This study examines the S-characteristic, a key factor affecting the safe grid connection and operation of pumped-storage units, and its significant impact on the safety of pumped-storage power stations. We conducted numerical simulations and model experiments to investigate vortex motion characteristics in the vaneless space and runner passage of pump-turbines operating within the S-shaped region, along with an analysis of pressure pulsation characteristics. The accuracy of these simulations was validated through laser Doppler velocimetry experiments, and particle image velocimetry experiments were used to capture vortex motion in the vaneless space. We observed that vortices generated on the guide vane side follow the flow direction, blocking the guide vane passage, while those generated by runner blades move in the opposite direction. Employing an entropy production theory and the Liutex method, we investigated vortex distribution and hydraulic loss in the S-shaped region. The results show that reduced flow rates lead to significant vortices in the vaneless space and guide vane area, which become main contributors to energy loss in this region. These vortices, along with those in the runner passage, mainly arise from flow separation on blade and guide vane surfaces due to suboptimal inflow conditions. The study also identifies pressure fluctuations in the vaneless space, induced by a rotating stall, as the most significant pressure pulsation phenomenon, which significantly impacts the performance of the unit in both upstream and downstream directions.

When the Francis-type reversible pump-turbine runs under partial load, the pressure pulsation amplitude and frequency in vaneless space are high, posing a serious threat to the stability of unit operation. Water presents weak compressibility in a high-head pump-turbine, thereby affecting the amplitude–frequency characteristics of pressure pulsation. This study used numerical simulations in a model and prototype pump-turbine and particle image velocimetry (PIV) in a model pump-turbine to examine the internal flow field and pressure pulsation characteristics and determine the effect of the flow in the vaneless space on the amplitude–frequency characteristics of the pressure pulsation. The pressure pulsation amplitude–frequency characteristics were verified through prototype tests. The effects of the weak compressibility of the water on the propagation law of pressure pulsation throughout the flow passage of the prototype and model pump-turbine were roughly similar but exhibited certain differences. Considering the weak compressibility of water, the pressure pulsation fluctuations in each flow passage of the prototype and model pump-turbine exhibit varying degrees of improvement, which is more obvious at the prototype scale. Therefore, the pressure wave disturbance caused by the weak compressibility of the water has different effects on the prototype scale and model scale of the high-head Francis pump-turbine.

The flow characteristics of the draft tube of a Francis turbine have a significant influence on turbine stability. Numerical simulations were performed for a Francis turbine under three different output conditions of 20%, 100%, and 120% at the rated and maximum heads. Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) tests were conducted to test the flow characteristics of the draft tube of the Francis turbine model. The flow characteristics in the draft tube, the mechanism of the flow characteristics change, and the effect of the opening on the vortex rope were analyzed. The results showed that the large and invisible vortex in the conical cross-section at the inlet of the draft tube gradually changed to a tangible vortex rope as the guide vane opening (GVO) increased. The pressure and velocity are significantly influenced by the GVO, and the flow characteristics in the draft tube improve as the GVO increases. Simultaneously, the influence range of the vortex rope increased as the head increased.