Search Results (22)

The flow pattern in a pumping station intake basin has a significant influence on the inlet conditions of the pumping machine. For the purpose of solving the problems of flow disorder and the uneven flow velocity distribution in the intake basin of a lateral-inlet pumping station with a truncated-type canal, this study takes a flood discharge pumping station as an example and then studies and analyzes the flow pattern in the inlet pool of a lateral-inlet pumping station with a truncated-type canal. The Revit2018 modeling software is used to establish a three-dimensional model, CFD fluid calculation software is used to simulate the fluid, and the reliability of the numerical simulation results is verified using physical model tests. This paper proposes a new type of separated guide wall rectification measure, which is combined with a guide pier and other optimization measures to improve the flow of the inlet pool and is composed of a variety of programs. The results show that the optimization scheme of a “closed flow guide wall and flow guide pier” is the most effective. Compared with the original scheme, the lateral flow velocity distribution ratio and the mean square error (MSE) are reduced, while the axial flow velocity uniformity is increased by 52.24% and the axial flow velocity weighted average angle is increased by 5.92°. The optimal spacing of the dividing deflector wall is investigated using the response surface methodology, and further optimization of the scheme results in a further increase of 2.23% in the flow uniformity. Full article

This study investigates the sediment transport characteristics in the lower reservoir area of a pure pumped-storage power station (Pure-PSPS) to address the sediment abrasion issue under high sediment-laden conditions. By establishing a physical model and employing multivariate statistical analysis methods, we systematically reveal the multifactorial coupled influence mechanism of key parameters in the lower reservoir area on turbine sediment concentration (TSC), while developing a predictive TSC formula applicable to high-sediment Pure-PSPS based on sediment-carrying capacity theory and sediment mass conservation principles. The study indicates the following: (1) Under consistent basic parameters such as reservoir length, the decay rate of sediment concentration along the path from the reservoir inlet to the power station’s intake and outlet decreases to 30~80% under high inflow conditions, while under medium and low inflow conditions, the decay rate exceeds 80%. (2) The lower boundary of the median particle size adjustment range for suspended sediment gradually increases from 0.006 mm for 30- and 40-year flood recurrence intervals to 0.009 mm for an 80-year recurrence interval, and under the 80-year recurrence interval, the particle size fluctuation range converges to a high and narrow distribution of 0.009~0.011 mm. (3) The constructed linear regression model has an R² value of 0.8. The inflow sediment concentration (standardized coefficient β = 0.36) exhibits the strongest explanatory power for the dependent variable, followed by inflow discharge (β = 0.345) and the height difference between the intake/outlet and the silted bed surface (β = 0.319). (4) By optimizing the Adomian decomposition method, dimensional analysis, and multiple regression techniques, and based on sediment-carrying capacity theory and sediment mass conservation principles, this study derived and fitted a predictive formula for TSC in high-sediment-laden Pure-PSPS environments with favorable validation results. The research not only clarifies the interactive relationship between high-sediment-laden flow and turbine sediment concentration in Pure-PSPS but also fills the methodological gap in predicting operational conditions for pure pumped-storage power stations under extreme sediment scenarios. The established regular patterns provide a scientific foundation for the design and feasibility assessment of similar Pure-PSPS projects in sediment-rich rivers. Full article

