Penstock Airvent Analysis

Project ID: 1607
Principal Investigator: Josh Mortensen
Research Topic: Improved Power Generation
Funded Fiscal Years: 2016 and 2017
Keywords: None

Research Question

How does a hydraulic jump or falling water surface in a penstock during an emergency gate closure influence the total air demand required to protect the penstock?

Need and Benefit

The need for more confidence in air vent analyses, especially for marginal cases, becomes more prevalent as our infrastructure ages. A significant benefit of the proposed study will be that the improved analytical methods will be widely applicable throughout Reclamation. It will reduce the need for site specific studies and testing. By conducting physical laboratory testing under a range of operational conditions and configurations, results from both current and past studies can be combined to optimize an analytical method that can be applied to a range of air venting systems for hydropower penstocks and dam outlet works.

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Penstock Airvent Analysis (final, PDF, 1.7MB)
By Josh Mortensen
Research Product completed on September 30, 2017

This research product summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

Penstock Airvent Analysis (final, PDF, 1.7MB)
By Josh Mortensen
Research Product completed on September 30, 2017

This research product summarizes the research results and potential application to Reclamation's mission.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20