This paper investigates critical flow regimes that may induce unacceptable water hammer in Kaplan turbine hydroelectric power plants. The rigid water hammer theory is used for power plants with relatively short inlet and outlet conduits. Occurrence of the water column separation under the turbine head cover is indicated by comparison of the maximum calculated axial hydraulic thrust acting upwards with the damaging hydraulic thrust acting on the runner. Computational results are compared with results of measurements in a refurbished and upgraded Drava river hydroelectric power plant Mariborski otok. The agreement between the computed and measured results is reasonable.
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