Résumé

Cavitation resulting from the implosion of vapor cavities leads to severe erosion of the materials that compose hydraulic turbines. A system to detect erosion using vibration measurements has been installed on 4 hydropower units and the data was collected. The preliminary analysis enhanced the complexity of the phenomenon. Indeed, changes in the relationship between cavitation and various operating variables were observed and could be due to a seasonal behavior or different operating conditions. Using hierarchical clustering and regression models, we formalize this heterogeneity by developing a model which includes operating variables such as active power, tail water level and gate opening.

Paule Bodson-Clermont