CFD: Numerical analysis and performance prediction in Francis turbine

This paper presents a CFD based 3-D numerical simulation of steady turbulent flow in the passage of a Francis turbine. The performance parameters under different operating conditions have been analyzed using available CFX code. The five different operating conditions from part load to over load of a Francis turbine are investigated and results are presented in the form of efficiency and head loss. It has been observed that head losses are minimum and efficiency is maximum at rated discharge and rated head. An attempt has been made to compare the computed results with the available model testing results. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with the model testing results.