Distribution of flow velocity in a shaft intake structure

Recently, the construction of shaft intake structures in Slovakia has increased. The shaft intake structures overcome significant vertical depth over short horizontal distance. The flow of water in these shaft intake structures is therefore very complicated. The velocity field at a shaft intake of a small hydropower plant was investigated on a physical model in a hydraulic laboratory using the particle image velocimetry method. The particle image velocimetry measurements were realized for different shaft depths and the results of this study can increase negative effects of not suitable the design of construction on the flow homogeneity in the turbine intake.