The impulse wheel as hydropower converter for irrigation systems
The impulse wheel as hydropower converter for irrigation systems
There is a significant hydropower potential in irrigation canals worldwide. Much of this potential exists as energy dissipating ramp-type fall structures. Hydropower could be employed to pump water for water saving irrigation, or to generate electricity. This hydropower is unused, since there are no cost-effective hydropower converters for the specific conditions in irrigation canals, i.e. head differences from 0.3 to 5 m and flow volumes ranging from 0.1 to 15 m3/s. At Southampton University, a simple undershot impulse-type waterwheel with 180° jet deflection was developed specifically for this application. Large scale tests, with a scaling ratio of 1:2.4, showed efficiencies of 53%, confirming predictions from theory. The model employed a novel roller-type power take-off which eliminates the requirement for a cost-intensive gearbox. The impulse wheel has considerable development potential, and could be a cost-effective solution for small hydropower sites at ramp structures.
Micro hydropower, physical model tests, renewable energy, water saving irrigation
1-9
Muller, Gerald
f1a988fc-3bde-429e-83e2-041e9792bfd9
Williams, Hannah
879e08ff-fc7e-4699-a27a-06be53e52732
Harris, Natasha
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Atkinson, Kieran
6e5610ff-8481-403a-8df1-6cf7ac3f3bc6
Goodwin, William
e4928d2c-2f30-4ef1-8963-c54f63f22fbe
Fleminger, Rory
a852c015-d6ca-47c6-ab00-1c6ce2fd07a2
5 January 2022
Muller, Gerald
f1a988fc-3bde-429e-83e2-041e9792bfd9
Williams, Hannah
879e08ff-fc7e-4699-a27a-06be53e52732
Harris, Natasha
2a2c6ad5-9d20-4108-a278-36b89b00fb47
Atkinson, Kieran
6e5610ff-8481-403a-8df1-6cf7ac3f3bc6
Goodwin, William
e4928d2c-2f30-4ef1-8963-c54f63f22fbe
Fleminger, Rory
a852c015-d6ca-47c6-ab00-1c6ce2fd07a2
Muller, Gerald, Williams, Hannah, Harris, Natasha, Atkinson, Kieran, Goodwin, William and Fleminger, Rory
(2022)
The impulse wheel as hydropower converter for irrigation systems.
ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, .
(doi:10.1080/09715010.2021.2015464).
Abstract
There is a significant hydropower potential in irrigation canals worldwide. Much of this potential exists as energy dissipating ramp-type fall structures. Hydropower could be employed to pump water for water saving irrigation, or to generate electricity. This hydropower is unused, since there are no cost-effective hydropower converters for the specific conditions in irrigation canals, i.e. head differences from 0.3 to 5 m and flow volumes ranging from 0.1 to 15 m3/s. At Southampton University, a simple undershot impulse-type waterwheel with 180° jet deflection was developed specifically for this application. Large scale tests, with a scaling ratio of 1:2.4, showed efficiencies of 53%, confirming predictions from theory. The model employed a novel roller-type power take-off which eliminates the requirement for a cost-intensive gearbox. The impulse wheel has considerable development potential, and could be a cost-effective solution for small hydropower sites at ramp structures.
Text
The impulse wheel as hydropower converter for irrigation systems
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 23 November 2021
Published date: 5 January 2022
Keywords:
Micro hydropower, physical model tests, renewable energy, water saving irrigation
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 454153
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/454153
ISSN: 2164-3040
PURE UUID: f75830ff-0d4b-4b32-a0e8-9f03458a615b
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Date deposited: 01 Feb 2022 17:43
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 15:24
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Contributors
Author:
Hannah Williams
Author:
Natasha Harris
Author:
Kieran Atkinson
Author:
William Goodwin
Author:
Rory Fleminger
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