The increasing demand for water in arid regions has driven the adoption of seawater desalination plants as critical infrastructure for industrial and domestic applications. However, these plants face unique challenges, including high operational costs, environmental vulnerabilities, and system reliability concerns. The critical nature of these infrastructures demands maintaining elevated levels of availability and demonstrating robust resilience. Resilience is framed as the system’s capacity to recover from disruptions and maintain operational efficiency under varying conditions. Quantitative assessment of resilience is essential to facilitate the development and implementation of optimal strategies that ensure operational continuity. This paper puts into practice a novel approach to evaluate the resilience of a seawater intake and pumping system using permutation entropy computed using time series availability data derived from different maintenance strategies. The methodology integrates reliability block diagrams (RBD) and symbolic time series analysis to identify critical components and evaluate maintenance strategies. A case study of a seawater pumping station demonstrates the application of the proposed resilience index. The analysis explored four scenarios to evaluate how these changes improved the system’s resilience: the first three hypothetical scenarios involved testing improvements in the maintainability and reliability indexes of the critical pump. These improvements matched the values of these parameters to the benchmark of the pump, historically showing the best indicators, first one by one, separately, and then both changes simultaneously. The initial resilience index was 0.652 in the baseline scenario. Scenario 1 (reduction in MTTR) showed a negligible impact, while scenario 2 (reduction in downtime) increased the resilience index to 0.682. The combination of both (scenario 3) maintained the index at 0.682, emphasizing the importance of reducing downtimes. Scenario 4, which consisted of reducing and standardizing the frequency of planned maintenance to 100 h, significantly raised the resilience index to 0.778. The results highlight how adjustments in maintenance strategies, including the reduction in preventive interventions, impact the system’s resilience and availability. The study also underscores the importance of aligning maintenance strategies with resilience goals to enhance the operational reliability of marine infrastructure. By providing a quantitative tool for resilience assessment, this work contributes to the sustainable management of desalination plants and offers practical insights for engineers and decision-makers in the marine engineering and water management sectors. Full article

Double suction pumps are widely used in the Yellow River in the China water intake pump stations, which face serious sediment wear. A prediction model for gap erosion in gas-liquid solid three-phase flow was constructed. A gas core factor has been added to the gap erosion model to achieve accurate prediction of particle impact velocity and impact angle caused by cavitation air core deformation. The influence mechanism of cavitation flow and sand-laden suction vortex on the sediment erosion. Usually, double suction pumps are one type. This study aims to explore the effects of the symmetrical and asymmetrical installation of double suction pump impellers on the wear and energy dissipation of pumps under sediment conditions in three-stage centrifugal pumps. The research results indicate that under symmetrical installation, the wear of the impeller caused by sediment impact is significantly intensified with a maximum velocity of 27 m/s. In contrast, asymmetric installation significantly improves sediment wear, with a maximum velocity of 24.3 m/s. By optimizing the staggered angle on both sides of the impeller, it was found that when the staggered angle was set to 10.85°, the performance of the pump under sediment conditions reached its optimal level, with a minimal erosion rate of 0.000008 kg·m⁻²·s⁻¹. These results provide an important basis for the design and optimization of three-stage centrifugal pumps in sediment transport and have significant theoretical significance and engineering application value. Full article

The vortices, backflow, and siltation caused by sediment-laden flow are detrimental to the safe and efficient operation of pumping stations. To explore the effects of water–sediment two-phase flow on the velocity field, vorticity field, and sediment distribution within intake structures, field tests and numerical simulations were conducted in this study with consideration for the sediment concentration, flow rate, and start-up combination. We applied a non-contact laser scanner and ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry to obtain the field data and reverse modeling of the three-dimensional model of the intake structure under siltation. A multiphase flow model based on the Euler–Euler approach combined with the k-ε turbulence model was adopted for numerical simulation under 10 working conditions, and the reliability was verified with field data. The results indicate that sediment promotes the evolution of coaxial vortices into larger-scale spiral vortices along the water depth, and the process of sediment deposition is controlled by the range, intensity, and flow velocity of the backflow zone. Furthermore, the maximum volume fraction of the near-bottom sediment increased by 202.01% compared to the initial state. The increase in flow rate exacerbates the turbulence of the flow field. Although the increase in sediment concentration benefits the flow diffusion, it further promotes sediment deposition. This study provides a new idea for modeling complex surfaces and considers different operating conditions. It can serve as a scientific reference for the structural optimization and anti-siltation design of similar water-conservancy projects. Full article

