Abstract

Vibrations during power generation in turbine components are produced due to eccentricity in
the rotations of the turbine, Extreme pressure fluctuations, leakage flows and erosion of the
turbine. Vibrations have a negative effect on power generations as well as life expectancy of a
turbine. This paper is devoted to correlate the erosion due to abrasion and cavitation to the
vibration induced by it .Erosion on the turbine blades have undesirable profiles which contribute
to flow instability and unpredictable fatigue damage to the turbine. This instability in flow and
unwanted dynamic forces on the eroded profile induces vibrations inside the turbine components
The current work intends to improve vibrations monitoring methodology in hydro turbines. For
this purpose a reference case of Francis turbine with erosion is chosen. A finite element model
of the eroded turbine is constructed in ANSYS software. CFD analysis is conducted on the
eroded turbine model and the vibrations response of the system is studied under various flow
conditions in the turbine. The data gained from the simulations of the numerical model are
analyzed to establish a relation ship between the erosion and vibrations.