Simulación numérica del flujo de sedimentos en el desarenador del Proyecto Hidroeléctrico Coca Codo Sinclair

Abstract

This work was carried out in order to establish the pattern of water flow and sediment in the sedimentation tank of the Hydroelectric Project “Coca Codo Sinclair” (CCS), using the three-dimensional numerical modeling software SSIIM (Simulation of sediment movement in Water Intakes with Multi block options), which is based on the approximation of a control volume using a three-dimensional mesh for the water flow calculation through the Navier-Stokes equations with the K-epsilon turbulence model, while for the sediment transport the Convection-Diffusion equation is solved. To carry out the study of the flow pattern of water and sediment, was implemented the numerical model to the prototype of the project, obtaining the velocity distribution, streamlines, sediment concentration and storage areas to along the sedimentation tank. The results obtained from the numerical simulation performed in SSIIM, were compared and analyzed with the results obtained in studies of the physical model and system flushing sediment SEDICON Sluicer implemented for the project and which were executed by the laboratory of Yellow River in Zhengzhou -China, and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) of Mexico, finding compatibility between the results of numerical simulation and the results of physical model. From the results and the analysis has been concluded that: i) The design conceived to the sedimentation tank has high retention efficiency (97%) for the design particles (0.25mm), and ii) Numerical modeling by SSIIM presents a good performance for the three-dimensional simulation of the movement of water and sediment movement processes in the sedimentation tank, being recommended for use for the study and evaluation of hydraulic structures in general.