorophyll concentration was high and algal bloom might occur.

Numerical simulation of air-water two-phase flow over stepped spillways

Stepped spillways for significant energy dissipation along the chute have gained interest and popularity among researchers and dam engineers. Due to the com- plexity of air-water two-phase flow over stepped spillways, the finite volume computational fluid dynamics module of the FLUENT software was used to simulate the main characteristics of the flow. Adopting the RNG k-ε turbulence model, the mixture flow model for air-water two-phase flow was used to simulate the flow field over stepped spillway with the PISO arithmetic technique. The numerical result successfully reproduced the complex flow over a stepped spillway of an experiment case, including the interaction between entrained air bubbles and cavity recirculation in the skimming flow regime, velocity distribution and the pressure profiles on the step surface as well. The result is helpful for under-standing the detailed information about energy dissipation over stepped spillways.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL TURBULENCE NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF A STEPPED SPILLWAY OVERFLOW

In this paper, the k ε turbulence model is used to simulate the three dimensional turbulence flow over the stepped spillway at the Yubeishan reservoir. In order to solve the curved free water surface and to handle the complex boundary conditions, the fractional Volume Of Fluid (VOF) model that is applicable to the solution of the stratified two phase flow is introduced along with k ε turbulence model and the unstructured grid is used for the discretization of the irregular simulation domain. By these methods, the turbulence flow field of the stepped spillway is simulated successfully. The location of the free surface along the spillway, the magnitude and distribution of the velocity, the pressure on the step surface, the turbulence kinetic energy and turbulence dissipation rate are obtained by simulation. The changes and distributions of these characteristics along the width of the spillway are also obtained. The energy dissipation ratio of the stepped spillway is calculated according to the upstream and downstream water depth and velocities

3-D NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FLOW THROUGH AN ORIFICE SPILLWAY TUNNEL

A Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approach based on the weakly compressible hydrodynamic equation with a single plase fluid model for the cavitation flow has been developed and employed in simulating 3 D unsteady viscous flow through an orifice type spillwy tunnel. The finite volume approach in space and the predictor corrector method in time have been used to the numerical discretization, and the 'Law of wall' is applied at the solid boundary. The velocity, pressure fields and the cavitation phenomenon are obtained, the computational results show that 3 D LES approach can give more realistic flow field prediction of the orifice type spillway tunnel.

Hydraulic characteristics of stepped spillway dropshafts

Nowadays, "Sponge Cities" are being built to provide a valid solution to the glaring drainage problems in the urban areas of China. The hydraulics of a dropshaft, especially discharge capacity, energy dissipation and cavitation damage control, evidently affect its safety and the city's underground tunnel system, due to the high dropshaft and large discharge. The hydraulic characteristics of stepped spillway dropshafts are experimentally investigated for the variable step rotation angles and end sill heights. Flow regimes inside the dropshafts are classified under the different approach flow discharges. The results illustrate that there is high energy dissipation in the present dropshafts with the stepped spillway and the cavitation damage could be effectively avoided thanks to the effect of the air entrainment to the flow.

HYDRAULIC RESEARCH OF AERATORS ON TUNNEL SPILLWAYS

The selection of the configuration and size of an aerator was of importance for a tunnel spillway under the conditions of high speed flows. Experimental investigations were conducted on the effects of entrained air on the tunnel spillway in the Goupitan Project, based on the criterion of gravity similarity and the condition of aerated flow velocity of over 6 m/s, with physical models. The configurations of the aerators were presented of a larger bottom air concentration, to protect the tunnel spillway from cavitation as well as to see no water fills in the grooves.

Numerical simulation and analysis of water flow over stepped spillways

Numerical simulation of water flow over the stepped spillway is conducted using Mixture multiphase flow model. Different turbulence models are chosen to enclose the controlling equations. The turbulence models investigated are realizable k-ε model, SST k-ω model, v2-f model and LES model. The computational results by the four turbulence models are compared with experimental ones in the following aspects: mean velocity, the spanwise vorticity and the growth of the turbulent boundary layer thickness in the streamwise direction. It is found from the comparison that the realizable k-ε model, in which the rotation tensor is included, shows good performance for simulation of flows involving rotation, boundary layer and recirculation. The realizable k-ε model is the most efficient in simulating flow over stepped spillways. Further, the characteristics of water flow on the stepped spillway are studied in terms of the mean velocity profile normal to the pseudo-bottom and the pressure field on the steps based on the simulation results using realizable k-ε model.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL TURBULENCE NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF A STEPPED SPILLWAY OVERFLOW

In this paper, the k-ε two-equation turbulence model was used to simulatethe three-dimensional turbulent flow of the stepped spillway at the Yubeishan reservoir. In order tosolve the curved free water surface and to handle the complex boundary conditions, the fractionalVolume Of Fluid (VOF) model that is applicable to the solution of the stratified two-phase flow wasintorduced to the k-ε turbulence model and the unstructured grid was used for the discretization ofthe irregular simulation domain. By these methods, the turbulent flow field of the stepped spillwaywas simulated successfully. The location of the free surface along the spillway, the magnitude anddistribution of the velocity, the pressure distribution on the step surface, the turbulence kineticenergy and turbulence dissipation rate were obtained by simulation. The changes and distributions ofthese characteristics along the width of the spillway were also obtained. The energy dissipationratio of the stepped spillway was calculated according to the upstream and downstream water depthand velocities.