The site selection of hydraulic structures is crucial to the successful implementation of water conservancy projects. Reasonable or not, site selection has a direct impact on the functioning of hydraulic structures, engineering safety, and environmental impact. In this paper, the proposed Wanfu River Guanqiao Ship Lock and Pumping Station engineering is utilised as the object. The MIKE model is executed to simulate both the impact of Guanqiao Ship Lock operation on the water quality of the pumping station intake as well as the effects of pumping station operation on the navigable water level in order to analyse and demonstrate the reasonableness of the pumping station’s location. According to the water quality monitoring data of the last three years, the entropy weight method coupled with the comprehensive pollution index method was used to evaluate the water quality of the Wanfu River. A one-dimensional hydrodynamic water quality model was constructed by applying MIKE11, which reveals the change rule of water quality and also demonstrates the safety of navigable water levels. The MIKE21 two-dimensional water quality model, which intuitively displays the spatial and temporal patterns of change of each indicator, was constructed. The results show the following: (1) The evaluation results of the entropy weight method coupled with the comprehensive pollution index method indicate that the water quality of the Wanfu River is Class III, which meets the water intake standard. (2) Concentrations of the indicators are higher in the abundant water period than in the dry water period, in which the water quality is Class IV in June and July. (3) There is no impact of the pump station operating on navigable water levels. Full article

The increase in electricity generation prices represents a reason why water utility companies are looking for ways to reduce costs. One of the first ideas of users was to build photovoltaic installations. Water treatment plants or sewage treatment plants usually have large unused areas. They look different in facilities that consume a lot of energy but occupy little land, and include water intakes (wells) and water pumping stations. Facilities equipped with pumps are characterized by high electricity consumption. This article assesses the possibility of using PV installations at the water intake. An analysis of energy production from the 3.0 kW PV installation in Polanica-Zdrój was carried out, and then, simulations of the possibility of providing energy via installations with capacities of 3.0 kW, 4.2 kW, and 6.0 kW were performed. Analyses of energy production and demand, as well as analyses of water production based on annual, monthly, daily, and hourly data, were performed. An analysis of the hourly coverage of the WPS’s demand for electricity was carried out with regard to the current production of energy from the PV installation, as was an analysis of the overproduction of energy from the PV installation regarding the energy demand of the WPS. The simulation results are presented for cloudy and sunny days. Full article

Pump station engineering is a water conservancy project that utilizes water pump units for energy transfer and conversion, and safe water transportation. This study ensures the safe and efficient operation of the pumping station system by taking a pump station project containing seven water pump units as the research object. Under the premise that the total water intake of the pumping station is certain, the flow distribution of the pumping station is optimized with the working flow and head as the constraint function, and the minimum operating cost as the objective function, and the required number of operating units is determined to obtain the optimal combination of flow distribution and the corresponding working flow of each operating unit. Compared with previous studies, the novel feature of this study is that a genetic algorithm is used to optimize the power-up combination and rationally distribute the flow, which can minimize the energy consumption and maximize the operation efficiency of the pumping station. Then, a genetic-algorithm-based optimization method is constructed for unit operation combination and flow distribution. The optimized combination of units is evaluated by using the uniformity of flow velocity at the inlet section of the water pump and the average deviation angle of the section as indicators. The results indicate that, when each operating unit in the pump station has the same working flow distribution, the total input power of the pump station is at maximum. As the differences increase in the working flow rates allocated to each operating unit, the total input power of the pump station decreases. Through the proposed schemes, the optimal operating combination and flow distribution of the pump station system can be achieved when the total water intake is constant, thereby enabling efficient operations and creating maximum economic and social benefits. Full article

Water supply systems that use rivers with high sedimentation levels may experience issues such as reservoir siltation. The suspended sediment concentration (SSC) of rivers experiences interannual variation and high nonlinearity due to its close relationship with meteorological factors, which increase the mismatch between the river water source and urban water demand. The raw water system scheduling problem is expressed as a reservoir and pump station control problem that involves real-time SSC changes. To lower the SSC of the water intake and lower the pumping station’s energy consumption, a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) model based on SSC prediction was developed. The framework consists of a DRL model, a hydraulic model for simulating the raw water system, and a neural network for predicting river SSC. The framework was tested using data from a Yellow River water withdrawal pumping station in China with an average capacity of 400,000 m³/d. The strategy created in this study can reduce the system energy consumption per unit of water withdrawal by 8.33% and the average annual water withdrawal SSC by 37.01%, when compared to manual strategy. Meanwhile, the deep reinforcement learning algorithm had good response robustness to uncertain imperfect predictive data. Full article

