Objective
To demonstrate and test floating paddle type hydro-generators with a new angled paddles arrangement (the hydraulienne).
To design a floating hydro-generator without any civil work represents an undisputable advantage. The machine installed on the Semois fully demonstrated the advantages of the hydraulienne. Installing the machine was easier then expected. All tests were performed on the Semois.
The machine is now running on the Lukenie river, at Kole (Kasai, Zaire). It delivers the power needed to light a big public hospital.
The operating costs are particularly low. The main servicing consist in :
1. Removing the branches and leaves obstructing the machine.
2. Putting some oil in the chain casing, if necessary.
3. Replacing the chain of the first stage every 10,000 hours.
4. Replacing the alternator bearing every 20,000 hours.
These headings are marginal.
The return of investment takes 1.7 years. Very many suitable sites exist in Africa. Many rivers could be used. Even slow ones have sufficient speed, on 50 m for instance. In the case of a slow river, its outflow could be increased by the installation of gabions in order to speed it up locally.
Three floating generating units, which require no civil works, were moored by three different methods on the River Semois.
Each unit consists of a paddle type water wheel with associated chain/gearbox driven generator all mounted on a floating platform. The water wheels will each have the same diameter but different lengths giving outputs of 5, 10 and 15 kW.
The units are simply operated by the flow of the river, but to enhance the flow and the output, two floats are used to form a funnel to channel the river flow onto the paddle wheel. Since they are floating the units will be unaffected by the water level during periods of flooding.
The installation will be connected to a substation on the river bank which is to house the control and distribution switchgear.
The generated power from the three units will be used to supply all the test facilities at the site. Technical data
General River flow 2. 5 m/s (average)
1. 94 m/s (minimum)
3. 33 m/s (maximum)
Depth0. 5 metres (minimum)
Water wheel length (metres) 1.5 3 4.5
Diameter (m) 2.5 2.5 2.5
Output (kW) 3.5 7 11
Speed (Revs/min) 10 10 10
Generator Type Asynchronous
Voltage 220 or 380 V
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Programme(s)
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Coordinator
4400 Herstall
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.