Cavitation in Hydraulic Turbines

Abstract

Hydroenergy is one of the richest and most useful renewable energy sources in the world. Hydropower is a vital source as it is the clean energy source, sustainable and last but not least it is also cost-effective. One of the most important parameters that affect the performance of the hydraulic machines is the cavitation phenomenon, which is defined as the formation of the vapor bubbles in the liquid through any hydraulic turbine. In this paper, hydraulic machines, cavitation, types of cavitation are briefly described. After theoretical studies, analytical and numerical researches about cavitation in hydraulic machinery are discussed extensively. With those studies which are summarized in this paper covers a lot of ground about cavitation on the other hand further studies are needed about cavitation in hydro turbines. Numerical methods provide sufficient predictions for cavitation. However, numerical results should be verified by experimental measurements and detection methods to decide what intensity and which shape of cavitation is hazardous and vital, where the local pressure is lower than the vapor pressure and at which static pressure cavities start to grow and collapse.