Comparative Analysis between a Discrete Spiral Chamber and a Continuous Spiral Chamber via ANSYS

Abstract

Hydraulic turbines have been elements of utmost importance to meet the energy needs of communities worldwide. These are used with elements that improve the flow behavior of water to the turbine so that its energy benefits are improved. Spiral chambers are circular elements where their cross-section is constantly changing and are used in reaction turbines, such as Francis turbines. Their main function is to distribute evenly the fluid into the impeller inlet. This paper sought to use engineering simulation tools (ANSYS - CFX) to compare behavior and performance from a discreet continuous spiral chamber in a virtual environment under the same physical operating conditions, providing a comparative view of the performance present between the two manufacturing methods of spiral chambers.