Experimental Investigation of Added Mass and Damping on a Model Kaplan Turbine for Rotor Dynamic Analysis

Abstract: The concept of added hydrodynamic properties such as added mass is of importance in modern hydropower development, mainly for rotor dynamic calculations. Added mass could result in reduced natural frequencies and altered mode compared to existing simulation models. It is of importance to quantify added mass but also added damping to make the simulation models more accurate. Experiments are conducted on a model Kaplan turbine, D = 0,5 m, and a steel cube, S = 0,2 m, for linear vibrations in still water confined in a cylindrical tank. The experiments are conducted in air and water for evaluation of added forces. The vibrations are generated with an electrodynamic vibration exciter with a frequency range of approximately 1-10 Hz with amplitudes 0,5-3 mm. The experiments were repeated to check test rig reliability. Each individual working point [frequency, amplitude] were in total tested 40 times in 15 s intervals. The added mass was found to be function of acceleration for the model Kaplan with an increase in added mass from 10 % at 4 m/s2 to 35 % at 0,5 m/s2. The damping forces was at best measured at ±30 %, making added damping calculations unreliable. The cube experiments resulted in small differences between water and air. Cube results must be interpreted with caution due to test rig uncertainties.