Abstract One of the most cost-effective and environmentally sound methods of developing hydropower is through the uprating of hydroelectric turbines. In many countries hydroelectric dams have turbines that are approaching their expected service life, with plans underway to install replacement turbines that are expected to improve fish passage survival. To validate these improvements, there is a need to develop a baseline hydraulic characterization of existing Kaplan turbines. An autonomous sensor device known as the Sensor Fish was deployed at Ice Harbor Dam to characterize the hydraulics under different operating conditions. Nadir pressures varied by operating condition, with values decreasing with operating power (144–106 kPaA). Pressure changes during turbine passage varied by operating condition, with values increasing with operating power (311–344 kPa). There were slightly more significant events (acceleration ≥95G) in the stay vane/wicket gate region than the runner region. Rotational velocity data were similar between operating conditions. Sensor Fish data amassed during field studies in similar turbines were used for comparison. This study offers critical insights into the biological performance of large Kaplan turbines and provides vital information that can be used to make informed decisions that lead to additional design or operational improvements.

中文翻译：

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大型卡普兰涡轮机的水力和生物学特性

摘要 水电涡轮机的升级改造是开发水电的最具成本效益和最环保的方法之一。在许多国家，水电大坝的涡轮机已接近其预期使用寿命，并且正在计划安装替代涡轮机，以提高鱼类通过的存活率。为了验证这些改进，需要开发现有卡普兰涡轮机的基线水力特性。在冰港大坝部署了一种称为 Sensor Fish 的自主传感器设备，以表征不同操作条件下的液压系统。最低点压力因操作条件而异，其值随着操作功率 (144–106 kPaA) 而降低。涡轮通道期间的压力变化因操作条件而异，值随着操作功率 (311–344 kPa) 增加。与转轮区域相比，撑条/导板门区域中的事件（加速度≥95G）略显着。不同操作条件下的转速数据相似。在类似涡轮机的现场研究期间收集的 Sensor Fish 数据用于比较。这项研究提供了对大型卡普兰涡轮机生物学性能的重要见解，并提供了可用于做出明智决策的重要信息，从而导致额外的设计或运营改进。在类似涡轮机的现场研究期间收集的 Sensor Fish 数据用于比较。这项研究提供了对大型卡普兰涡轮机生物学性能的重要见解，并提供了可用于做出明智决策的重要信息，从而导致额外的设计或运营改进。在类似涡轮机的现场研究期间收集的 Sensor Fish 数据用于比较。这项研究提供了对大型卡普兰涡轮机生物学性能的重要见解，并提供了可用于做出明智决策的重要信息，从而导致额外的设计或运营改进。