Author(s): G. R. Pisaturo; M. Righetti; R. Gabl; F. Zanforlin

Linked Author(s): Giuseppe Roberto Pisaturo, Roman Gabl

Keywords: Sediment entrapment; Surge tank; Glacier melt; Hydropower; PIV

Abstract: Climate change is a worldwide problem; global warming melts glaciers and mobilizes large quantities of sediments into water bodies. These sediments can interact with hydraulic structures such as hydropower plants, impairing their operation. Inspired by a South-Tyrol plant where the lower surge-tank chamber became completely clogged, this study experimentally investigates the mechanism of sediment entrapment into surge tanks and estimates the potential sediment load that can be conveyed from the penstock. Tests were conducted at the University of Trento hydraulic laboratory using a 10 cm diameter pipe/surge-tank model with Q = 5 l s⁻¹ (Re = 64 000). Neutral-buoyant 200 µm pollen particles were tracked by high-speed imaging (250 fps) and PIV analysis to quantify velocities and circulation patterns at the penstock–surge-tank tee junction.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_279-cd

Year: 2018