About the thesisThe discharge capacity of the spillway is an issue that concerns the safety of a dam facility. In addition to structural stability, the spillway operation should also be free of undesirable negative air pressure, vibrations etc. As known, high-velocity spillway flow entrains air that is also transported by the flow. This might give rise to formation of air cavity with negative air pressure at such spillways as piano key weirs, labyrinth weirs and fuse gates featuring falling water jets. To understand the two-phase behhaviours is essential for spillway operation and potential countermeasures. As prototype air flows can not be correctly modelled in the laboratory, CFD plays a unique role in this context. This study is closely related to the ongoing upgrade projects by dam owners.Thesis goal/purposeOne spillway type (piano key weirs, labyrinth weirs or fuse gates) is to be chosen, for which experimental data are available. The project aims to achieve the following goals.(a) To simulate overflow and two-phase patterns at different discharges.(b) To compare CFD results with experimental data.(c) To clarify the scale effects of laboratory models.(d) To suggest potential countermeasures and risk reduction.Execution With a previous laboratory model in the background, the study is executed with the help of CFD modeling with ANSYS FLUENT. The previous model tests will be reviewed. Representative flow cases are simulated so as to capture the worst and most unfavorable operation scenario that gives rise to damages. Potential countermeasures are also examined in the modeling.For the students<ul><li>To get familiar with the ongoing dam-safety projects in the country</li><li>To learn about hydraulic model tests</li><li>To learn the fundamental knowledge of CFD</li><li>To develop CFD skills for simulations of spillway flows</li></ul>The project consists of the following aspects.<ol><li>Background and literature review</li><li>Data collection (spillway geometry and flows)</li><li>Learning of CFD techniques</li><li>CFD model setup with experimental verification</li><li>CFD simulations, result analyses etc.</li><li>Report writing</li></ol>

Vattenfall is a European energy company with approximately 20,000 employees. For more than 100 years we have electrified industries, supplied energy to people's homes and modernised our way of living through innovation and cooperation. We are working for fossil freedom.&nbsp;

MSc Thesis project Spillway operation safety with respect to air demand/supply

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Vattenfall

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