CA2717581A1 - Methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations - Google Patents
Methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations Download PDFInfo
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- CA2717581A1 CA2717581A1 CA2717581A CA2717581A CA2717581A1 CA 2717581 A1 CA2717581 A1 CA 2717581A1 CA 2717581 A CA2717581 A CA 2717581A CA 2717581 A CA2717581 A CA 2717581A CA 2717581 A1 CA2717581 A1 CA 2717581A1
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- Prior art keywords
- energy dissipator
- turbine
- turbine casing
- draft tube
- energy
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B11/00—Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups, e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and generator
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B9/00—Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
- E02B9/02—Water-ways
- E02B9/06—Pressure galleries or pressure conduits; Galleries specially adapted to house pressure conduits; Means specially adapted for use therewith, e.g. housings, valves, gates
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
Abstract
An energy dissipating assembly is provided for installation in a legacy hydroelectric generating station configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet. The assembly comprises: an energy dissipator mountable in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and means for forming a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing. A
method for retro-fitting an energy dissipating valve in a legacy hydroelectric generating station to provide a by-pass is provided. The legacy hydroelectric generating station is configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet.
The method comprises: mounting an energy dissipator between the penstock and the draft tube outlet;
and sealing the turbine casing to form a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
method for retro-fitting an energy dissipating valve in a legacy hydroelectric generating station to provide a by-pass is provided. The legacy hydroelectric generating station is configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet.
The method comprises: mounting an energy dissipator between the penstock and the draft tube outlet;
and sealing the turbine casing to form a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
Description
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISSIPATING HYDROSTATIC HEAD IN
HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATING STATIONS
Technical Field [0001] The invention provides methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations. Particular embodiments provide methods and apparatus for retrofitting a legacy hydroelectric power generating station to provide an energy dissipator and/or energy dissipating valve in a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator.
Back rg ound [0002] In typical hydroelectric power generation, the gravitational potential and/or kinetic energy of water is used to generate electricity. Hydroelectric generating stations are commonly built on rivers, where a consistent flow of water may be harnessed.
HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATING STATIONS
Technical Field [0001] The invention provides methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations. Particular embodiments provide methods and apparatus for retrofitting a legacy hydroelectric power generating station to provide an energy dissipator and/or energy dissipating valve in a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator.
Back rg ound [0002] In typical hydroelectric power generation, the gravitational potential and/or kinetic energy of water is used to generate electricity. Hydroelectric generating stations are commonly built on rivers, where a consistent flow of water may be harnessed.
[0003] In some river-based hydroelectric generating stations, water collected in reservoirs may be fed (under pressure) into a reaction turbine. The hydrostatic head (which is reflective of the vertical distance between the water level in the reservoir and the location of the turbine) determines the pressure of the water at the entrance to the turbine. Water in the turbine is typically directed to act tangentially on a turbine runner. As the water moves through the turbine runner, it exerts forces on the turbine runner and loses pressure. The force of the water on the turbine runner causes the turbine runner to rotate, which in turn causes corresponding rotation of an electrical generator coupled to the turbine runner. After water passes the turbine runner, it is returned to the river at or below the elevation of the turbine.
[0004] It is desirable that hydroelectric generating stations have minimal environmental impact on the rivers on which they are built. Deleterious environmental impacts that may be caused by a hydroelectric generating station include, for example, sudden changes in the volume of water entering a downstream water body due to changes in the flow of water through the generating station, excessive aeration of water entering the downstream water body from the generating station, and the like.
[0005] Some hydroelectric generating stations include by-passes that provide a path for water to by-pass the generating station when the flow of water through the generator is reduced or shut-off (e.g., when the generator is taken off-line). Such by-passes can reduce the environmental impact of the generating station by minimizing changes to the volume of water flow downstream from the generating station. Construction of by-passes may involve significant civil engineering effort and expense (e.g., construction of channels and the like) to provide a suitable by-pass path for the water. By-passes may use energy dissipators to reduce the kinetic energy of water exiting the bypasses. By-passes may use valves to control the flow of water in the bypasses.
[0006] Some hydroelectric generating stations were constructed at a time when less attention was paid to environmental impact of the generating stations to bodies of water in which they are situated. Some such "legacy" hydroelectric generating stations are at or near the end of their useful lifetimes, for reasons including that their designs have been superseded by improvements in technology (e.g. improvements to power generating efficiency, cost of replacement components or the like). It may be desirable to decommission such legacy hydroelectric generating stations, and build replacement hydroelectric generating stations. For environmental and other reasons, decommissioning hydroelectric generating stations may involve significant expense.
[0007] Construction of replacement hydroelectric generating stations may be accompanied by the construction of corresponding by-passes. Construction of such by-passes may involve significant expense.
[0008] There is accordingly a need for methods and apparatus which reduce expenses associated with decommissioning legacy hydroelectric stations and constructing replacement hydroelectric generating stations including replacement by-passes.
An example of such need has arisen in connection with the replacement of the John Hart generating station on the Campbell River in British Columbia, Canada.
An example of such need has arisen in connection with the replacement of the John Hart generating station on the Campbell River in British Columbia, Canada.
[0009] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art may become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
Summary [0010] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
Summary [0010] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
[0011] One aspect of the invention provides an energy dissipating assembly for installation in a legacy hydroelectric generating station configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet. The assembly comprises: an energy dissipator mountable in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and means for forming a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for retro-fitting an energy dissipating valve in a legacy hydroelectric generating station to provide a by-pass. The legacy hydroelectric generating station is configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet. The method comprises:
mounting an energy dissipator between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and sealing the turbine casing to form a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
mounting an energy dissipator between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and sealing the turbine casing to form a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
[0013] In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
Brief Description of Drawings [0014] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
Brief Description of Drawings [0014] Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
[0015] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a turbine generator of the Francis type used in legacy hydroelectric generating stations.
[0016] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an energy dissipator according to an example embodiment that has been retrofitted into a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator wherein the turbine casing provides pressure containment.
[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an energy dissipator according to another example embodiment that has been retrofitted into a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator wherein the turbine casing provides pressure containment.
[0018] Figure 3A is a another cross-sectional view of the Figure 3 energy dissipator taken along the line 3A-3A.
[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an energy dissipating valve according to an example embodiment that has been retrofitted into a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator wherein the turbine casing provides pressure containment.
[0020] Figure 4A is a another cross-sectional view of the Figure 4 energy dissipating valve taken along the line 4A-4A.
[0021] Figure 5 is flow chart illustration of a method for retrofitting an energy dissipator into a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator according to a particular embodiment.
Description [0022] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
Description [0022] Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
[0023] Particular embodiments provide methods and apparatus for retrofitting a legacy hydroelectric power generating station to provide an energy dissipator or energy dissipating valve in a turbine casing previously occupied by a turbine generator.
[00241 Legacy hydroelectric generating stations incorporate turbine generators that are located in corresponding turbine casings (typically made of concrete and/or steel).
Movement of water through a turbine casing causes rotation of the turbine generator which in turn generates electricity. From time to time, there is a need to replace legacy hydroelectric generating stations with new generating stations. In particular embodiments of the invention, one or more turbine generators are removed from the turbine casings of the legacy generating station and one or more energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves are retrofitted into the turbine casings previously occupied by the turbine generators. The energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves retrofitted into turbine casings in this manner can provide by-passes for the new generating station.
[00251 Advantageously, retrofitting energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves into turbine casings can reduce or eliminate the need to demolish and/or remove the turbine casings associated with the legacy generating station when the new generating station is installed. Further, retrofitting energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves into turbine casings can reduce the costs associated with construction of by-pass(es) for the new generating station.