In a laterally asymmetric intake pumping station, the flow direction in the forebay is not consistent with flow in the intake channel. Thus, the adverse flow patterns, such as bias flow, large-scale vortex and asymmetric flow occur frequently in the forebay and sump. Based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation and the RNG k-ε turbulence model, a recent flow pattern in a laterally asymmetric intake pumping station was numerically simulated and analyzed, and effective vortex elimination measures were proposed. For the original scheme, seriously biased flow combined with large-scale vortices were observed in the forebay and several vortices occurred in the sump. To suppress the clash inflow in the south and north intake channel, the “straight diversion pier + curved wing wall” and “straight diversion pier + curved wing wall + V-shaped diversion pier” were installed separately. The” symmetrical 川-shaped diversion pier” and “symmetrical 川-shaped diversion pier + circular column” was utilized to eliminate the bias flow and large-scale vortices in the forebay. Finally, the “three- sectional diversion pier”, “three- sectional diversion pier + triangle column” and “three- sectional diversion pier + triangle column + straight back baffle” was applied to decrease the vortex and asymmetric flow near the suction pipe of the sump. By attaching the rectification measure schemes in the intake channel and the forebay, the bias flow and large-scale vortex in the forebay were suppressed to varying degrees. The schemes significantly reduced the recirculation coefficient and greatly reduced the recirculation volume. By utilizing the vortex elimination measures in the sump, the vortex and asymmetric flow basically disappeared, the velocity distribution tended to become more uniform, and the flow rate distinction of each pump was smaller. The outcome can be used to provide a reference and basis for the improvement of flow pattern in similar laterally asymmetric intake pump stations. Full article

In order to study the hydraulic performance and internal flow field of dual pumps in centrifugal prefabricated pumping station under operation conditions, this paper carried out a numerical calculation based on CFD software for dual pumps in a centrifugal prefabricated pumping station under different flow conditions and verified the internal flow field through test. The results show that the efficiency of centrifugal prefabricated pumping station under design conditions (Q_d = 33.93 m³/h) is 63.96%, the head is 8.66 m, the head at the starting point of the saddle area is 10.50 m, which is 1.21 times of the designed head. The efficiency of the high-efficiency zone of the prefabricated pump station is 58.0~63.0%, and the corresponding flow range is 0.62Q_d~1.41Q_d (21.0~48.0 m³/h). The uniformity of the inlet flow rate of impeller of pump 1 is 74.70%, and that of pump 2 is 75.57%. The flow fields of water pumps on both sides are inconsistent. The results of the flow field indicate that there are severe back flow phenomena at the prefabricated bucket intake, more back flow in the bucket, and many eddies on the side wall. With the increase in flow rate, the eddy structure at the intake expands continuously and moves towards the center area, which has a negative impact on the flow field in the center area. The research results of this paper can provide a theoretical reference for the research and operation of the same type of prefabricated pumping stations. Full article

The flow analysis of the forebay of a lateral intake pumping station with asymmetrical operating pumps was carried out with a realizable k-ε turbulent model and SIMPLEC (Semi Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations Consistent) algorithm. The Pressure Inlet boundary condition was adopted and the pressure between the top surface and the bottom surface was linear with the height of the inlet section. The Mass Flow Outlet boundary condition was also adopted to ensure the accuracy and precision of the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation. The diversion pier was selected as the optimization strategy based on the flow parameters. The layout of the diversion piers was designed with four parameters which are the relative length, relative height, width, and straight-line distance of the piers’ tail. Each parameter had three values. Based on the orthogonal test, nine groups of the numerical simulation on different layouts of diversion piers were analyzed with the uniformity of axial flow velocity and weighted average angle of the flow velocity of the inlet cross-section of each pump, reducing the number of tests from 64 (4³) groups to 9 groups, improving work efficiency. The results show that the diversion piers had a significant adjustment of uniformity of axial flow velocity and weighted average angle of flow velocity. After optimization of the forebay, the uniformity of axial flow velocity of intake of No.1 pump was 80.26% and the weighted average angle of flow velocity was 77.68°. The above values of the No.2 pump were 98.74% and 87.84°, respectively. The values of the No.4 pump were 93.41% and 77.28°. The results of numerical simulation, which was carried out to estimate the rectification effect under the operation combination of the No.1, No.3, and No.4 pumps, showed that the uniformity and the angle of the No.1 pump were 92.65% and 72.66°, respectively, the uniformity and the angle of No.3 pump were 94.54% and 85.14°, and the uniformity and the angle of the No.4 pump were 75.81% and 78.21°. This research proves that the orthogonal test method, in a reasonable and convenient way, can be applied in hydraulic optimization for a lateral intake pumping station. Full article

