With the support of Northwest Hydraulic Consultants (NHC) and VorTech-Water Solutions.

By Robert Ettema, David Z. Zhu, Susan J. Gaskin, Sean Mulligan, Troy C. Lyons, Robert Boes, Shu Ning Chan, Joseph H. W. Lee

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Published: August 2023
ISBN (electronic): 978-90-833476-0-8
ISBN (printed): IS978-90-833476-1-5
ISSN: 2959-7978

This Water Monograph shows how designers use swirl and vortex generation to design vortex-flow intakes used to create vortex flows in dropshafts. Special focus is given to tangential vortex intakes, as this form is becoming especially common in urban areas. In addition, this monograph considers when swirl and vortex formation are undesired for intakes, especially submerged intakes such as used for hydropower and pumps. In so doing, this monograph serves as an update of the valuable 1987 IAHR monograph. The use of vortex-flow intakes has grown substantially since IAHR’s original monograph and will continue to grow in the foreseeable future.

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About the authors

• Robert Ettema, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering. Colorado State University, Colorado, USA

• David Z. Zhu, Professor, Ningbo University, Zhejiang, China and Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental

• Engineering. University of Alberta, Alberta, Canada

• Susan J. Gaskin, Professor, Civil Engineering. McGill University, Quebec, Canada

• Sean Mulligan, Founder and CEO at VorTech Water Solutions Ltd. Galway, Ireland

• Troy C. Lyons, Associate Director and Director of Engineering Services, IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering. University of Iowa, Iowa, USA

• Robert Boes, Professor, Laboratory of Hydraulics. Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich, Switzerland

• Shu Ning Chan, Research Assistant Professor (former), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR China

• Joseph H. W. Lee, President and Chair Professor, Macau University of Science and Technology. Macao SAR China

Opinions from experts

"This IAHR Water Monograph offers a comprehensive overview of the hydraulics of swirling flows commonly encountered in vortex dropshafts, reservoir intakes, and pump intakes. It encompasses significant advancements in our understanding of swirling flows over the past few decades, attributed to the progress in numerical modelling and laboratory measurement technology. The monograph provides valuable guidance for researchers, hydraulic modellers, and engineers engaged in studying and working with swirling flows and vortex intake design."

Can Hua (Ken) Zhao

How to cite

Ettema, Robert, Zhu David Z, et al. Vortex- flow intakes. IAHR WATER MONOGRAPHS, International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), Spain. pp1-140, (2024).  https://www.iahr.org/library/infor?pid=28033