Hydraulic Performance of a Francis Turbine with a Variable Draft Tube Guide Vane System to Mitigate Pressure Pulsations

The present paper demonstrates a proof-of-concept by introducing variable guide vane system in the draft tube of high-head Francis model turbine. aim is to examine hydraulic performance turbine while mitigating pressure pulsations tube. vanes can rotate about an axis up ±45°. mitigation studies were performed at lower- and upper-part loads. was examined all operating ranges within head. There six configurations considered between findings demonstrate that highest efficiency loss with configuration mitigates marginal, modest improvements best point. are 100% mitigated lower part load, there maximum decrement 80% upper load. study such improve operational flexibility hydro-turbine marginally affecting its performance.