[00261 Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example legacy hydroelectric generating station 10 showing a Francis-type turbine generator 11 located in a turbine casing 12. In Figure 1, arrows indicate, generally, the flow of water through turbine casing 12 and turbine generator 11. Typically, turbine casing 12 is formed of concrete and/or steel, and may be reinforced with steel reinforcement bars commonly referred to as rebar (not shown). Turbine casing 12 defines a scroll case 14 having an inlet 14A, a turbine pit 16 and a draft tube 25. Inlet 14A of scroll case 14 is coupled to receive water input via penstock 38 which is typically fed from a reservoir (not shown) located above generating station 10. A turbine cover 24 sealingly divides turbine pit 16 into a dry portion 26 and a runner case 28. A turbine runner 20 is rotatably seated in runner case 28 where runner case 28 meets draft tube 25. Turbine runner 20 is coupled to a generator 30 by a shaft 32. Runner case 28 is in fluid communication with scroll case 14.
Together, scroll case 14 and runner case 28 form a pressure containment chamber that forces water entering scroll case 14 to pass through turbine runner 20 and to exit generating station 10 via draft tube 25.
[0027] Scroll case 14 is a tapered spiral chamber, whose cross-section decreases as scroll case 14 curls from its inlet 14A around turbine runner 20. In the illustrated embodiment, scroll case 14 is generally circular in cross-section and so its cross-sectional radius decreases as it curls from inlet 14A around turbine runner 20. A plurality of stay vanes 34 are located along the interface between scroll case 14 and runner case 28.
Stay vanes 34 are shaped to direct water tangentially toward turbine runner 20. In the illustrated embodiment, stay vanes 34 have one dimension oriented parallel to the axis of scroll case 14 and are angled to direct water tangentially toward turbine runner 20.
Wicket gates 36 interposed between stay vanes 34 and turbine runner 20 can be adjusted to control the flow of water against turbine runner 20.
[0028] Turbine generator 11 functions by using water to rotate turbine runner 20 which in turn causes rotation of shaft 32 and generator 30. Water enters turbine casing 12 from penstock 38 at inlet 14A of scroll case 14. While passing through scroll case 14, water enters the periphery of turbine runner 20 tangentially, and exits turbine runner 20 axially into draft tube 25. Draft tube 25 may be shaped to decelerate water flow therein. The outlet (not shown) of draft tube 25 connects to a tail race (not shown), which may comprise a reservoir, such as a stilling well or the like, that provides back pressure. Thus water passes through turbine generator 11 from penstock 38 through turbine casing 12, via scroll case 14, runner case 28, and draft tube 25, to the outlet of draft tube 25 and into a tail race.
[0029] From time to time there is a need to replace legacy hydroelectric generating stations (like generating station 10 of Figure 1) with new generating stations (not shown).
In particular embodiments, one or more turbine generators 11 of a legacy generating station are removed from their turbine casings 12 and one or more hydraulic energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves are retrofitted into turbine casings 12 previously occupied by turbine generators 11. Hydraulic energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves retrofitted into turbine casings 12 can provide by-passes for the new generating station, thereby eliminating or reducing the need to demolish the legacy generating station and eliminating or reducing the need to construct new bypasses for the new generation station.
s v CA 02717581 2010-10-12 [0030] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a legacy hydroelectric generating station 100 that has been converted into a by-pass I OOA according to a particular embodiment by removing a turbine generator from, and retrofitting a hydraulic energy dissipator 120 into, turbine casing 112. Turbine casing 112 may be substantially similar to turbine casing 12 of generating station 10 described above and may define a scroll case 114, a turbine pit 116 and a draft tube 125. When converted into a by-pass 100A, turbine casing 112 provides pressure containment for hydraulic energy dissipator 120 as described in more detail below.
[0031] Energy dissipator 120 of the Figure 2 embodiment is a multi-aperture sleeve-type energy dissipator. Energy dissipator 120 comprises a tubular sleeve 122 having an axial bore 123 and a throttling element 122A which, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided at one end of tubular sleeve 122. In the illustrated embodiment, sleeve 122 is circular in cross-section, but this is not strictly necessary and sleeve 122 may have other cross-sectional shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, throttling element 122A is provided at the lower end of sleeve 122, and in draft tube 125. Locating throttling element 122A lower in turbine casing 112 may increase the amount of back pressure exerted by water in the tail race (not shown) at throttling element 122A. Throttling element may be located at the top end of sleeve 122, at a middle portion of sleeve 122 (i.e. spaced apart from both ends of sleeve 122), or may span the length of sleeve 122.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, throttling element 122A comprises a plurality of apertures 122B defined through the wall of sleeve 122 (e.g. generally radially in the illustrated embodiment). Apertures 122B provide fluid communication between the outside of sleeve 122 and bore 123. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 122B are arranged in a spiral pattern, but this is not a strictly necessary feature.
Vertically adjacent apertures 122B may be circumferentially staggered (e.g., apertures 122B may be arranged in a hexagonal lattice).
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 122B are fiustroconically shaped with interior orifices (i.e. closer to bore 123) that are smaller in cross-section that their outer orifices (i.e. further from bore 123). In some embodiments, the angle of the frustroconical taper of apertures 122B is in a range of 5'-20'. In other embodiments, this taper is in a range of 10 -13 . In a presently preferred embodiment, the angle of the taper of apertures 122B is 11.5 . The frustroconical shape of apertures 122B causes water flowing from the outside of sleeve 122 into bore 123 through apertures 122B to continuously accelerate. By continuously accelerating water in this way, the vena contracta is made to occur inside bore 123 of sleeve 122, rather than inside apertures 122B. This may reduce the occurence of cavitation in apertures 122B and the associated damage to energy dissipator 120.
Apertures 122B of the illustrated embodiment are frustroconically shaped with circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes of decreasing cross-sectional area could be used - e.g. rectangular, elliptical, polygonal or the like.
[00341 The outer diameter of apertures 122B may be in the range of 5mm to 50mm. In a presently preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of apertures 122B is 25mm.
The maximum diameter of apertures 122B may be constrained by the strength of corresponding cavitation shock waves which may be relatively large for relatively large apertures 122B. The minimum size of apertures 122B may be constrained by the desirability of permitting organic matter (e.g. sticks, leaves and the like) to pass through apertures 122B and into bore 123 without becoming stuck in, or creating clogs in, throttling element 122A.
[00351 Energy dissipator 120 comprises an upper flange 126 and a lower flange 128, at the upper and lower ends, respectively, of sleeve 122. Upper flange 126 is coupled (e.g.
bolted, welded, epoxied or the like) to a turbine pit cover 134. In some embodiments, upper flange 126 is sealingly coupled to turbine pit cover 134. For example, a gasket or similar seal may be provided between upper flange 126 and turbine pit cover 134.
[00361 In the illustrated embodiment, turbine pit cover 134 is removably affixed across the mouth of turbine pit 116. In some embodiments, turbine pit cover 134 comprises mounting features (e.g., apertures, holes, concavities, etc.) configured to cooperate with complementary mounting features (e.g,. pins, bolts, studs, etc.) provided by turbine casing 112. In some embodiments, the mounting features of turbine casing 112 used to mount turbine pit cover 134 may be the same as those used to mount the turbine generator (now removed) in turbine casing 112, although this is not necessary. One or more optional elastomeric pocketed ring seals 135 may be provided between cover 134 and the portion of turbine casing 112 that defines the mouth of turbine pit 116. In other embodiments, one or more other types of seals may be used in addition to or as an alternative to ring seals 135 to seal turbine cover 134 to casing 112 at the mouth of turbine pit 116 In still other embodiments, turbine pit cover 134 is permanently affixed to casing 112 over the mouth of turbine pit 112.
