The influence of a combined aerator on aeration characteristics

Aerators with sharp lateral enlargements and bottom drops generally cause adverse effects in spillway tunnels with a mild base slope, including serious cavity back flow and water wings striking the tunnel roof. Taking RM Hydropower Station’s spillway tunnel as its example, this paper proposes a new type of combined aerator characterized by a “variable base slope” longitudinally and a transverse “sharp enlargement plus straight section.” This not only increases cavity stability, resulting in more effective aeration, but also inhibits the development of water wings, contributing to an improved pattern of water flow. In addition, this paper systematically explores the influence of the flip bucket (drop), gently sloping section, and steeply sloping section of the “variable base slope” aerator upon the aerated cavity and summarizes the rules according to which the sharp lateral enlargement and diffusion angle influence the formation of water wings. This offers technical solutions, with theoretical support, for the design of aerators in spillway tunnels with a mild base slope.