Physics

Impeller

Hydraulic turbines

Political science

China

Flow (mathematics)

Hydraulic machinery

Mechanics

Environmental science

Specific speed

Mechanical engineering

Marine engineering

Turbine

Engineering

Centrifugal pump

The stability of pump-turbines is of great importance to the operation of pumped storage power (PSP) stations. Both hydraulic instabilities and operational instabilities have been reported in PSP stations in China. In order to provide a reference to the engineers and scientists working on pump-turbines, this paper summarizes the hydraulic instabilities and performance characteristics that promote the operational instabilities encountered in pump-turbine operations in China. Definitions, analytical methods, numerical and experimental studies, and main results are clarified. Precautions and countermeasures are also provided based on a literature review. The gaps between present studies and the need for engineering practice are pointed out.

Flow-Induced Instabilities in Pump-Turbines in China