Objective
The low-head hydro-site of the Dijlemolens in the city of Leuven, Belgium was designed for TSAP Vzw with a head of 1m 60 and supported by the E.C. (HY./0059/85/BE). As a result of an uncarefull study done for the Flemish community the head had to be lowered from 1m60 to 1m20. This meant the site couldn't work for years. Ecowatt NV, founded by the same persons as TSAP Vzw, took up the problem, the University of Gent worked out a solution so that by adapting the turbine, an expected capacity of 30 kW can be installed.
The installation will be monitored for a year.
The inflow of the turbine was adapted. A new generator was installed. Other essential adaptations were carried out. Testing and measurements took place on 26/5/97 and on 23/3/98. The results of these tests show a capacity of 11,62 kW for the first testing and of 12,38 kW for the second testing. According to the simulation program of the University of Gent, the turbine should take a flow of 2.90 m³/s and give an effective return of 0.70 with a head of 1.05 m and a speed of 120 r.p.m. The recorded flow (2.72 m³/s) does not vary much from the measured flow (2.90 m³/s). The recorded return (0.44) varies largely from the measured return (0.70). This shows that the machine is working properly as far as the flowmechanics are concerned but that a mechanical failure is present : a substantial dissipation of the power generated by the flow. Analysis and consideration of the testresults will lead to new solutions for the remaining problems.
Energy saving : 180000 kWh x 750 gr/kWh = 135.0 tons of CO2 reduction
The hydro-site of the Dijlemolens consists of two installations on 2 branches of the river Dijle: 1) An axial propellor turbine (Semi-Kaplan) with fixed blader and fixed runner blader designed for Q = 3.7 m3/s and H = 1m60. Generator of 45 kW.
2) An undershot waterwheel, renovated into a Poncelet waterwheel Q = 1.50 m3/s and H = 1m60. Generator of 18.5 kW. However the head can't be higher than 1m20, so both installations have to be 'down-rated' (30 kW and 10 kW).
To get to normal functioning a modification of the inlet of the turbine will be done and the rotor will be adjusted.
After these adaptations the site will be monitored for a year. For this purpose the control equipment will be modified. This proposal covers mainly the testing and monitoring phase, which could'nt be executed entirely in the proposal HY./00059/85/BE.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
3110 ROTSELAAR
Belgium