Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2018, 8(3): 62-69

DOI: 10.5923/j.jce.20180803.02

Determination of Submergence Depth to Avoid Vortices

at Horizontal Intake Applying Flow-3D Software
Hassan Ahmadi1, Erfan Razavi2,*

1
Azad University, Roudehen Branch, Assistant Professor Civil Engineering, Iran
2
Azad University, Roudehen Branch, MSc Hydraulic Structure and Civil Engineering, Iran

Abstract Free surface vortices is considered as one of the problems of the industry in part of flood control (over flow),
agriculture, electricity and water supply plants that researchers’ effort in this way represents importance of this issue., it can
cause excessive vibration, efficiency loss, structural damage, and also flow reduction in hydro turbines, pumps, Culverts
and also can be potential risk and damage factor on the safety of power plants. The most important reasons for using the
software FLOW 3D in this thesis is the exact study of intake and making connection between software model and
Experimental model. Since software has capability to present velocity distribution in line X Y Z and other hydraulic
parameters in point of Critical depth (the first depth into that vortex is not formed). In this thesis presented the Numerical
model of horizontal intake with a Plexiglas Reservoir by length and width of 3.1 m and depth of 2.2 m and intake pipes
with a radius of 0.3, 0.25, 0.194, 0.144, 0.1, 0.05 m and length of 3 m in determining the required depth of flooding to
prevent vortex as software modeling. The results of this study can be used to derive a scrutiny relationship between the
depth of flooding in the form of equations of first grade and second grade point. This relationship has been extracted after
examining the application output and experimental data in terms of depth flood submergence depth (critical depth), intake
diameter, Froude number, the Weber number and Reynolds number.
Keywords Critical Submergence, Free Vortex, Horizontal intakes, Numerical modelling Include

force the designer to end up with intake designs that display

1. Introduction undesirable flow conditions, such as vortex. Vortices may
be formed due to several reasons, however three main
In modern world, water demand increases more and more categories were pointed out by Durgin & Hecker (1978)
due to exhausting of natural water Resources. Consequently, (Guidelines for Design of Intakes For Hydraulic Plants,
they should be used more carefully and efficiently due to 1995- Figure.1). The categories are: a) Eccentric orientation
the possibility of Facing with problems in the future. Since of the intake b) Viscous induced velocity gradients c)
water is transmitted from seas, lakes, rivers or simply Formations of eddies by obstructions.
Reservoirs through intakes to be used in power generation, However, Design of intake will be performed by
irrigation, domestic and industrial supply, Improvements in direction, location and size. Also for optimization an intake
the design criteria of the intakes have a great importance to analysis, cost, safety and efficiency must be considered.
minimize cost and to Use water efficiently. As well as, Critical submergence is the depth just before the vortex
performance of power plants is face by many difficult and formation starts. In other word, vertical distance between
problems. One of the major problems encountered during the free surface and the intake (Center of the intake, Sc* or
intake design is the specification of submergence and other top of the intake, Sc). Vortex formation in the vicinity of
design parameters in order to avoid strong free surface the intake is because that angular velocity increase due to
vortex formation. Also, electricity production and water the decrease in cross sectional area as well as local drop in
demand are arguably two most critical issues of humanity. pressure and it can cause serious operational problems on
Collection of water for energy is managed by intakes in the hydraulic system. A properly model study will
reservoirs. Design criteria and economical restrictions may determine whether free surface vortex are likely to occur.
The experiments and Numeric were limited to Horizontal
* Corresponding author: cylindrical intakes. As well as Free surface vortices have
[email protected] (Erfan Razavi)
been found to cause flow reduction, vibrations, structural
Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/jce
Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Scientific & Academic Publishing
damage, surging due to formation and dissipation of
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International vortices, and a loss of efficiency in turbine and pumps. [1]
License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ It is obvious that the formation of air-entraining vortices at
 Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2018, 8(3): 62-69 63

