Design and control of a new hydraulic test rig for small hydro turbines

When addressing the design and the optimization of hydraulic turbines, numerical simulations can be a relatively fast and cost-effective way to evaluate performance and to explore flow hydrodynamics. To validate the simulation process, particularly in the case of multiphase and unsteady flows, and to complete the final development of turbines, model testing in a laboratory is still essential. The current testing methods can provide precise measurements necessary to predict the performance of hydraulic turbines in their prescribed operating range and beyond. Nevertheless, measurement precision and repeatability are essential. This paper introduces a state-of-the-art approach using automatic regulation for test rigs, as installed at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland.