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New hydropower converters for very low-head differences

New hydropower converters for very low-head differences
New hydropower converters for very low-head differences
There is a significant but unused hydropower potential with head differences below 2.5 m in many countries. Standard turbine types are considered not economical in this situation, since large turbine diameters and extensive civil engineering works are required. In addition, ecological effects need to be considered. Recently, a novel power conversion mechanism which utilizes hydrostatic force differences was developed at Southampton University. Two different applications were developed: (1) the Hydrostatic Pressure Wheel for head differences between 0.2 and 1 m, and (2) the Hydrostatic Pressure Machine for head differences between 1 and 2.5 m. Theoretical analysis and four series of model tests were conducted. Efficiencies ranged from 0.5 to 0.9 for (1), and up to 0.8 for (2). The simplicity of the machines suggests economical advantages, whilst the slow speed, the continuity of the bed and the large cells promise good ecological characteristics.
0022-1686
703-714
Senior, James
7ae1a59c-56fa-472f-9fe0-33d15480c048
Saenger, Nicole
ea390dce-415c-4377-87bb-b2172e28f930
Muller, Gerald
f1a988fc-3bde-429e-83e2-041e9792bfd9
Senior, James
7ae1a59c-56fa-472f-9fe0-33d15480c048
Saenger, Nicole
ea390dce-415c-4377-87bb-b2172e28f930
Muller, Gerald
f1a988fc-3bde-429e-83e2-041e9792bfd9

Senior, James, Saenger, Nicole and Muller, Gerald (2010) New hydropower converters for very low-head differences. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 48 (6), 703-714. (doi:10.1080/00221686.2010.529301).

Record type: Article

Abstract

There is a significant but unused hydropower potential with head differences below 2.5 m in many countries. Standard turbine types are considered not economical in this situation, since large turbine diameters and extensive civil engineering works are required. In addition, ecological effects need to be considered. Recently, a novel power conversion mechanism which utilizes hydrostatic force differences was developed at Southampton University. Two different applications were developed: (1) the Hydrostatic Pressure Wheel for head differences between 0.2 and 1 m, and (2) the Hydrostatic Pressure Machine for head differences between 1 and 2.5 m. Theoretical analysis and four series of model tests were conducted. Efficiencies ranged from 0.5 to 0.9 for (1), and up to 0.8 for (2). The simplicity of the machines suggests economical advantages, whilst the slow speed, the continuity of the bed and the large cells promise good ecological characteristics.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 13 December 2010
Published date: 2010
Organisations: Civil Engineering & the Environment

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 184955
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/184955
ISSN: 0022-1686
PURE UUID: 4ad8a9e4-2612-49c1-9fa5-34b37d2a59b7

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Date deposited: 09 May 2011 12:41
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 03:10

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Contributors

Author: James Senior
Author: Nicole Saenger
Author: Gerald Muller

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