intake structures has a definite effect on the design criteria improve achieving the exact design guidance. The
and equipment. Thus, the location and direction of the air-entraining vortex formation problems are presented here:
intake should be so arranged and the water level should be Head losses, Generation of vibration and noise on the hydro
well above the intake to prevent the occurrence of air machine, Cavitation Reduction in discharging capacity,
entraining Vortices under the most critical scenarios (when Dam overflowing, Decrease in efficiency of pumps,
the reservoir is at dead or minimum Storage level.). Increase in wearing rate, Increase in the maintenance costs
However, to reduce the cost of construction, the intake must [3]. Prevent vortex formation: Increasing roughness in the
be placed close to the Water surface as much as possible. rigid boundaries, Designing the geometry of the intake zone
Therefore, a design problem arises between reducing the as streamlined approach to the inlet with small curvature,
cost and increasing the usable water capacity at the Slopping the floor gradually from the base to the level of
reservoir. Consequently, vortex formation at intakes should the inlet for the case of projection of inlet from the base
be researched continuously to obtain better optimization Floating raft from the base Baffle wall. On this account,
between them. The Concept of Critical Submergence is classification of free surface vortices at intakes are shown in
Vertical distance between the free surface and the intake. [3] fig 2.
In this paper, the aim is to extract scrutiny equation to

Figure 1. Causes of Vortices (Durgin & Hecker 1978)

Figure 2. Vortex strength scale used by Dargin and Anderson for classification of free surface vortices at intakes
64 Hassan Ahmadi et al.: Determination of Submergence Depth to Avoid
Vortices at Horizontal Intake Applying Flow-3D Software

2. Literature Review SC/Di= 1.70Fr = 0.47

Anwar [4], [5], [6] worked experimentally and For symmetrical approach flow conditions and,
theoretically on a steady vortex with an air core at the Sc/Di= 2.27Fr
entrance of an outlet pipe and also on solutions to suppress
vortex formation. In fact, the extracted equation in this paper is much more
Blasdell and Donnelly [7] carried out a study in order to comprehensive compared to the above equations. Moreover,
investigate the use of hood inlet since this type inlet is simple, it contain various parameters of the flow, for instance, weber,
economical, and can be easily installed for agricultural Reynolds and Froude numbers.
purposes. The hood inlet is formed by cutting a pipe at an Yıldırım [13], [14], [15], [16] et al. (2009) investigated the
angle and it is placed such that the longer part is at the top. effects of dimensions and relative positions of two (dual)
During experiments on the hood inlet, a number of different Vertical and horizontal intake pipes on the critical
types of vortex inhibitors were tested in order to prevent submergence. As a result of experiments, the critical
vortex formation at the inlet. Jain et al. [11] conducted submergence of the dual intakes is larger than a single intake
experiments with two geometrically similar cylindrical tanks pipes because in dual pipe system.
by placing vertically oriented intake pipe at the center of the
bottom boundary of the tanks. The critical submergence ratio
was found to be a function of the Froude number in the 3. Numerical Modeling
following form from the experimental data which are valid Figure of Comparisons of Vorticity Contours for Grid
for the range of Froude number; 1.1 ≤ Fr ≤ 20. Gordon [9] Dependency and Coarse mesh out of plane vorticity contour
has concluded that it is hard to investigate the effect of the of Horizontal intake Vortex on a side plane close to free
geometry on formation of vortices. Therefore, it was decided surface as well as velocity magnitude are presented (Fig 3
to focus on other parameters which affect the vortex and Fig 4).
formation. According to the available data, the following
formulas were derived to find the critical submergence ratio:

Figure 3. Numerical Model (perspective view)

Figure 4. Vortex formation and Critical submergence with coarse mesh

 Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2018, 8(3): 62-69 65

Numerical modeling were designed to find out the strength of the vortices are comparable. Coarser mesh ended
importance of following settings: Submergence level of the up with a very acceptable result so there is no need to further
intake, location and surroundings of the intake, and the refine mesh and increase the difficulty that already exists due
Downstream velocity inside the intake. to the time and computer constraints.
Vortex is obviously seen in both mesh sizes where the

Figure 5a. Vorticity magnitude contours in Critical submergence depth

Figure 5b. Vorticity magnitude contours in Critical submergence depth

Figure 6. Top view of ALİ BAYKARA’s experimental intake

66 Hassan Ahmadi et al.: Determination of Submergence Depth to Avoid
Vortices at Horizontal Intake Applying Flow-3D Software

In this paper, the number of grid points for the models length and width and 2.20 m in Plexiglas intake pipes of
varies from 300.000 to 1.100.000, and the number of grids diameters 30.0 cm, 25.0 cm, 19.4 cm, 14.4 cm, 10.0 cm and
for the prototypes varies from 3.000.000 to 4.400.000 5.0 cm were Installed to the extended dead-end for each set
depending on the sidewall clearance b and flow depth h. of experiments in this order.
Figure 5.a and 5.b shows the grid of the model case that has
mesh size of 0.1 for outer and mesh size of 0.07 for inner
mesh blocks. It is precisely noticed that the critical 4. Results
submergence values obtained with numerical solution have
quiet difference from the experimental ones. When LES In the present study effect of Froude, weber number and
model is used instead of laminar solution, it yields more diameters of pipe intake on the formation of free surface
accurate submergence values. This improvement is related to vortices at horizontal intakes were investigated numerically.
resolution of turbulence close to the walls in the LES model The available data were analysed and equation for critical
which was not possible in the laminar solution. Although submergence was derived.
LES is able to decrease the error to some extent; there still The Analysis relationship and equation presented here
exists a noticeable gap between numerical and experimental considers the various variables influencing the critical
results. To investigate the possible reasons of this submergence of the intake structure. And the functional
inconsistency, vortex formations are interpreted through relationship (equation) can be written for Sc/Di as
different comparisons. Sc/Di = 0.556248+ 0.29 Fr2 + 0.0000001 Re2
Flow-3D is a powerful computational fluid dynamics -0.0000001We2
(CFD) code, based on solving the Navier Stokes Equations. Where
Flow-3D uses finite volume approximations of the mass, Sc= critical submergence
momentum and energy equations in three dimensions to Di= diameter of the horizontal intake
analyze the complex fluid problems. It also has models for Fr= Froude number
sediment transport, moving rigid bodies, flows in porous Re= Reynolds number
media, etc. There are five main tabs the user will go from one We= Weber number
to another while designing the applicable model. These tabs The weber number is showed:
are:
1- Navigator: This is the screen that user will see the
Where the density of the fluid (kg/m3), its velocity (m/s)
simulation files, portfolio summary and the path of the
and surface tension (N/m)
location of the simulation files.
l is its characteristic length, typically the droplet diameter
2- Model Setup: The flow domain is designed, the
(m)
meshing is done, and the physical and the numerical
The modified Weber number equals the ratio of the kinetic
parameters are entered. There are six sub tabs at model setup
energy on impact to the surface energy.
tab: General, Physics, Fluids, Meshing, Geometry, Output,
And,
and Numeric.
The Reynolds number is defined below for each case.
3- Simulation: This screen provides information about the
progress of the simulation. Graphics related to the
simulations such as time step size, pressure iteration count Where the velocity of the object relative to the fluid (m/s),
etc. can be examined here when needed. the dynamic viscosity of the fluid (Pa·s or N·s/m2 or kg/
4- Analyze: This tab enables the user basically to analyze (m·s)).
the results as a text or in 1D, 2D and 3D plots. Iso surface and l is a characteristic linear dimension, (travelled length of
color variables are chosen among the options 15. the fluid; hydraulic diameter when dealing with river
According to the object of the study. Any time interval and systems) (m), the density of the fluid is in (kg/m3).
any part of the system can be chosen to analyze. This will The purpose of the numerical study and obtain this
save time. relationship was to initiate development of design
5- Display: This is the screen where user will see the information to assist an intake designer in the avoidance of
visual results based on the criteria chosen at the analyze tab. free surface vortices.
Taking a snapshot of the screen or making a movie is Figures of difference between experimental data and
possible. numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number (Fig
The Ali Baykara’s reservoir, shown in Figures is 3.10 m in 7).
 Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2018, 8(3): 62-69 67

Figure 7a. Difference between experimental data and numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number (Intake pipe diameter=30)

Figure 7b. Difference between experimental data and numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number (Intake pipe diameter=25)

Figure 7c. Difference between experimental data and numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number (Intake pipe diameter=19.4)
68 Hassan Ahmadi et al.: Determination of Submergence Depth to Avoid
Vortices at Horizontal Intake Applying Flow-3D Software

Figure 7d. Difference between experimental data and numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number (Intake pipe diameter=14.4)

Figure 7e. Difference between experimental data and numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number (Intake pipe diameter=10)

Figure 7f. Difference between experimental data and numerical values of Sc/Di versus rate of Froude number
 Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2018, 8(3): 62-69 69

5. Conclusions and Recommendations Falls Hydraulic Laboratory.

From the experimental and numerical study, the following [8] Jain, A.K., Kittur, G.R.R., and Ramachandra, J.G. (1978),
“Air Entrainment in Radial Flow towards Intakes”, J.
conclusion can be drawn: Hydraulic Div., ASCE, HY9, 1323-1329.
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intake design criteria and calibrations model as well as [9] Gordon, J.L. (1970), “Vortices at Intakes”, Water Power
functional relationship to avoid free-surface vortices at 1970(4), 137-138.
horizontal intakes. [10] Knauss, J. (1987), “Swirling Flow Problems at Intakes”, A.A.
2- Sc/Di values decrease gradually and almost linearly Balkema, Rotterdam.
with increasing side walls length of an intake pipe of known
[11] Padmanabhan, M. and Hecker, G.E. (1984), “Scale Effects in
diameter. Pump Sump Models”, J. Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, 110,
3- Sc/Di values increase gradually and almost linearly HY11, 1540-1556.
with increasing Fr, Re and We of an intake pipe of known
diameter. [12] Reddy, Y.R. and Pickford, J.A. (1972), “Vortices at Intakes in
Conventional Sumps”, Water Power 1972(3), 108-109
4- The meshing is divided into two regions: 1) a region
where intake vortices are unlikely and a model study in not [13] Yıldırım, N. and Kocabaş, F. (1995), “Critical Submergence
required expect with extremely poor approach conditions, for Intakes in Open Channel Flow”, J. Hydraulic Engng.,
ASCE, 121, HY12, 900-905.
and 2) a region with a good possibility of intake vortices,
where a coarser mesh recommended. [14] Yıldırım, N., Kocabaş, F. and Gülcan, S.C. (2000),
5- Region 2, where intake vortices are a good possibility, “Flow-Boundary Effects on Critical Submergence of Intake
is very large, encompassing many hydropower facilities. Pipe”, J. Hydraulic Engineering. ASCE, 126, HY4, 288-297.
This is because minimum intake submergence to avoid [15] Yıldırım, N. and Kocabaş, F. (2002), “Prediction of Critical
vortex formation is highly dependent upon approach Submergence for an Intake Pipe”, J.. Hydraulic Research,
conditions, which are site specific. 42:2, 240-250
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Sc/Di = 0.556248+ 0.29 Fr2 + 0.0000001 Re2 47:2, 242-249.
-0.0000001We2 [17] Daggett, L.L. and Keulegan, G.H. (1974), “Similitude in
For all the arrangements considered. Free-Surface Vortex Formations”, J. Hydraulic Div., ASCE,
HY11, 1565-1581.
[18] Gulliver, J.S. and Rindels, A.J. (1983), “An Experimental
Study of Critical Submergence to Avoid Free-surface
Vortices at Vertical Intakes”, Project Report No: 224,
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