TWO BLADE PROPELLER TURBINE SUSPENDED UNDER A BARGE USING KINETIC ENERGY OF RIVER FLOWS

Ziel

To demonstrate how a two bladed propellor turbine suspended under a barge can exploit the kinetic energy of a river to produce electricity.
The apparatus proved very successful concerning manufacture, transport, sea-going quality (local velocity of current up to 4 m/s were tested). stability with propeller swung up.
Propeller support with lifting device and foundations for gears and generator. The two-bladed propeller could cope well with stripping off driftage.
The chain (L approx. 2,8 m) is extremely suitable for the transmission of the high torque and can be adapted to suit power output.
Fluctuations during the turning moment probably caused by vibrations of the chain can be reduced by baffle rods. Presumably turbulences around the "suction pipe" contribute to the fluctuations. These turbulences could possibly be avoided or at least reduced by the profiling of the "suction pipe" on the descending current side.
By means of the demonstration model it can be proved that, in principle, the system functions. In case of a series production the control system must be improved appropriately.
The turning moments left of theoptimum of the moment curves, plotted against the rotations per minute, could not be determined, as the propeller dragged in the optimum area and either came to a stand-still or operated right of the optimum.
Operation costs were estimated at approx. 7,5% of the investment expenses, whereby it was assumed that paint work would have to be done every 3-4 years.
The operation expenses could be brought down under good water conditions.
The efficiency of the propeller could be maintained by regular cleaning. (Slight roughness caused by marine fouling causes a loss of up to 20%).
Whereas the entire floating body and the main parts of the machinery and the transmission have been developed for quantity production, the control system must still be further developed in this respect.
The presumable service life is estimated to be approx. 15 years.
The power output depends very strongly upon the flow velocity and the water depth.
Although fuel for diesel aggregates in developing countries isnot always available and from the economic point of view European fuel prices cannot be applied, the micro power station can certainly be considered an economical proposition when utilized under not too unfavourable general conditions (water depth and water flow).
Using the system commercially is only possible once the plant is ready for quantity and tropical conditions.
A prerequisite is rivers with a sufficient velocity of current and water depth and small settlements situated on the banks of such rivers.
The barge will be moored in the river and the kinetic energy of the river used to drive the propellor turbine, thus eliminating the need for expensive civil works. It is expected that the main application would be to supply local communities not connected to the national grid system, particularly in developing countries.
A further advantage of the scheme is that, unlike conventional hydro systems, it can be very easily replicated.
Initially a suction tube to concentrate water flow was envisaged, but this has now been omitted as it became apparent that it was only of advantage in very deep rivers.
Suitable control mechanisms are being investigated to match the requirement for constant generator speed to variable river flow rates.
Head 0 metres
River velocity 2-3 m/second
Turbine propellor (1. 44 metres diameter)
Turbine power 40 kW
Generator synchronous
End-use isolated system

Programm/Programme

ENG-ENALT 2C - Programme (EEC) of demonstration projects relating to the exploitation of alternative energy sources and to energy saving and the substitution of hydrocarbons, 1983-1985

Thema/Themen

Data not available

Aufforderung zur Vorschlagseinreichung

Data not available

Finanzierungsplan

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Koordinator

BODAN-WERFT MOTOREN UND SCHIFFBAU GMBH

EU-Beitrag

Keine Daten

Adresse

7993 KRESSBRONN
Deutschland

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