3D Numerical Simulation of the Bottom Rack Intake Hydraulic Using CFD Techniques

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Abstract

The hydraulics of bottom rack intakes was 3D numerical simulate and some of its important specifications like the wetted rack length were studied. The bottom rack intake is a hydraulic structure designed for achieving robust function of water intakes in mountain regions. Computational abilities of CFD techniques were employed to simulate the flow hydraulics on this structure. To achieve this, the software Fluent 6.3.26 and finite volume method are used. The water intake and the bottom rack were simulated according to the physical model built Vienna University of Technology by Dorbir et al. in 2003. Analytical computations performed by former researchers were also compared to the numerical results in addition to the physical ones. This comparison shows outstanding adaptation and relevant relationships between the numerical CFD results and the analytical and physical model findings. The optimum wetted rack length is studied according to the bottom rack bar sections and spacing