Hydraulic Turbine Performance Assessment with Implementation of an Innovative Aeration System

The environmentally friendly concept in terms of water quality represents a condition for developing hydropower plants all around the world. Since 2017, hydropower has represented more than 70% of all renewable energy production and it is essential for the integration of the other renewable sources of energy and for regulation of the grid. To maintain the “green” label concerning the dissolved oxygen level (6 mg DO/L), the energy suppliers should respond to environmental concerns about the operation of hydropower plants. In the context of sustainable development, the ecological degradation of rivers is unacceptable due to the implementation of a hydropower plant on the watercourse. For deep reservoirs or tropical regions, the oxygen level in the water downstream of the hydropower plants may be low and affect the aquatic life for many kilometers downstream. This paper presents a new aeration system for discharged water from hydropower plants that provides water aeration with minimum energy consumption. The influence of the aeration process on the turbine operation and efficiency is analyzed. Experimental measurements are carried out on site on a small Francis turbine. The influence of the aeration process on the turbine mechanical performances (vibration level and relative displacement) and hydraulic performances (turbine efficiency, power output, and pressure fluctuation) is analyzed. The results showed that the impact of the aeration device implementation and operation over the energetic characteristics of the turbine is in the efficiency measurements accuracy range. The aeration through this device did not influence the turbine operation (vibration, level, or pressure fluctuations)