Numerical Prediction of Radial Force in Hydraulic Turbine Based on Fluent

Two centrifugal pumps in reversal were selected as hydraulic turbines, one of which was equipped with a guide vane. Flow performance was simulated by Fluent. Radial forces of hydraulic turbine in different conditions were predicted. It was shown: when pumps in reversal were used as turbines, The radial forces were produced by the uneven dispersion of pressure in runner inlet. The radial forces increased with the increasing of discharge. Equipped with a guide vane, The inlet pressure in hydraulic turbine runner distributed more uniform than before, and the radial forces were reduced. No guide vane, the vector direction of radial force distributed between Volute Tongue and section VIII, while with a guide vane, the vector direction of radial force distributed between section IV and section VI. By adding guide vane for hydraulic turbine,the uniformity of pressure distribution in runner inlet can be improved and the radial force be decreased.