Author(s): Michel Cervantes; Georgiana Dunca; Berhanu Mulu

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Keywords: Flow rate; Roughness; Pressure-time

Abstract: The pressure-time method measures flow rate in hydraulic turbines by converting momentum into pressure, traditionally requiring a complete closure of the guide vanes or a shut-off device. This study presents a reformulated pressure-time approach that eliminates the need for full closure, relying instead on a simple load variation. This allows determination of the initial, intermediate, and final flow rates, as well as the continuous flow rate variation throughout the measurement. To further enhance performance, we propose a methodology that simultaneously estimates roughness between the measuring cross-sections and the different flow rates. The approach integrates pressure-loss measurements between two sections, the reformulated pressure-time method, and an optimization algorithm to identify the optimal roughness value. Experimental tests conducted in a laboratory demonstrate that the resulting flow rates agree closely with those from an electromagnetic flow sensor, with a deviation of only –0.5%. These findings confirm the proposed method’s reliability, relevance, and repeatability for practical applications.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/978-90-835589-7-4_41WC-P1880-cd

Year: 2025