[00371 Lower flange 128 of sleeve 122 may be coupled (e.g. bolted, welded, epoxied, held in place by downward force of gravity and/or force from turbine pit cover 134 acting on sleeve 122, etc.) to an apertured (e.g. annular) sealing plate 136 installed in draft tube 125. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of dowel pins 139 (or similar mounting features - e.g. bolts, studs, etc.) are provided in sealing plate 136 for engaging corresponding apertures (or similar mounting features - e.g. holes, concavities, etc.) formed lower flange 128. In some embodiments, lower flange 128 is removably coupled to sealing plate 136. Sealing plate 136 is shown as circularly annular in cross-section and generally co-axial with sleeve 122 and the entrance to draft tube 125, but may have other cross-sectional shapes and need not be co-axial with sleeve 122. An optional gasket 137 is provided between lower flange 128 and sealing plate 136 to provide a watertight seal therebetween. Sealing plate 136 extends to the wall(s) which define draft tube 125 and may form a wateright seal against thereagainst.
[00381 Sealing plate 136 is supported in draft tube 125 by a plurality of lugs 138 which may extend inwardly (e.g. radially inwardly) into draft tube 125. Lugs 138 of the illustrated Figure 2 embodiment are partially embedded in concavities 140 formed in casing 112. Lugs 138 may be fixed in concavities 140 using adhesives, mechnical fasteners, a combination thereof, or the like. Lugs 138 and concavities 140 may be configured to provide cantilevered support for sealing plate 136. Lugs 138 may comprise concrete, steel, a combination thereof or some other suitably strong material.
[00391 In other embodiments, other additional or alternative techniques may be used to install sealing plate 136 in draft tube 125. By way of non-limiting example, lugs 138 may be affixed to the side of draft tube 125 (e.g., with adhesive, mechanical fasteners, combinations thereof, or the like, such as shown in Figure 4) rather than embedded in concavities 140 of casing 112; sealing plate 136 may be supported by a segmented ring rather than lugs 138; sealing plate 136 may be partially embedded in a concavity that is cut out of casing 112; and/or sealing plate 136 may be supported by a flange (e.g., of concrete, steel or some other suitable strong material) that may be formed in, or coupled to, casing 112 so as to extend from the original walls of draft tube 125 into its bore (e.g.
radially in embodiments where draft tube 125 has a circular cross-section).
[0040] In other embodiments, sealing plate 136 may have other shapes. For example, sealing plate 136 may have a different exterior perimeter shape which may conform with the shape of the cross-section of draft tube 125 and/or sealing plate 136 may not be annular, but instead may have more than one aperture or aperture(s) having shapes other than circular. Other mounting means for supporting sleeve 122 may be used in place of or in addition to sealing plate 136. For example, energy dissipator 120 may be installed directly upon a flange formed in, or coupled to, casing 112.
[0041] Unlike conventional energy dissipators which are used in newly constructed by-passes, energy dissipator 120 does not require a separate pressure containing body.
Instead, pressure containment is provided by turbine casing 112, turbine pit cover 134 and sealing plate 136. Together, turbine casing 112, turbine pit cover 134 and sealing plate 136 contain the flow of water to thereby provide a pressure containment chamber 129 comprising scroll case 114, turbine pit 116 and the portion of draft tube 125 above sealing plate 136. In operation, water provided to scroll case 114 under pressure via a penstock (not shown in Figure 2) fills pressure containment chamber 129. Water from pressure containment chamber 129 crosses from the outside of sleeve 122 into bore 123 of sleeve 122 through apertures 122B (e.g. radially in the case of a sleeve 122 having circular cross-section and radially oriented apertures 122B). Apertures 122B produce a throttling effect on the flow of water, with consequent increase in velocity and reduction in pressure occurring across sleeve 122. Water entering bore 123 at velocity may also be slowed in part by the counteracting forces of water entering bore 123 in opposite direction (e.g.
from apertures 122B on an opposing side of sleeve 122). Water exits energy dissipator 120 axially through bore 123 of sleeve 122 and the annular aperture of sealing plate 136 and flows into draft tube 125 at reduced pressure.
[0042] In some embodiments, the flow of water into energy dissipator 120 is controllable by one or more valves (not shown) located upstream of the inlet of scroll case 114, such as, for example, valves along the penstock that feeds scroll case 114. Some embodiments comprise flow control means installed at the junction of scroll case 114 and the penstock.
Valves that may be used to control the flow of water into energy dissipator 120 may be pre-existing features of the legacy generating station into which energy dissipator 120 is retro-fitted, although this is not necessary and new valves could be installed where energy dissipator 120 is retrofitted into casing 112.
[0043] In other embodiments, other types of hydraulic energy dissipators may be used to reduce water pressure between the outlet of penstock and the outlet of draft tube 125. For example, one or more single plate multiple orifice hydraulic energy dissipators, dual plate multiple orifice energy dissipating valves, multi-plate multiple orifice energy dissipating valves, and/or the like may installed in a pressure containment chamber defined by turbine casing 112, turbine pit cover 134 and sealing plate 136.
[0044] In some embodiments, energy dissipator 120 is installed entirely in turbine pit 116 (e.g., sealing plate 136 may be installed at the inlet of draft tube 125 rather than at a location within draft tube 125). In some embodiments, energy dissipator 120 is installed entirely in draft tube 125 (e.g., sleeve 222 may be sealed at its top end by a plate spaced apart from turbine pit cover 134).
[0045] In some embodiments, the shape of turbine casing 112 may be changed when energy dissipator 120 is installed therein. By way of non-limiting example, some or all of scroll case 114, turbine pit 116, and/or draft tube 125 may be re-shaped by adding and/or removing concrete, steel or the like.
[0046] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example embodiment where a legacy hydroelectric generating station 200 has been converted into a by-pass according to a particular embodiment by removing a turbine generator from, and retrofitting a hydraulic energy dissipator 220 into, turbine casing 212.
Turbine casing 212 may be substantially similar to turbine casing 12 of generating station 10 described above and may define a scroll case 214, a turbine pit 216 and a draft tube 225. When converted into a by-pass 200A, turbine casing 212 provides pressure containment for energy dissipator 220.
[0047] Energy dissipator 220 of the Figure 3 embodiment is generally similar to energy dissipator 120 of Figure 2 and similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar components, except that the reference numerals for components of energy dissipator 220 are preceded by the numeral "2" whereas reference numerals for components of energy dissipator 120 are preceded by the numeral "1 ". Energy dissipator 220 differs from energy dissipator 120 in that energy dissipator 220 comprises a hollow cylindrical cage 240 that defines a bore 247 and surrounds its sleeve 222.
[00481 Cage 240 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an upper cage flange 246 and a lower cage flange 248, at its upper and lower ends, respectively. Upper cage flange 246 of the illustrated embodiment is an external flange. Upper cage flange 246 may be coupled (e.g. bolted, welded, epoxied or the like) to turbine pit cover 234, which, in a manner similar to turbine pit cover 134 of energy dissipator 120, is affixed across the mouth of turbine pit 216. Lower cage flange 248 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an internal flange. Lower cage flange 248 may have a plurality of locating apertures, holes, concavities or similar mounting features. Sealing plate 236 may comprise a plurality of dowel pins 238, pins, bolts or similar complementary mounting features for locating lower cage flange 248 upon sealing plate 136. Lower cage flange 248 may be coupled (e.g. bolted, welded, epoxied, held in place by downward force of gravity and/or force from turbine pit cover 234 acting on sleeve 222, etc.) to sealing plate 236 which may be installed in draft tube 225. Sealing plate 236 comprises an optional gasket 237, which provides a watertight seal between lower cage flange 248 and sealing plate 236.
[00491 Sealing plate 236 of the Figure 3 embodiment is supported in draft tube 225 by a segmented ring 239. Segmented ring 239 comprises a central notch 239A on its upper surface. Sealing plate 236 and gasket 237 may be sealingly received in notch 239A.