To ameliorate the inflow state of the joint hub of a pump station and sluice, a γ-shaped settlement training wall was designed with its state adjusted automatically in line with the actual working condition of the project. The central composite design (CCD) of the response surface method was adopted to optimize the geometrical size of the training wall in the operational states of pumping and free-draining separately. The results showed that the alteration of different size factors of the γ-shaped settlement training wall had different degrees of influence on its rectification effect; the intake flow state of the joint hub of the sluice and pumping station with the γ-shaped settlement training wall can be significantly improved with the flow velocity uniformity in the inlet channel next to the junction of the sluice chamber, reaching 80.42%, and the flow velocity uniformity ahead of the sluice, reaching 84.78%, in the operational state of free-draining. By combining the results of numerical simulation, the feasibility of the response surface method was further verified and the optimal combination of geometric parameters of the γ-shaped settlement training wall were also obtained, which can be adopted in the design of the actual joint hub of the pump station and sluice. Full article

To improve the problem of turbulence in the forebay of the lateral inlet pumping station, a typical lateral inlet pumping station project in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China was taken as the research object. The forebay of the pumping station is a building connecting the river channel and the pumping station into the water tank. Based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) law and the k-ε turbulence model, the computational fluid dynamics method (CFD) technology compares and analyzes the numerical simulation with or without rectification measures for the forebay of the lateral intake pumping station when multiple units are operating. The three-dimensional model was created by SolidWorks modeling software and the numerical simulation simulated by CFX-ANSYS. To alter the flow pattern in the forebay of the pumping station, various rectification measures were chosen. Internal rectification flow patterns in the forebay under multiple plans, uniformity of flow velocity distribution in the measuring section, and vortex area reduction rates are investigated and compared. Based on the analysis and comparison of numerical simulation results, when the parabolic wall and some rectification piers are set significantly it improves the flow pattern of the forebay of the lateral inlet pumping station. It also makes the flow pattern of the inlet pool better and increases the uniformity of the flow velocity distribution by 8%. Further, it reduced the vortex area by 70%, effectively improving the operating efficiency of the pump. The research results of this paper provide a technical reference for the improvement of the flow pattern in the forebay of the lateral inlet pumping station. Full article

The forebay of a pumping station is an important building connecting the diversion channel and the intake pool. Based on the physical model test and research method of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on the improved fluid volume model, the flow field in a forebay of a multi-unit pumping station is analyzed in combination with the engineering practice of the Exi River flood discharge station in the Anhui Province, China. Aiming at the technical problems of a large-scale swing water area in the forebay internal flow field of a lateral intake pumping station, the technical problems are discussed. Different rectification measures are selected to adjust the flow pattern in the forebay of a pumping station. The internal rectification flow pattern in the forebay under different plans, the uniformity of flow velocity distribution in the measurement section, and the reduction rate of the vortex area are studied and compared, and the optimal plan is given. The results show that the flow pattern of the 7.5 m and 15 m solutions of the lengthened inflow wall is still poor, and the ability to eliminate vortices is not strong or even counterproductive. The combination plan of a rectifier sill and a rectifier pier has a better effect and can eliminate more than 90% of the vortex, but the uniformity of flow speed has not been significantly improved at the inlet of the pumping station; the combination plan of a rectifier sill and a diversion wall opening has the best effect; the reduction rate of the vortex area is more than 85%, and the velocity uniformity of three measuring sections is better than that of the original plan. The uniformity of flow rate near the pumping station is increased by 4% and that far away from the pumping station is increased by 13%. The combination plan of a rectifier sill and diversion wall with openings is recommended. Full article