ANSYS Case Studies Optimizing Hydroelectric Power Station Design with IoT: A Case Study of e3k and FLUENT Software

	Optimizing Hydroelectric Power Station Design with IoT: A Case Study of e3k and FLUENT Software ANSYS

Optimizing Hydroelectric Power Station Design with IoT: A Case Study of e3k and FLUENT Software

ANSYS

Technology Category	Sensors - Flow Meters Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors
Applicable Industries	Aerospace Mining
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Challenge	e3k, an Australian mechanical engineering consultancy, was tasked with optimizing the efficiency of a multi-nozzle Pelton wheel hydroelectric power station design. The challenge lay in the intricate examination of the branching distributor manifold, the nozzle design, and the rotating runner to extract maximum useful energy from the known head and flow conditions. The dynamic interaction between water jets and the runner created a particularly complex unsteady, multiphase flow field. This complexity made it difficult to identify areas for improvement and to understand the effects of potential design changes. Read More
About Customer	e3k is a leading Australian mechanical engineering consultancy that specializes in the research and development of new technologies in various sectors including energy, manufacturing, transportation, defense, aerospace, and mining. The company uses a combination of engineering experience and sophisticated modeling tools such as CFD and FEA to design and optimize advanced technologies. e3k provides a range of engineering services including early-stage conceptual design, detailed engineering modeling and analysis, prototype design, construction and testing, and failure analysis. Read More
Solution	e3k employed FLUENT software to quantify and visualize the effects of design changes as various aspects of the geometry were refined. The software was instrumental in characterizing the complex flow fields in the rotating runner, revealing areas where efficiency could be improved. FLUENT software also enabled the identification of an effect that had not been reported previously in empirical studies. This discovery could lead to further performance improvements. The software provided useful and timely feedback on how design modifications would influence the complex multiphase flow fields evident in the Pelton installation. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Sensors - Flow Meters

Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors

Applicable Industries

Aerospace

Mining

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Challenge

e3k, an Australian mechanical engineering consultancy, was tasked with optimizing the efficiency of a multi-nozzle Pelton wheel hydroelectric power station design. The challenge lay in the intricate examination of the branching distributor manifold, the nozzle design, and the rotating runner to extract maximum useful energy from the known head and flow conditions. The dynamic interaction between water jets and the runner created a particularly complex unsteady, multiphase flow field. This complexity made it difficult to identify areas for improvement and to understand the effects of potential design changes.

About Customer

e3k is a leading Australian mechanical engineering consultancy that specializes in the research and development of new technologies in various sectors including energy, manufacturing, transportation, defense, aerospace, and mining. The company uses a combination of engineering experience and sophisticated modeling tools such as CFD and FEA to design and optimize advanced technologies. e3k provides a range of engineering services including early-stage conceptual design, detailed engineering modeling and analysis, prototype design, construction and testing, and failure analysis.

Solution

e3k employed FLUENT software to quantify and visualize the effects of design changes as various aspects of the geometry were refined. The software was instrumental in characterizing the complex flow fields in the rotating runner, revealing areas where efficiency could be improved. FLUENT software also enabled the identification of an effect that had not been reported previously in empirical studies. This discovery could lead to further performance improvements. The software provided useful and timely feedback on how design modifications would influence the complex multiphase flow fields evident in the Pelton installation.

Impact #1	The use of FLUENT software led to significant improvements in the design and efficiency of the hydroelectric power station. The software's ability to visualize unsteady multiphase flow fields revealed a flow phenomenon that would have been difficult to capture empirically. This discovery not only improved the current project but also has the potential to influence future projects and designs. The software's ability to provide timely feedback on design modifications allowed e3k to make informed decisions, leading to a more efficient design process and ultimately a more efficient power station.

Impact #1

The use of FLUENT software led to significant improvements in the design and efficiency of the hydroelectric power station. The software's ability to visualize unsteady multiphase flow fields revealed a flow phenomenon that would have been difficult to capture empirically. This discovery not only improved the current project but also has the potential to influence future projects and designs. The software's ability to provide timely feedback on design modifications allowed e3k to make informed decisions, leading to a more efficient design process and ultimately a more efficient power station.

Benefit #1	FLUENT software provided useful and timely feedback on design modifications.
Benefit #2	Secondary flow losses in one particular component were reduced by more than 80 percent.
Benefit #3	The software revealed a previously unreported effect that could lead to further performance improvements.

Benefit #1

FLUENT software provided useful and timely feedback on design modifications.

Benefit #2

Secondary flow losses in one particular component were reduced by more than 80 percent.

Benefit #3

The software revealed a previously unreported effect that could lead to further performance improvements.

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Overview

Optimizing Hydroelectric Power Station Design with IoT: A Case Study of e3k and FLUENT Software

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit