Review of Research on Abrasion and Cavitation of Silt-Laden Flows Through Hydraulic Turbines in China

Silt content is very high in many rivers in China. A large number of hydraulic turbines working in these rivers encounters serious problems of silt abrasion and aggravated cavitaion. In lighter cases machine performances are impaired and in serious cases structural damages may result. In recent years, Chinese hydraulic engineers are faced with the serious challenge of solving the problems of silt-laden flow in the many hydro projects on the Huanghe (Yellow River) and the Changjiang (Yangtze River) and many other silt-laden rivers. Attention has been focused on the cavitation erosion rate in the sediment carrying flow, that is, the effects of silt concentration on the cavitation behavior and intensity of cavitation erosion. This report covers the major results of field observation and analysis of extensive laboratory research in recent years.