Development and Validation of Mathematical Model for Tailrace Tunnel Ventilating Process in Hydropower Station

When outdoor air flowing through the tailrace tunnel, it will be handled and its thermodynamic conditions will change under the differences of temperature and water vapor pressure between air and water surface, air and tunnel wall. Utilizing the handled air for space cooling in hydropower station is an energy saving, environmental protection and renewable application of natural cold source. In this paper, a detailed quasi-three-dimensional mathematical model of heat and moisture transfer of tailrace tunnel ventilating was developed and validated against the field test data from Yingxiuwan hydropower station, and the validation shows that the model predicts the test results very well. The model can be used to predict the heat and moisture performance of tailrace tunnel ventilating system.