Case Studies of Upgrading of Large Pump-Turbines

摘要

The upgrading and refurbishment of existing pumped storage schemes becomes moreand more beneficial. In this modernization process VA TECH HYDRO applies anintegral approach and both the hydraulic and the mechanical behavior is investigatedand the manufacturing process is optimized. Detailed hydraulic and mechanical analysisensure the operation of the machine under improved conditions. The application ofadvanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to the design of components ofreversible pump turbines is of major importance in this modernization process.According to the computational methods modern manufacturing methods of thecomponents ensure the quality of the prototype runners. This integral approach isapplied by VA TECH HYDRO to the modernization process of the pumped storageplants Solina and Zarnowiec. Some aspects of the modernization process of theseprojects are presented. The manufacturing of the Zarnowiec runner by Electro slagwelding is presented. For the Solina upgrading project some aspects of the detailedmechanical study and the residual life analysis are given. The hydraulic improvementsof the Kalayaan modernization project are outlined. A wide experience in the applicationof the computational tools and the results of recent modernization of pumped storageplants give a reliable base for the success of the modernization projects.