Segmented ring 239 may also be sealingly affixed to the inner circumference of draft tube 225. Segmented ring 239 may be sealingly affixed to the inner circumference of draft tube 225 using adhesives, mechanical fasteners, a combination thereof, or the like, to thereby form a watertight seal.
[00501 The lower end of sleeve 222 is supported by sealing plate 236 and is received in the aperture defined by lower cage flange 248. In the Figure 3 embodiment, the upper end of sleeve 222 comprises an external flange that is coupled to turbine pit cover 234 and received in the bore 247 of cage 240. Cage 240 provides strength to energy dissipator 220 and may reduce vibration associated with the operation of energy dissipator 220. In some embodiments, energy dissipator 220 comprises one or more braces (not shown) which couple cage 240 to sleeve 222 at points intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. In some embodiments, cage 240 may be installed before sleeve 222, and cage 240 may serve as a guide for locating sleeve 222 during installation of sleeve 222 in casing 212.
[0051] In some embodiments, energy dissipator 220 is designed so that sleeve 222 is removable from cage 240. For example, turbine pit cover 234 may be removable and sleeve 222 may be held in place (e.g. by coupling to turbine pit cover 234, by support from cage 240, by gravity, by downward force from turbine pit cover 234, by some combination of these or the like. Some legacy generating stations into which energy dissipator 220 is retro-fitted may comprise a gantry crane originally operable to remove a generator installed above turbine pit 216. Such a gantry crane may be operated to remove and install sleeve 222 in cage 240. The ability to remove sleeve 222 may be advantageous for removing debris which may clog the apertures 222B of sleeve 222 and/or for servicing or otherwise maintaining energy generator 220.
[0052] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of energy dissipator 220 taken along the line 3A-3A of Figure 3 to show sleeve 222, apertures 222B, sealing plate 236, dowel pins 238 cage 240 and lower cage flange 248. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 3A, cage comprises a plurality of large cage apertures 242 through which water may enter into a bore 247 of cage 240 and into contact with the outside of sleeve 222. Cage apertures 242 may be of any configuration suitable to pass flow of water sufficient to meet the purpose of energy dissipator 220. Once water enters bore 247 of cage 240 through cage apertures 242, its interaction with the remainder of energy dissipator 220 (e.g. sleeve 222 and apertures 222B) and its eventual egress through draft tube 225 may be substantially similar to that of energy dissipator 120 described above.
[0053] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example embodiment where a legacy hydroelectric generating station 300 has been converted into a by-pass according to a particular embodiment by removing a turbine generator from, and retrofitting a hydraulic energy dissipating valve 320 into, turbine casing 312. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of energy dissipating valve taken along the line 4A-4A
of Figure 4.
Turbine casing 312 may be substantially similar to turbine casing 12 of generating station 10 described above and may define a scroll case 314, a turbine pit 316 and a draft tube 325. When converted into a by-pass 300A, turbine casing 312 provides pressure containment for energy dissipating valve 320 as described in more detail below.
[0054] Energy dissipating valve 320 of the Figure 4 embodiment is generally similar to energy dissipator 220 of Figure 3 and similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar components, except that the reference numerals for components of valve 320 are preceded by the numeral "3" whereas reference numerals for components of energy dissipator 220 are preceded by the numeral "2". Valve 320 differs from energy dissipator 220 in that valve 320 comprises an energy dissipator 320A and a hollow cylindrical obturator 350 which may be co-axial with, and slidable within, bore 323 of sleeve 322.
Obturator 350 is slidable axially along sleeve 322 to block apertures 322B and to thereby prevent water flow from the outside of sleeve 322 into its bore 323. Where sleeve 322 comprises spirally arranged apertures 322B (as shown in Figure 4), overlap or reduced vertical separation between vertically adjacent apertures 322A may permit finer control over the rate of water flowing into bore 323 (e.g., as compared with apertures arranged in a square lattice) and may also reduce the impact of pressure shock waves (e.g.
"water hammer") caused by the rapid changes in pressure that occur when obturator 350 is moved relative to sleeve 322.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment obturator 350 is configured to slide within bore 323 along the inner surface of sleeve 322. The leading edge 350A of obturator 350 may comprise an optional hardened bevel 350B, which may act as a scraper to clear debris (e.g. organic matter) that may be captured in apertures 322B of sleeve 322. In some embodiments, leading edge 350A is formed of stelliteTM, some other suitably hard metallic alloy, or the like.
[0056] Obturator 350 is operatively coupled to an actuator 360 by an axial stem 332.
Stem 332 passes through an aperture 334A of turbine pit cover 334. A packed stem seal 351 comprising anti-extrusion ring 352 and packing 354 seals the passage of stem 332 through turbine pit cover 334. In other embodiments, energy dissipating valves may comprise obturators that are slidable along the outsides of their sleeves. In some such embodiments, the valves comprise a plurality of stems that pass through a corresponding plurality of apertures in their turbine pit cover.
[0057] Actuator 360 is selectively operable to advance and withdraw obturator 350 along sleeve 322. By way of non-limiting example, actuator 360 may comprise an electric motor, an electro-mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator (e.g., an actuator powered by penstock pressure), a pneumatic actuator, a manual actuator or the like.
[0058] Valve 320 also differs from energy dissipator 220 in that valve 320 comprises a seat 360 around the inner circumference of the outlet of sleeve 322. Seat 360 provides a surface against which the leading edge 350A of obturator 350 may be sealed when obturator 350 is in its lowermost position. It will be appreciated that where the leading edge 350A of obturator 350 is sealed against seat 360, energy dissipating valve 320 may be used to shut off the flow of water through turbine case 312. Whereas shutting off the flow of water through turbine case 312 using a valve upstream of the inlet of scroll case 114 leaves pressure containment chamber 329 empty of water and can cause correspondingly large pressure shock waves (e.g. "water hammer") when water is permitted to flow again, shutting off the flow of water through turbine case 312 using valve 320 leaves pressure containment chamber 329 filled with water, thereby reducing the pressure differential across any upstream valves and the consequent pressure shock waves associated with filling penstock 38 . Since drawing obturator 350 away from seal 360 restores the flow of water through turbine case 312 by releasing water through apertures 322B, valve 320 may permit the flow of water through turbine casing 312 to be restored with less water hammer, cavitation, noise, and vibration than may occur when restoring flow using an upstream valve (such as may occur due to water rushing through an upstream butterfly valve to fill pressure containment chamber 329, for example).
[0059] In other embodiments, sleeve 322 is configured so that advancing obturator 350 away from turbine pit cover 334 exposes apertures 322B (e.g., throttling element 322A
(located at the bottom end of sleeve 322 in the illustrated embodiment) may be located at the top end of sleeve 322). In such embodiments, the upper edge of obturator 350 is the leading edge thereof, and may comprises an optional hardened bevel. In other embodiments, other types of energy dissipating valves are installed in turbine casing 312.
For example, a dual-plate multi-orifice energy dissipating valve may be installed in or across draft tube 325 or the inlet of scroll case 314.
[00601 Figure 5 is a October 4, 201 Oflow chart of a method 400 for retrofitting an energy dissipator (e.g., one of dissipators 120 and 220) or energy dissipating valve (e.g. valve 320) in a turbine casing (e.g. turbine casings 112, 212, 312) of a legacy hydroelectric generating station according to an example embodiment. For the purposes of explanation of method 400, it will be assumed that energy dissipator 120 is being retrofitted into turbine casing 112, it being appreciated that method 400 may be applied (with suitable modifications where required) using any of the dissipators or energy dissipating valves described herein. In some embodiments, method 400 begins at block 440, which comprises mounting energy dissipator 120 into an empty turbine casing 112.
After mounting energy dissipator 120 into turbine casing 112, turbine casing 112 is sealed in block 460 form pressure containment chamber 129 between the energy dissipator 120 and the turbine casing 112, which causes water entering turbine casing 112 from the penstock outlet to pass through energy dissipator 120. In some embodiments, block 440 and block 460 may be combined.
