Improving Hydroturbine Runner Quality through Scantech's Advanced 3D Scanning Technology

HANGZHOU, China - May 24, 2024 - PRLog -- A hydroturbine runner is the core component of a hydroelectric generating unit, responsible for converting water energy into mechanical energy. Inspecting the hydroturbine runner manufactured is vital because it frequently suffers from abrasion due to erosion and cavitation during service.

ANDRITZ (https://www.andritz.com/group-en) is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, automation solutions and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, the metalworking and steel industries.

In this case, ANDRITZ used Scantech's 3D solutions to inspect a large-sized runner, which requires precise measures for quality control.

Inspect a 4-meter Hydroturbine Runner

The object of inspection is a hydroturbine runner. This particular runner is a machined steel cast part, notable for its substantial dimensions with a diameter of 4320 mm. It weighs around 1000 kg, reflecting the robustness required to withstand the forces it encounters during operation.

Technical Requirements for Inspection with 3D Scanning

The inspection demands an accuracy of up to 30 microns, which is crucial for capturing the finest details of the runner's complex geometry and ensuring that any potential defects are identified with utmost precision. Additionally, the entire scanning process must be completed within a 2-hour timeframe, posing a significant challenge in terms of efficiency.

Scantech's 3D Solutions for Inspections in the Energy Sector (https://www.3d-scantech.com/applications/energy-and-heavy...)

The KSCAN-Magic portable 3D scanner (https://www.3d-scantech.com/product/kscan-magic-composite...) is at the heart of Scantech's 3D inspection solution, offering portability and the ability to utilize an infrared mode for enhanced scanning capabilities. This feature is particularly beneficial for capturing the large-scale parts and complex surfaces of the runner. The entire scanning operation is designed to be completed within a 2-hour duration, demonstrating the scanner's rapid performance without sacrificing accuracy.

Impressively, the results of the scanning process have met the standards required for the project, achieving an accuracy of under 30 microns. This level of precision is critical for ensuring that the hydroturbine runner is maintained to the highest standards, guaranteeing its reliability and efficiency in energy production.

Advantages of Scantech's 3D Scanning Solution

Large-area Scanning: Scantech's KSCAN-Magic has a large-area scanning mode with 11 parallel infrared laser lines, which stands out as a superior solution for scanning large components like hydroturbine runners. It can scan large areas with its ultimate scanning area reaching 1440 mm * 860 mm, which allows for wide-range measurements with ease.

Accuracy: The KSCAN-Magic 3D laser scanner delivers high precision scanning capabilities with an accuracy of up to 0.020 mm, effectively eliminating the common issue of data merging errors. When used with MSCAN-L15 photogrammetry system, it achieves even higher precision.

Efficiency: Remarkably, the entire scanning process can be completed within a mere 2 hours thanks to its scanning rate of up to 2,700,000 measurement/s. This level of efficiency is particularly beneficial in industrial settings.