PIV Measurements of Air Distribution in a Reduced-Scale Model - Ventilation of a Busbar Corridor in a Hydropower Station

On the basis of modelling with similarity theory and by using the Archimedes number, Ar, as the similitude parameter, this paper analyzes the air distribution of a busbar corridor in a hydropower station by using the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurement technique. The measurements were conducted in a 1:50 scale model for nine different operating conditions, including three air supply rates: 0.75G0, G0, 1.25 G0 and three heat release rates: 0.75Q0, Q0, 1.25 Q0 (G0 and Q0 are design values). The variation regularity of air distribution for the nine conditions were analyzed and evaluated based on the following aspects: the airflow pattern in the busbar corridor, the efficiency of energy utilization and the uniformity of air velocity and air temperature in the occupied zone. The experimental results show that the confluence of two air supply jets forms a cold airflow attached on the ground of the occupied zone, and that the attached distance increases with larger modified Archimedes number ArQ...