The pumping and turbine running storage tank of a reservoir is a hydraulic infrastructure, typically located at the base of the reservoir, where water is stored to serve as a regulation for pumping or turbine running. From this infrastructure, water will be pumped to fill the reservoir through the adduction channel that connects with the Canal of Monegros.
One of the most important aspects of this water storage design is to ensure an orderly, homogeneous and low-speed flow in the proximity of the pumps to optimize their operation.

In this context, nablaDot has supported with fluid simulations the design of this storage tank that complies with the water flow requirements in the vicinity of the pumps and, in addition, is a design whose construction and subsequent operation are technically and economically viable. With fluid simulations, a relevant number of alternatives such as separation walls, pillars or the installation of bars were assessed until reaching the optimal design shown in the following figure.

The fluid flow presents a recirculation in the storage tank. Still, the installation of bars manages to homogenize water flow in the pumping zone, as observed in the following figure.

Thanks to the fluid simulation techniques, a relatively simple design (constructive and operationally), which meets the established requirements, was found.  In the following figure, an image of the storage tank is shown during its construction.