Comparative Study of Different Erosion Models in Francis Runner Blade Using OpenFOAM

Francis turbine serves as a prominent hydro turbine choice for harnessing water-based energy. However, the presence of sediment particles in river environments poses a considerable challenge for constructing hydropower facilities along sediment-laden rivers. This challenge is particularly pronounced in scenarios involving high- and medium-head hydroelectric power installations. Erosion emerges as a significant concern in such contexts due to the abrasive impact of sediment particles on hydro turbines, which can have adverse effect on its performance, flow dynamics, potentially leading to operational failures. Erosion model is one of the methods used for predicting the erosion rate in hydro turbines. State-of-the-art modelling and simulation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are widely adopted methods for predicting erosion. In this study, various commonly used erosion models were implemented and followed by a comparative analysis of the erosion rates predicted by each model. The study utilizes a model runner of Jhimruk Hydropower Plant using OpenFOAM for conducting numerical simulation. The results show variations among the models in identifying areas with the erosion rates due to factors considered by each model. These insights provide a better understanding of how erosion occurs and help in developing strategies for optimizing hydro turbine performance in sediment-laden environments.