2020-2021 / MECA0529-1

Hydraulic turbomachines

Duration

20h Th, 8h Ex., 2h Labo.

Number of credits

 Master of Science (MSc) in Electromechanical Engineering3 crédits 
 Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical Engineering (EMSHIP+, Erasmus Mundus)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Koen Hillewaert

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

  • Classification and use of turbomachines
  • Recapitulation of fluid dynamics: conservation of mass, momentum and mechanical energy; dynamic similarity.
  • Hydraulic circuits: total, manometric and dynamic head; losses; energy grade line.
  • Cavitation: physical phenomenon, NPSH;
  • Turbomachinery fluid dynamics: fluid dynamics in the relative frame; force, torque and energy transfer; Eulers equation of  turbomachinery, velocity triangles; similarity.
  • Incompressible flow in turbomachinery passages: forces and energy transfer in stationary and moving axial blade passages; stages, degree of reaction; flow and forces in stationary and rotating radial flow passages;
  • Pumps and fans: classification and similarity; components; energy balance; cavitation; characteristic curves of centrifugal and axial pumps; use in circuits and regulation;
  • Hydraulic turbines: classification and similarity; components, power balance, characteristic curves and regulation of Pelton/Turgo, Francis, Deriaz/Kaplan/bulb turbines; cavitation;
  • Wind turbines: classification, general principles of horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines; Betz limit; blade design of HAWT following Betz and Schmitz; regulation.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The first part of the course is dedicated to hydraulic pumps and turbines. At the end of the course, the student should

  • understand the operation principles and classification of different types of machines
  • understand, evaluate and use the power balance of the machine and its installation
  • understand the off-design operation, regulation and the limits of operation
  • is able to calculate the performance, global dimensions and flow conditions in the machine
  • is able to compute the operating point and regulation of the machine in a hydraulic circuit
The second part is dedicated to wind turbines. The course aims are that the student
  • understands the operating principles and classification of different wind turbine types
  • has a critical view on promised performances of new wind turbine types
  • understands the aerodynamic considerations and design of horizontal axis wind turbines
  • understands how wind turbines are regulated and the implications on the electric generator
Finally, the course aims that the student masters the general principles in turbomachinery, namely the Euler equations, velocity triangles and dynamic similarity.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

fluid mechanics, thermodynamics

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

A single lab exercise is foreseen (time : 2 hours) in which the characteristics of a hydraulic machine are measured and verified.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

This course is organized throughout the quadrimester, by live sessions of 2h, typically split in 1h30 of theory and 30min of exercises.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

The course will be organised such as to allow interaction during the session, whether the student is attending the course physically or virtually.
To this end, the course is elaborated live on the computer, with the aid of a graphical tablet, as a replacement to the blackboard. The result is projected on the screen in the class room, transmitted live via the virtual class room on e-campus. The course is also recorded at the same time and made available on e-campus. At any time, the student can intervene for questions or clarifications, ... 
Following the color code 
- yellow: Currently, the class room is sufficiently large to accomodate all students. The student can therefore choose whether to attend physically or virtually.
- orange: if needed, the students wishing to attend the course physically will be distributed over two groups, who will follow the course at two different times.  
- red: the course is organised in the same way with only virtual attendance

Recommended or required readings

Course notes are available, as well as a collection of solved exercises.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

- Remote

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

The evaluation is based upon the laboratory report, a written exercise exam and an oral exam on the theory, contributing in equal parts to the final grade.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Due to the current pandemic, the class will be separated in two groups for which separate course sessions will be organised.

Contacts

Teacher : Koen Hillewaert (koen.hillewaert@uliege.be) Assistant : Nicolas Leclère (n.leclere@uliege.be)