[0061) In some embodiments, method 400 comprises one or more of optional blocks 410, 420, 430 and 450. Block 410 involves removing legacy turbine equipment from turbine casing 112. Turbine equipment removed in block 410 may include, without limitation, one or more of a turbine runner, a stem, stay vanes, wicket gates, a turbine cover, and the like.
[00621 Block 420 comprises performing concrete formwork in and/or on turbine casing 112. Concrete formwork performed in block 420 may include, without limitation, forming mounting structures in turbine casing 125 (e.g. similar to concavity 140 and/or flanges for support sealing ring 136), reshaping some or all of turbine casing 112 (e.g., some or all of a scroll case 114, turbine pit 116 and/or draft tube 125), and/or the like.
Block 420 may additionally or alternatively involve removing concrete (or other structural material) from turbine casing 112.
[00631 Optional block 430 comprises installing a support cage (e.g. similar to support cage 240) in turbine casing 125. In some embodiments, block 430 may be combined with block 440. For example, an energy dissipator comprising a sleeve and a support cage could be installed as a single unit. In some embodiments, block 430 may be performed after block 440. In some embodiments, at least part of block 460 is performed at the same time as and/or after block 430.
[0064] Block 450 comprises installing an obturator (e.g. obturator 350) and actuator (e.g.
actuator 360) that is operable to selectively advance and withdrawn the obturator along an energy dissipator to control the flow of water through the dissipator. Block 450 may be combined with one or more of blocks 430, 440 and 460. Block 450 may be performed in part before block 460 and in part after block 460. For example, an obturator and associated stem may be installed, then a turbine cover with an aperture for the stem placed over the mouth of the turbine pit, then the actuator may be connected to the stem.
[0065] It will be appreciated that the preferred mode for practicing embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein may depend on the particular circumstances in which the embodiments are practised. For instance, it will generally be preferable to practise embodiments of the invention according to modes that accommodate the features of the legacy generating station in which the embodiments are practised.
[0066] Where a component (e.g., hydraulic energy dissipator, sleeve, valve, obturator, sealing ring, gasket, seat, turbine pit cover, actuator, lug, segmented ring, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0067] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain features of embodiments described herein may be used in combination with features of other embodiments described herein, and that embodiments described herein may be practised or implemented without all of the features ascribed to them herein. Such variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations comprising mixing and matching of features from different embodiments, are within the scope of this invention.
100681 As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations, modifications, additions and permutations are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
The embodiments described herein are only examples. Other example embodiments may be obtained, without limitation, by combining features of the disclosed embodiments. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such alterations, modifications, permutations, additions, combinations and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
[00241 Legacy hydroelectric generating stations incorporate turbine generators that are located in corresponding turbine casings (typically made of concrete and/or steel).
Movement of water through a turbine casing causes rotation of the turbine generator which in turn generates electricity. From time to time, there is a need to replace legacy hydroelectric generating stations with new generating stations. In particular embodiments of the invention, one or more turbine generators are removed from the turbine casings of the legacy generating station and one or more energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves are retrofitted into the turbine casings previously occupied by the turbine generators. The energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves retrofitted into turbine casings in this manner can provide by-passes for the new generating station.
[00251 Advantageously, retrofitting energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves into turbine casings can reduce or eliminate the need to demolish and/or remove the turbine casings associated with the legacy generating station when the new generating station is installed. Further, retrofitting energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves into turbine casings can reduce the costs associated with construction of by-pass(es) for the new generating station.
[00261 Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an example legacy hydroelectric generating station 10 showing a Francis-type turbine generator 11 located in a turbine casing 12. In Figure 1, arrows indicate, generally, the flow of water through turbine casing 12 and turbine generator 11. Typically, turbine casing 12 is formed of concrete and/or steel, and may be reinforced with steel reinforcement bars commonly referred to as rebar (not shown). Turbine casing 12 defines a scroll case 14 having an inlet 14A, a turbine pit 16 and a draft tube 25. Inlet 14A of scroll case 14 is coupled to receive water input via penstock 38 which is typically fed from a reservoir (not shown) located above generating station 10. A turbine cover 24 sealingly divides turbine pit 16 into a dry portion 26 and a runner case 28. A turbine runner 20 is rotatably seated in runner case 28 where runner case 28 meets draft tube 25. Turbine runner 20 is coupled to a generator 30 by a shaft 32. Runner case 28 is in fluid communication with scroll case 14.
Together, scroll case 14 and runner case 28 form a pressure containment chamber that forces water entering scroll case 14 to pass through turbine runner 20 and to exit generating station 10 via draft tube 25.
[0027] Scroll case 14 is a tapered spiral chamber, whose cross-section decreases as scroll case 14 curls from its inlet 14A around turbine runner 20. In the illustrated embodiment, scroll case 14 is generally circular in cross-section and so its cross-sectional radius decreases as it curls from inlet 14A around turbine runner 20. A plurality of stay vanes 34 are located along the interface between scroll case 14 and runner case 28.
Stay vanes 34 are shaped to direct water tangentially toward turbine runner 20. In the illustrated embodiment, stay vanes 34 have one dimension oriented parallel to the axis of scroll case 14 and are angled to direct water tangentially toward turbine runner 20.
Wicket gates 36 interposed between stay vanes 34 and turbine runner 20 can be adjusted to control the flow of water against turbine runner 20.
[0028] Turbine generator 11 functions by using water to rotate turbine runner 20 which in turn causes rotation of shaft 32 and generator 30. Water enters turbine casing 12 from penstock 38 at inlet 14A of scroll case 14. While passing through scroll case 14, water enters the periphery of turbine runner 20 tangentially, and exits turbine runner 20 axially into draft tube 25. Draft tube 25 may be shaped to decelerate water flow therein. The outlet (not shown) of draft tube 25 connects to a tail race (not shown), which may comprise a reservoir, such as a stilling well or the like, that provides back pressure. Thus water passes through turbine generator 11 from penstock 38 through turbine casing 12, via scroll case 14, runner case 28, and draft tube 25, to the outlet of draft tube 25 and into a tail race.
[0029] From time to time there is a need to replace legacy hydroelectric generating stations (like generating station 10 of Figure 1) with new generating stations (not shown).
In particular embodiments, one or more turbine generators 11 of a legacy generating station are removed from their turbine casings 12 and one or more hydraulic energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves are retrofitted into turbine casings 12 previously occupied by turbine generators 11. Hydraulic energy dissipators and/or energy dissipating valves retrofitted into turbine casings 12 can provide by-passes for the new generating station, thereby eliminating or reducing the need to demolish the legacy generating station and eliminating or reducing the need to construct new bypasses for the new generation station.
s v CA 02717581 2010-10-12 [0030] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a legacy hydroelectric generating station 100 that has been converted into a by-pass I OOA according to a particular embodiment by removing a turbine generator from, and retrofitting a hydraulic energy dissipator 120 into, turbine casing 112. Turbine casing 112 may be substantially similar to turbine casing 12 of generating station 10 described above and may define a scroll case 114, a turbine pit 116 and a draft tube 125. When converted into a by-pass 100A, turbine casing 112 provides pressure containment for hydraulic energy dissipator 120 as described in more detail below.
[0031] Energy dissipator 120 of the Figure 2 embodiment is a multi-aperture sleeve-type energy dissipator. Energy dissipator 120 comprises a tubular sleeve 122 having an axial bore 123 and a throttling element 122A which, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided at one end of tubular sleeve 122. In the illustrated embodiment, sleeve 122 is circular in cross-section, but this is not strictly necessary and sleeve 122 may have other cross-sectional shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, throttling element 122A is provided at the lower end of sleeve 122, and in draft tube 125. Locating throttling element 122A lower in turbine casing 112 may increase the amount of back pressure exerted by water in the tail race (not shown) at throttling element 122A. Throttling element may be located at the top end of sleeve 122, at a middle portion of sleeve 122 (i.e. spaced apart from both ends of sleeve 122), or may span the length of sleeve 122.
