Finite Volume Method for Modeling the Load-Rejection Process of a Hydropower Plant with an Air Cushion Surge Chamber

The pipe systems of hydropower plants are complex and feature special types various devices. When the Method Characteristics (MOC) is used, interpolation or wave velocity adjustment required, which may introduce calculation errors. second-order Finite Volume (FVM) was presented to simulate water hammer load-rejection process a plant with an air cushion surge chamber, has rarely been considered before. First, governing equations were discretized by FVM flux calculated Riemann solver. A MINMOD slope limiter introduced avoid false oscillation caused data reconstruction. virtual boundary strategy proposed simply effectively handle complicated problems between devices, unify internal pipeline calculations. results compared MOC results, exact solutions, measured values, sensitivity analysis conducted. Courant number equal 1, consistent solution. less than MOC, more accurate numerical dissipation. As gradually decreased, simulations stable. For given accuracy, had higher computational efficiency. load rejection showed that calculations closer values. systems, should be adjusted during calculation, resulting in error, error value related parameters chamber (initial depth, height, etc.). can accurately, stably, efficiently MOC.