12-12-2012, 04:13 PM
SET UP OF FLOATING HYDRO TURBINE
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ABSTRACT
Electricity generation using FHT works on the basic principle of Hydroelectric Generator. Waterpower is the combination of HEAD and FLOW. Head and Flow are the two most important things you need to know about the site. Every aspect of a hydro system revolves around Head and Flow. The generation of electricity is simply the conversion of one form of power to another. The turbine converts water power into rotational power at its shaft, which is then converted to electrical power by the generator. Hydropower converts the energy in flowing water into electricity. The volume of water flow determines the quantity of electricity generated and the amount of "head" (the height from turbines in the power plant to the water surface) created by the dam. The greater the flow and head, the more electricity produced. A typical hydropower plant includes a dam, reservoir, penstocks (pipes), a powerhouse and an electrical power substation. The dam stores water and creates the head; penstocks carry water from the reservoir to turbines inside the powerhouse; the water rotates the turbines, which drive generators that produce electricity. The electricity is then transmitted to a substation where transformers increase voltage to allow transmission to homes.
Introduction
Our group has selected the Hydroelectric Generator using floating turbine concept in order to utilize knowledge and experience obtained from different power engineering classes. The most difficult part of the project will be synchronizing the speed at which we can spin the turbine with the optimal speed of the motor/generator. We may need to boost the signal from the pump in order to obtain our goals. This project will be exciting because it will allow us to design and build a small hydro-generation system. This system will give insight into the complex task of finding a reliable energy source for future use.
How Hydropower Works
Hydropower converts the energy in flowing water into electricity. The volume of water flow determines the quantity of electricity generated and the amount of "head" (the height from turbines in the power plant to the water surface) created by the dam. The greater the flow and head, the more electricity produced.
A typical hydropower plant includes a dam, reservoir, penstocks (pipes), a powerhouse and an electrical power substation. The dam stores water and creates the head; penstocks carry water from the reservoir to turbines inside the powerhouse; the water rotates the turbines, which drive generators that produce electricity. The electricity is then transmitted to a substation where transformers increase voltage to allow transmission to homes, businesses and factories.
Types of Hydropower Plants
Conventional: Most hydropower plants are conventional in design, meaning they use one-way water flow to generate electricity. There are two categories of conventional plants, run-of-river and storage plants.
Run-of-river plants
These plants use little, if any, stored water to provide water flow through the turbines. Although some plants store a day or week's worth of water, weather changes, especially seasonal changes, cause run-of-river plants to experience significant fluctuations in power output.
Storage plants - These plants have enough storage capacity to off-set seasonal fluctuations in water flow and provide a constant supply of electricity throughout the year. Large dams can store several years worth of water.
Pumped Storage: In contrast to conventional hydropower plants, pumped storage plants reuse water. After water initially produces electricity, it flows from the turbines into a lower reservoir located below the dam. During off-peak hours (periods of low energy demand), some of the water is pumped into an upper reservoir and reused during periods of peak-demand.
Building Hydropower Plants
Most hydropower plants are built through federal or local agencies as part of a multi-purpose project. In addition to generating electricity, dams and reservoirs provide flood control, water supply, irrigation, transportation, recreation and refuges for fish and birds. Private utilities also build hydropower plants, although not as many as government agencies.
Overview
System Components:
An intake collects the water and a pipeline delivers it to the turbine, The turbine converts the water's energy into mechanical shaft power. The turbine drives the generator which converts shaft power into electricity. In an AC system, this power goes directly to the loads. In a battery-based system, the power is stored in batteries, which feed the loads as needed. Controllers may be required to regulate the system.
Pipeline:
Most hydro systems require a pipeline to feed water to the turbine. The exception is a propeller machine with an open intake. The water should pass first through a simple filter to block debris that may clog or damage the machine. The intake should be placed off to the side of the main water flow to protect it from the direct force of the water and debris during high flows. It is important to use a pipeline of sufficiently large diameter to minimize friction losses from the moving water. When possible, the pipeline should be buried. This stabilizes the pipe and prevents critters from chewing it. Pipelines are usually made from PVC or polyethylene although metal or concrete pipes can also be used.