Objectif To demonstrate a Francis turbine of new design with innovative guidevanes and the efficient utilisation of this new turbine with two refurbished existing vertical Francis turbines of "Victor" type at a low head site.The plant is operational, with a 106 kW Francis turbine of the new type installed. The three turbines are operated in a merit order to maximise financial returns as the water flow varies.Costs increased from the original estimates because of the provision of fish pass and a fish grid.Belton Engineering works have been developing a new design for the control mechanism of a vertical Francis turbine. Their innovative design allows alternate fixed and adjustable guide vane settings giving significant economies of construction and increased strength of the total assembly. The new turbine has been installed on the Blackwater river at the Abbey just outside Navan together with two existing Victor type Francis turbines which have been refurbished, making better use of the available flow.The available head varies from 1. 5 to 2. 3 m with an average of about 1. 8m and the flow varies from less than 1 cums to over 50 cums, averaging about 12 cums. The new turbine of 106 kW is generating about 350,000 kWh/yr, in addition to about 450. 000 kWh /yr from the two existing 35 kw turbines. Models were constructed to try to find ways of improving the hydraulic flow and electricity output following alterations to the design due to problems in construction. The electricity is sold to the national grid.The water management system to determine the optimal control regime for the three turbines has been developed by consulting engineer Paul Leech.In practice, it has been found that main operation of the new larger turbine, with adjustment of the smaller sets, gives the best results, although at very low flows the smaller sets are brought into operation alone.During construction two main problems were encountered, firstly the discovery of hard rock under the large turbine position which had to be excavated and requiring the turbine location to be raised and secondly the very fragile state of the old mill building. Programme(s) 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 Thème(s) Data not available Appel à propositions Data not available Régime de financement DEM - Demonstration contracts Coordinateur BOYNE INVESTMENTS LTD Contribution de l’UE Aucune donnée Adresse LUDLOW STREET 4 NAVAN CO. Meath Irlande Voir sur la carte Coût total Aucune donnée