[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, throttling element 122A comprises a plurality of apertures 122B defined through the wall of sleeve 122 (e.g. generally radially in the illustrated embodiment). Apertures 122B provide fluid communication between the outside of sleeve 122 and bore 123. In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 122B are arranged in a spiral pattern, but this is not a strictly necessary feature.
Vertically adjacent apertures 122B may be circumferentially staggered (e.g., apertures 122B may be arranged in a hexagonal lattice).
[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, apertures 122B are fiustroconically shaped with interior orifices (i.e. closer to bore 123) that are smaller in cross-section that their outer orifices (i.e. further from bore 123). In some embodiments, the angle of the frustroconical taper of apertures 122B is in a range of 5'-20'. In other embodiments, this taper is in a range of 10 -13 . In a presently preferred embodiment, the angle of the taper of apertures 122B is 11.5 . The frustroconical shape of apertures 122B causes water flowing from the outside of sleeve 122 into bore 123 through apertures 122B to continuously accelerate. By continuously accelerating water in this way, the vena contracta is made to occur inside bore 123 of sleeve 122, rather than inside apertures 122B. This may reduce the occurence of cavitation in apertures 122B and the associated damage to energy dissipator 120.
Apertures 122B of the illustrated embodiment are frustroconically shaped with circular cross-section, but other cross-sectional shapes of decreasing cross-sectional area could be used - e.g. rectangular, elliptical, polygonal or the like.
[00341 The outer diameter of apertures 122B may be in the range of 5mm to 50mm. In a presently preferred embodiment, the outer diameter of apertures 122B is 25mm.
The maximum diameter of apertures 122B may be constrained by the strength of corresponding cavitation shock waves which may be relatively large for relatively large apertures 122B. The minimum size of apertures 122B may be constrained by the desirability of permitting organic matter (e.g. sticks, leaves and the like) to pass through apertures 122B and into bore 123 without becoming stuck in, or creating clogs in, throttling element 122A.
[00351 Energy dissipator 120 comprises an upper flange 126 and a lower flange 128, at the upper and lower ends, respectively, of sleeve 122. Upper flange 126 is coupled (e.g.
bolted, welded, epoxied or the like) to a turbine pit cover 134. In some embodiments, upper flange 126 is sealingly coupled to turbine pit cover 134. For example, a gasket or similar seal may be provided between upper flange 126 and turbine pit cover 134.
[00361 In the illustrated embodiment, turbine pit cover 134 is removably affixed across the mouth of turbine pit 116. In some embodiments, turbine pit cover 134 comprises mounting features (e.g., apertures, holes, concavities, etc.) configured to cooperate with complementary mounting features (e.g,. pins, bolts, studs, etc.) provided by turbine casing 112. In some embodiments, the mounting features of turbine casing 112 used to mount turbine pit cover 134 may be the same as those used to mount the turbine generator (now removed) in turbine casing 112, although this is not necessary. One or more optional elastomeric pocketed ring seals 135 may be provided between cover 134 and the portion of turbine casing 112 that defines the mouth of turbine pit 116. In other embodiments, one or more other types of seals may be used in addition to or as an alternative to ring seals 135 to seal turbine cover 134 to casing 112 at the mouth of turbine pit 116 In still other embodiments, turbine pit cover 134 is permanently affixed to casing 112 over the mouth of turbine pit 112.
[00371 Lower flange 128 of sleeve 122 may be coupled (e.g. bolted, welded, epoxied, held in place by downward force of gravity and/or force from turbine pit cover 134 acting on sleeve 122, etc.) to an apertured (e.g. annular) sealing plate 136 installed in draft tube 125. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of dowel pins 139 (or similar mounting features - e.g. bolts, studs, etc.) are provided in sealing plate 136 for engaging corresponding apertures (or similar mounting features - e.g. holes, concavities, etc.) formed lower flange 128. In some embodiments, lower flange 128 is removably coupled to sealing plate 136. Sealing plate 136 is shown as circularly annular in cross-section and generally co-axial with sleeve 122 and the entrance to draft tube 125, but may have other cross-sectional shapes and need not be co-axial with sleeve 122. An optional gasket 137 is provided between lower flange 128 and sealing plate 136 to provide a watertight seal therebetween. Sealing plate 136 extends to the wall(s) which define draft tube 125 and may form a wateright seal against thereagainst.
[00381 Sealing plate 136 is supported in draft tube 125 by a plurality of lugs 138 which may extend inwardly (e.g. radially inwardly) into draft tube 125. Lugs 138 of the illustrated Figure 2 embodiment are partially embedded in concavities 140 formed in casing 112. Lugs 138 may be fixed in concavities 140 using adhesives, mechnical fasteners, a combination thereof, or the like. Lugs 138 and concavities 140 may be configured to provide cantilevered support for sealing plate 136. Lugs 138 may comprise concrete, steel, a combination thereof or some other suitably strong material.
[00391 In other embodiments, other additional or alternative techniques may be used to install sealing plate 136 in draft tube 125. By way of non-limiting example, lugs 138 may be affixed to the side of draft tube 125 (e.g., with adhesive, mechanical fasteners, combinations thereof, or the like, such as shown in Figure 4) rather than embedded in concavities 140 of casing 112; sealing plate 136 may be supported by a segmented ring rather than lugs 138; sealing plate 136 may be partially embedded in a concavity that is cut out of casing 112; and/or sealing plate 136 may be supported by a flange (e.g., of concrete, steel or some other suitable strong material) that may be formed in, or coupled to, casing 112 so as to extend from the original walls of draft tube 125 into its bore (e.g.
radially in embodiments where draft tube 125 has a circular cross-section).
[0040] In other embodiments, sealing plate 136 may have other shapes. For example, sealing plate 136 may have a different exterior perimeter shape which may conform with the shape of the cross-section of draft tube 125 and/or sealing plate 136 may not be annular, but instead may have more than one aperture or aperture(s) having shapes other than circular. Other mounting means for supporting sleeve 122 may be used in place of or in addition to sealing plate 136. For example, energy dissipator 120 may be installed directly upon a flange formed in, or coupled to, casing 112.
[0041] Unlike conventional energy dissipators which are used in newly constructed by-passes, energy dissipator 120 does not require a separate pressure containing body.
Instead, pressure containment is provided by turbine casing 112, turbine pit cover 134 and sealing plate 136. Together, turbine casing 112, turbine pit cover 134 and sealing plate 136 contain the flow of water to thereby provide a pressure containment chamber 129 comprising scroll case 114, turbine pit 116 and the portion of draft tube 125 above sealing plate 136. In operation, water provided to scroll case 114 under pressure via a penstock (not shown in Figure 2) fills pressure containment chamber 129. Water from pressure containment chamber 129 crosses from the outside of sleeve 122 into bore 123 of sleeve 122 through apertures 122B (e.g. radially in the case of a sleeve 122 having circular cross-section and radially oriented apertures 122B). Apertures 122B produce a throttling effect on the flow of water, with consequent increase in velocity and reduction in pressure occurring across sleeve 122. Water entering bore 123 at velocity may also be slowed in part by the counteracting forces of water entering bore 123 in opposite direction (e.g.
from apertures 122B on an opposing side of sleeve 122). Water exits energy dissipator 120 axially through bore 123 of sleeve 122 and the annular aperture of sealing plate 136 and flows into draft tube 125 at reduced pressure.
