Author(s): F. Pugliese; F. De Paola; M. Giugni; N. Fontana; G. Marini; J. Fernandez

Linked Author(s): Maurizio Giugni, AITOR FERNÁNDEZ JIMÉNEZ, Francesco Pugliese

Keywords: Pump as turbine; CFD; Performance assessment; Water distribution networks

Abstract: The implementation of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model to assess the performances of a Pump As Turbine (PAT) is introduced and preliminary results are discussed. The use of Pumps As Turbines (PATs) in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) allows to combine pressure regulation with small-scale hydropower generation. Although the use of PATs guarantees several advantages, the estimation of PAT performances is still an unresolved issue, because the characteristic curves are rarely provided by manufactures. Thus, several theoretical, experimental and numerical models have been implemented to estimate the PAT performances. Among them, the application of CFD models is widely considered, because able to couple the Reynolds Averaged-Navier Stokes (RANS) equations with turbulence models, avoiding the significant time-demand and expensive costs, required by experimental researches. In this note, the implementation of a CFD model of a horizontal axis single-stage centrifugal PAT, to predict machine’s performance, is given. Results are compared with experiments carried out at the Hydraulic Laboratory of the University of Naples Federico II, so as to validate the model effectiveness.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/978-981-11-2731-1_113-cd

Year: 2018