Numerical Study of Frazil Ice Evolution in Diversion Channel of Hydropower Station

Frazil ice evolution can result in serious ice damage. Ice damage is a danger to the operation of hydropower station. A 3-D Eulerian multiphase model incorporating the high Reynolds number k-epsiv turbulence model is developed to analyze the formation and evolution of Frazil ice. Frazil ice evolution in the diversion channel of one hydropower station is used as a case. It is concluded that the ice temperature increases quickly along the river, while the water temperature recovers from a minimum value. Ice concentration is very low at the beginning of the diversion channel. After the sudden point, ice concentration increases quickly. The location of the lowest water temperature and sudden change of ice concentration is very near. The study on Frazil ice evolution has a great significance to construction and operation of hydropower station.