A large-scale Pelton turbine runner with a maximum unit power of 150 megawatts rolled off the production line on May 16.
Independently developed by Dongfang Electric Corporation (DEC), the runner opened a new chapter in China's high-quality hydropower generation industry.
A model of the large-scale impulse runner with a maximum unit power of 150 megawatts independently developed by Dongfang Electric Corporation [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The newly-developed runner is about 20 metric tons and has a maximum diameter of about four meters. It will be installed in the Jinwo Hydropower Station in the Tianwan River basin in Ya'an, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, and is scheduled to be put into operation this June.
The DEC-developed three-dimensional building software and an advanced simulated analysis computing method was adopted to improve development and design optimization efficiency of the runner.
The development team also improved the stress distribution to ensure a long fatigue cycle life of the runner.
What's more, the wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) technology, similar to 3D printing, was innovatively used during the development, which cut down the thickness of the forge piece, lowered difficulty of its production and effectively reduced the mechanical processing in the post-production period.
Digital technology was also combined with WAAM, realizing remote control and unmanned operation as well as customized design and manufacturing during the runner's development.
Research on the high-head large-capacity impulse hydraulic generator unit is the best solution to realizing balanced development and environmental protection in western regions of China where vast plateaus and numerous valleys abound.
DEC started such study in 2019 and by 2020 had successfully built a world-leading impulse hydraulic model test platform, owning the capacity to carry out impact runner hydraulic research and experiments meeting international and domestic regulations and standards.
In May 2021, DEC signed an agreement on research and development of the Pelton-type runner for the cascade hyropower stations in the Tianwan River basin and in November 2022, the prototype of the 150-MW impulse runner passed acceptance.
DEC's next step will be to continue to work together with related departments to push forward key and core technologies of the ultra-large impulse hydraulic generator unit to improve China's core competitiveness in the energy equipment industry.
(Executive editor: Xie Yunxiao)
