Hydraulic Services

SOLUTION

Water Intakes, Pumping Stations and Outlet Optimisation

Ensure a proper evaluation of your power and industrial plant’s intake system, pumps and outfall design before construction for improved performance

What you can achieve

Power and industrial plants often draw water from neighbouring rivers and oceans to maintain water supply. Specialised extraction systems complete with an intake velocity cap, intake pipeline and pumping station, help move filtered water to the plant – while outlet structures and diffusers discharge water to the environment.

These systems must meet international standards while operating efficiently and sustainably. That’s where we come in. From engineering desk studies to state-of-the-art numerical and physical modelling, DHI’s world-leading hydraulic services team can help you achieve:

Design conformance

Our specialists will ensure all designs conform to international guidelines (ANSI/HI 9.8) and best practices

Cost savings

To mitigate pressure loss, we conduct flow evaluations inside the velocity cap, identify 'dead zones' in the pumping station and assess sedimentation & outlet diffuser dilution capacity

Less wear and tear

Through an optimised approach to water flow and pump inlets, you'll experience less vortex formations and wear and tear on the system.

Improved management

By avoiding critical water surface surges due to sudden changes in the pumping rates, you can manage start-up and emergency scenarios with more confidence

Minimal plume recirculation

Modifications to the layout of outfall and intake systems can help to significantly reduce plume recirculation

A one-stop shop for all your inlet/outfall hydraulic service needs

Hydraulic services at a glance

Engineering desk studies

To ensure alignment with international best practices, our specialists calculate head loss and evaluate your designs against the ANSI/HI 9.8 guidelines.

Transient analysis

These studies are designed to provide a greater understanding of the transient effects of the water surface in a pumping station during a pump start up and pump trip.

3D flow simulations

To identify problematic areas, test remedial measures and optimise the design, we use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate the 3D fluid flow in and around intake and outfall structures.

Physical modelling experiments

For final verification of the structures, we conduct physical model experiments in accordance with ANSI/HI 9.8 guidelines. These experiments are especially useful for observing complex phenomena such as vortex generation and pre-swirl at pump bell mouths and the mixing of air in outfall structures.

Explore additional intake and outfall solutions

Hydrodynamic force calculations to support structural design
Scour assessment around the bottom of fixed structures, such as velocity caps
Systems optimisation by evaluating remedial measures such as baffles and floor splitters
Assessment of air entrainment into the intake system caused by offshore waves
Sediment reduction as a result of intake system optimisation

'The DHI team responded to our request for physical scale model tests with a technical high-quality proposal. They managed to carry out a complex model build and instrumentation of the pumping station model and provided detailed and continuous feedback on performance during fabrication, instrumentation and testing.’

Jens Bjerritsgaard and Karl Norbert KinigerHead of Project Department and Application Manager, Grundfos A/S

'HOFOR and our consultant NIRAS found it necessary to have the untraditional and extreme design verified before initiating the construction. In addition to CFD simulations, a scale model test was specified. HOFOR is very satisfied with the way the model was built, and with the tests conducted by DHI and Grundfos. The tests resulted in some optimisations and finally in a satisfying result. HOFOR is now fully confident the design will work in full scale. The cooperation has been excellent and the delivery was on time.'

Niels EriksenChief Consultant, HOFOR

‘DHI efficiently and professionally performed desk study and advanced CFD modelling (using the OpenFoam® model) to optimise and verify adequate hydraulic conditions and flow through the pump station, while being fully compliant with governing international standards. Simulations were carried out for operational conditions as well as for transient conditions during pump start-up, shut-down and pump trip to identify extreme water level variations, which is of significant importance to pump station design. Their cooperation throughout the study was excellent and professional, resulting in on-time delivery and the achievement of high international standards.''

Thomas GierlevsenTechnical Director, COWI A/S