CFD modelling of dam spillway aerator

Abstract: The purposes of this master thesis are the simulation of the aerator air flow driven by the spillway water flow in the Bergeforsen dam and the behavior of the flow in the stilling basin. Aerators are employed to supply air at critical locations in the flow where low pressure and cavitation may occur in order to protect the structure. The simulations were carried out, first in 2D and then in 3D, with the software FLUENT/GAMBIT describing the spillway and the stilling basin. Results were mainly concentrate on the interface between phases, air entrainment but also velocity and pressure of the flow. Limited data from laboratory experiments were available; however, their usefulness might be limited due to scale effects occurring in such two-phase flow problems.