Author(s): Ismail Albayrak; David Felix; Nevin Cracknell; Maximilian Kastinger; Robert Boes
Linked Author(s): Robert Boes, Ismail Albayrak
Keywords: Hydro-abrasive erosion Kaplan turbine suspended sediment load sediment management sustainable hydropower
Abstract: Sediment-laden flow plays a crucial role in the design, operation, and maintenance of hydropower plants (HPPs) where sediment may cause turbine erosion as well as sedimentation. This study focuses on the sediment management at the planned low-head run-of-river HPP Massongex-Bex-Rhone (MBR) on the Rhone River, Switzerland. Historical sediment and discharge data were analyzed, a field measurement campaign was conducted during a flood in 2021, and the IEC 62364 erosion model was applied to estimate the expected turbine erosion. Mitigation measures such as turbine coatings and temporary shutdowns of the HPP during high sediment periods were evaluated. Results show that turbine shutdowns at river discharges above 400 m3/s reduce the average suspended sediment concentration in the turbine water by 31%, significantly decreasing abrasive erosion. Moreover, the headwater drawdowns during shutdowns allow for sediment passage. The findings highlight the importance of both effective sediment management and turbine design for sustainable hydropower.
Year: 2025