[0042] In some embodiments, the flow of water into energy dissipator 120 is controllable by one or more valves (not shown) located upstream of the inlet of scroll case 114, such as, for example, valves along the penstock that feeds scroll case 114. Some embodiments comprise flow control means installed at the junction of scroll case 114 and the penstock.
Valves that may be used to control the flow of water into energy dissipator 120 may be pre-existing features of the legacy generating station into which energy dissipator 120 is retro-fitted, although this is not necessary and new valves could be installed where energy dissipator 120 is retrofitted into casing 112.
[0043] In other embodiments, other types of hydraulic energy dissipators may be used to reduce water pressure between the outlet of penstock and the outlet of draft tube 125. For example, one or more single plate multiple orifice hydraulic energy dissipators, dual plate multiple orifice energy dissipating valves, multi-plate multiple orifice energy dissipating valves, and/or the like may installed in a pressure containment chamber defined by turbine casing 112, turbine pit cover 134 and sealing plate 136.
[0044] In some embodiments, energy dissipator 120 is installed entirely in turbine pit 116 (e.g., sealing plate 136 may be installed at the inlet of draft tube 125 rather than at a location within draft tube 125). In some embodiments, energy dissipator 120 is installed entirely in draft tube 125 (e.g., sleeve 222 may be sealed at its top end by a plate spaced apart from turbine pit cover 134).
[0045] In some embodiments, the shape of turbine casing 112 may be changed when energy dissipator 120 is installed therein. By way of non-limiting example, some or all of scroll case 114, turbine pit 116, and/or draft tube 125 may be re-shaped by adding and/or removing concrete, steel or the like.
[0046] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example embodiment where a legacy hydroelectric generating station 200 has been converted into a by-pass according to a particular embodiment by removing a turbine generator from, and retrofitting a hydraulic energy dissipator 220 into, turbine casing 212.
Turbine casing 212 may be substantially similar to turbine casing 12 of generating station 10 described above and may define a scroll case 214, a turbine pit 216 and a draft tube 225. When converted into a by-pass 200A, turbine casing 212 provides pressure containment for energy dissipator 220.
[0047] Energy dissipator 220 of the Figure 3 embodiment is generally similar to energy dissipator 120 of Figure 2 and similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar components, except that the reference numerals for components of energy dissipator 220 are preceded by the numeral "2" whereas reference numerals for components of energy dissipator 120 are preceded by the numeral "1 ". Energy dissipator 220 differs from energy dissipator 120 in that energy dissipator 220 comprises a hollow cylindrical cage 240 that defines a bore 247 and surrounds its sleeve 222.
[00481 Cage 240 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an upper cage flange 246 and a lower cage flange 248, at its upper and lower ends, respectively. Upper cage flange 246 of the illustrated embodiment is an external flange. Upper cage flange 246 may be coupled (e.g. bolted, welded, epoxied or the like) to turbine pit cover 234, which, in a manner similar to turbine pit cover 134 of energy dissipator 120, is affixed across the mouth of turbine pit 216. Lower cage flange 248 of the illustrated embodiment comprises an internal flange. Lower cage flange 248 may have a plurality of locating apertures, holes, concavities or similar mounting features. Sealing plate 236 may comprise a plurality of dowel pins 238, pins, bolts or similar complementary mounting features for locating lower cage flange 248 upon sealing plate 136. Lower cage flange 248 may be coupled (e.g. bolted, welded, epoxied, held in place by downward force of gravity and/or force from turbine pit cover 234 acting on sleeve 222, etc.) to sealing plate 236 which may be installed in draft tube 225. Sealing plate 236 comprises an optional gasket 237, which provides a watertight seal between lower cage flange 248 and sealing plate 236.
[00491 Sealing plate 236 of the Figure 3 embodiment is supported in draft tube 225 by a segmented ring 239. Segmented ring 239 comprises a central notch 239A on its upper surface. Sealing plate 236 and gasket 237 may be sealingly received in notch 239A.
Segmented ring 239 may also be sealingly affixed to the inner circumference of draft tube 225. Segmented ring 239 may be sealingly affixed to the inner circumference of draft tube 225 using adhesives, mechanical fasteners, a combination thereof, or the like, to thereby form a watertight seal.
[00501 The lower end of sleeve 222 is supported by sealing plate 236 and is received in the aperture defined by lower cage flange 248. In the Figure 3 embodiment, the upper end of sleeve 222 comprises an external flange that is coupled to turbine pit cover 234 and received in the bore 247 of cage 240. Cage 240 provides strength to energy dissipator 220 and may reduce vibration associated with the operation of energy dissipator 220. In some embodiments, energy dissipator 220 comprises one or more braces (not shown) which couple cage 240 to sleeve 222 at points intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. In some embodiments, cage 240 may be installed before sleeve 222, and cage 240 may serve as a guide for locating sleeve 222 during installation of sleeve 222 in casing 212.
[0051] In some embodiments, energy dissipator 220 is designed so that sleeve 222 is removable from cage 240. For example, turbine pit cover 234 may be removable and sleeve 222 may be held in place (e.g. by coupling to turbine pit cover 234, by support from cage 240, by gravity, by downward force from turbine pit cover 234, by some combination of these or the like. Some legacy generating stations into which energy dissipator 220 is retro-fitted may comprise a gantry crane originally operable to remove a generator installed above turbine pit 216. Such a gantry crane may be operated to remove and install sleeve 222 in cage 240. The ability to remove sleeve 222 may be advantageous for removing debris which may clog the apertures 222B of sleeve 222 and/or for servicing or otherwise maintaining energy generator 220.
[0052] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of energy dissipator 220 taken along the line 3A-3A of Figure 3 to show sleeve 222, apertures 222B, sealing plate 236, dowel pins 238 cage 240 and lower cage flange 248. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 3A, cage comprises a plurality of large cage apertures 242 through which water may enter into a bore 247 of cage 240 and into contact with the outside of sleeve 222. Cage apertures 242 may be of any configuration suitable to pass flow of water sufficient to meet the purpose of energy dissipator 220. Once water enters bore 247 of cage 240 through cage apertures 242, its interaction with the remainder of energy dissipator 220 (e.g. sleeve 222 and apertures 222B) and its eventual egress through draft tube 225 may be substantially similar to that of energy dissipator 120 described above.
[0053] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of another example embodiment where a legacy hydroelectric generating station 300 has been converted into a by-pass according to a particular embodiment by removing a turbine generator from, and retrofitting a hydraulic energy dissipating valve 320 into, turbine casing 312. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of energy dissipating valve taken along the line 4A-4A
of Figure 4.
Turbine casing 312 may be substantially similar to turbine casing 12 of generating station 10 described above and may define a scroll case 314, a turbine pit 316 and a draft tube 325. When converted into a by-pass 300A, turbine casing 312 provides pressure containment for energy dissipating valve 320 as described in more detail below.
[0054] Energy dissipating valve 320 of the Figure 4 embodiment is generally similar to energy dissipator 220 of Figure 3 and similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar components, except that the reference numerals for components of valve 320 are preceded by the numeral "3" whereas reference numerals for components of energy dissipator 220 are preceded by the numeral "2". Valve 320 differs from energy dissipator 220 in that valve 320 comprises an energy dissipator 320A and a hollow cylindrical obturator 350 which may be co-axial with, and slidable within, bore 323 of sleeve 322.
Obturator 350 is slidable axially along sleeve 322 to block apertures 322B and to thereby prevent water flow from the outside of sleeve 322 into its bore 323. Where sleeve 322 comprises spirally arranged apertures 322B (as shown in Figure 4), overlap or reduced vertical separation between vertically adjacent apertures 322A may permit finer control over the rate of water flowing into bore 323 (e.g., as compared with apertures arranged in a square lattice) and may also reduce the impact of pressure shock waves (e.g.
