CFD methodology for desynchronized guide vane torque prediction and validation with experimental data

This paper presents a CFD-based methodology for the prediction of guide vane torque in hydraulic turbine distributors for synchronized and desynchronized configurations. A desynchronized configuration occurs when the opening angle of one guide vane differs from the opening angle of all other guide vanes, which may lead to a torque increase on neigbouring guide vanes. A fully automated numerical procedure is presented, that automates computations for a complete range of operation of a distributor. Results are validated against laboratory measurements.