Location
Virtual
Start Date
7-5-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
7-8-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Reservoir sedimentation is a major threat to dam operation. It can reduce water storage capacity, clog water intakes, and damage turbine components. Flushing operations by bottom outlets are a mitigation measure that allows removing sediment deposited near the dam. Unfortunately, the effect of such structures is localized if no water level draw down takes place; therefore, investigations of new designs that improve sediment removal have emerged recently. In this work, we present our current results on the investigation of the slotted pipe bottom outlet obtained through numerical modeling. The flow patterns were characterized for different water levels, showing that discharges and mean velocities at the slots grow in the downstream direction. In addition, analyzing the effect of geometric elements of the structure showed that wider slots can convey greater discharges with smaller velocities except if they are close to the pipe entrance. Finally, based on the results obtained, a first step is taken into the optimization of this structure, where the discharges in all openings of the slotted pipe could be enhanced by removing the slot closer to the pipe entrance and widening the remaining slots.
Included in
Flow Distribution in Slotted Pipe Bottom Outlets
Virtual
Reservoir sedimentation is a major threat to dam operation. It can reduce water storage capacity, clog water intakes, and damage turbine components. Flushing operations by bottom outlets are a mitigation measure that allows removing sediment deposited near the dam. Unfortunately, the effect of such structures is localized if no water level draw down takes place; therefore, investigations of new designs that improve sediment removal have emerged recently. In this work, we present our current results on the investigation of the slotted pipe bottom outlet obtained through numerical modeling. The flow patterns were characterized for different water levels, showing that discharges and mean velocities at the slots grow in the downstream direction. In addition, analyzing the effect of geometric elements of the structure showed that wider slots can convey greater discharges with smaller velocities except if they are close to the pipe entrance. Finally, based on the results obtained, a first step is taken into the optimization of this structure, where the discharges in all openings of the slotted pipe could be enhanced by removing the slot closer to the pipe entrance and widening the remaining slots.