Choosing the optimal method of protection against cavitation destruction of structures of the flow path of hydropower plants

The article discusses ways to protect the structures of the flow path of hydropower plants from cavitation damage. From the practice of operating hydraulic turbines, the flow part of hydraulic turbines is subjected to cavitation damage. During operation, it is periodically necessary to carry out major repairs of the parts of the flow part of the hydraulic turbine. The previously used stainless steel sheet cladding of the parts of the flow part of hydraulic turbines does not give a significant positive result, therefore, electric arc welding of the impeller blades with piece electrodes began to be used at a number of hydroelectric power plants. A large amount of repair work, low productivity and low quality of manual surfacing increase the duration of repairs. The development of a new technology and a new method to increase the productivity of surfacing and improve its quality, as well as the development of an appropriate composition of the surfacing material, is relevant and promising. Several methods are considered, the advantages and disadvantages of each of them are analyzed. The optimal method has been chosen using powder wire surfacing. The relevant conclusions and recommendations are given.