"water hammer") caused by the rapid changes in pressure that occur when obturator 350 is moved relative to sleeve 322.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiment obturator 350 is configured to slide within bore 323 along the inner surface of sleeve 322. The leading edge 350A of obturator 350 may comprise an optional hardened bevel 350B, which may act as a scraper to clear debris (e.g. organic matter) that may be captured in apertures 322B of sleeve 322. In some embodiments, leading edge 350A is formed of stelliteTM, some other suitably hard metallic alloy, or the like.
[0056] Obturator 350 is operatively coupled to an actuator 360 by an axial stem 332.
Stem 332 passes through an aperture 334A of turbine pit cover 334. A packed stem seal 351 comprising anti-extrusion ring 352 and packing 354 seals the passage of stem 332 through turbine pit cover 334. In other embodiments, energy dissipating valves may comprise obturators that are slidable along the outsides of their sleeves. In some such embodiments, the valves comprise a plurality of stems that pass through a corresponding plurality of apertures in their turbine pit cover.
[0057] Actuator 360 is selectively operable to advance and withdraw obturator 350 along sleeve 322. By way of non-limiting example, actuator 360 may comprise an electric motor, an electro-mechanical actuator, a hydraulic actuator (e.g., an actuator powered by penstock pressure), a pneumatic actuator, a manual actuator or the like.
[0058] Valve 320 also differs from energy dissipator 220 in that valve 320 comprises a seat 360 around the inner circumference of the outlet of sleeve 322. Seat 360 provides a surface against which the leading edge 350A of obturator 350 may be sealed when obturator 350 is in its lowermost position. It will be appreciated that where the leading edge 350A of obturator 350 is sealed against seat 360, energy dissipating valve 320 may be used to shut off the flow of water through turbine case 312. Whereas shutting off the flow of water through turbine case 312 using a valve upstream of the inlet of scroll case 114 leaves pressure containment chamber 329 empty of water and can cause correspondingly large pressure shock waves (e.g. "water hammer") when water is permitted to flow again, shutting off the flow of water through turbine case 312 using valve 320 leaves pressure containment chamber 329 filled with water, thereby reducing the pressure differential across any upstream valves and the consequent pressure shock waves associated with filling penstock 38 . Since drawing obturator 350 away from seal 360 restores the flow of water through turbine case 312 by releasing water through apertures 322B, valve 320 may permit the flow of water through turbine casing 312 to be restored with less water hammer, cavitation, noise, and vibration than may occur when restoring flow using an upstream valve (such as may occur due to water rushing through an upstream butterfly valve to fill pressure containment chamber 329, for example).
[0059] In other embodiments, sleeve 322 is configured so that advancing obturator 350 away from turbine pit cover 334 exposes apertures 322B (e.g., throttling element 322A
(located at the bottom end of sleeve 322 in the illustrated embodiment) may be located at the top end of sleeve 322). In such embodiments, the upper edge of obturator 350 is the leading edge thereof, and may comprises an optional hardened bevel. In other embodiments, other types of energy dissipating valves are installed in turbine casing 312.
For example, a dual-plate multi-orifice energy dissipating valve may be installed in or across draft tube 325 or the inlet of scroll case 314.
[00601 Figure 5 is a October 4, 201 Oflow chart of a method 400 for retrofitting an energy dissipator (e.g., one of dissipators 120 and 220) or energy dissipating valve (e.g. valve 320) in a turbine casing (e.g. turbine casings 112, 212, 312) of a legacy hydroelectric generating station according to an example embodiment. For the purposes of explanation of method 400, it will be assumed that energy dissipator 120 is being retrofitted into turbine casing 112, it being appreciated that method 400 may be applied (with suitable modifications where required) using any of the dissipators or energy dissipating valves described herein. In some embodiments, method 400 begins at block 440, which comprises mounting energy dissipator 120 into an empty turbine casing 112.
After mounting energy dissipator 120 into turbine casing 112, turbine casing 112 is sealed in block 460 form pressure containment chamber 129 between the energy dissipator 120 and the turbine casing 112, which causes water entering turbine casing 112 from the penstock outlet to pass through energy dissipator 120. In some embodiments, block 440 and block 460 may be combined.
[0061) In some embodiments, method 400 comprises one or more of optional blocks 410, 420, 430 and 450. Block 410 involves removing legacy turbine equipment from turbine casing 112. Turbine equipment removed in block 410 may include, without limitation, one or more of a turbine runner, a stem, stay vanes, wicket gates, a turbine cover, and the like.
[00621 Block 420 comprises performing concrete formwork in and/or on turbine casing 112. Concrete formwork performed in block 420 may include, without limitation, forming mounting structures in turbine casing 125 (e.g. similar to concavity 140 and/or flanges for support sealing ring 136), reshaping some or all of turbine casing 112 (e.g., some or all of a scroll case 114, turbine pit 116 and/or draft tube 125), and/or the like.
Block 420 may additionally or alternatively involve removing concrete (or other structural material) from turbine casing 112.
[00631 Optional block 430 comprises installing a support cage (e.g. similar to support cage 240) in turbine casing 125. In some embodiments, block 430 may be combined with block 440. For example, an energy dissipator comprising a sleeve and a support cage could be installed as a single unit. In some embodiments, block 430 may be performed after block 440. In some embodiments, at least part of block 460 is performed at the same time as and/or after block 430.
[0064] Block 450 comprises installing an obturator (e.g. obturator 350) and actuator (e.g.
actuator 360) that is operable to selectively advance and withdrawn the obturator along an energy dissipator to control the flow of water through the dissipator. Block 450 may be combined with one or more of blocks 430, 440 and 460. Block 450 may be performed in part before block 460 and in part after block 460. For example, an obturator and associated stem may be installed, then a turbine cover with an aperture for the stem placed over the mouth of the turbine pit, then the actuator may be connected to the stem.
[0065] It will be appreciated that the preferred mode for practicing embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein may depend on the particular circumstances in which the embodiments are practised. For instance, it will generally be preferable to practise embodiments of the invention according to modes that accommodate the features of the legacy generating station in which the embodiments are practised.
[0066] Where a component (e.g., hydraulic energy dissipator, sleeve, valve, obturator, sealing ring, gasket, seat, turbine pit cover, actuator, lug, segmented ring, etc.) is referred to above, unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a "means") should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
[0067] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain features of embodiments described herein may be used in combination with features of other embodiments described herein, and that embodiments described herein may be practised or implemented without all of the features ascribed to them herein. Such variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations comprising mixing and matching of features from different embodiments, are within the scope of this invention.
100681 As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations, modifications, additions and permutations are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.
The embodiments described herein are only examples. Other example embodiments may be obtained, without limitation, by combining features of the disclosed embodiments. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such alterations, modifications, permutations, additions, combinations and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Claims (49)
1. An energy dissipating assembly for installation in a legacy hydroelectric generating station configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet, the assembly comprising:
an energy dissipator mountable in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet;
means for forming a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
an energy dissipator mountable in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet;
means for forming a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the energy dissipator comprises a multi-aperture sleeve-type energy dissipator.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the means for forming the pressure containment chamber comprise means for sealing a lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the means for sealing the lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube comprises a sealing plate.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the sealing plate comprises an aperture located to pass water from a bore of the energy dissipator.
6. The assembly of any one of claims 4 and 5 wherein the means for sealing the lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube comprises a gasket.
7. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit having a mouth, and the means for forming the pressure containment chamber comprises means for sealing the mouth of the turbine pit.
8. The assembly of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit having a mouth, and the means for forming the pressure containment chamber comprises a turbine pit cover configured to seal an upper end of the energy dissipator.
9. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising means for mounting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet.
10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the means for mounting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises a plurality of lugs.
11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the means for mounting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises a segmented ring.
12. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit, and the means for mounting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises turbine pit cover coupleable suspend to the energy dissipator therefrom.
13. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising a support cage mountable in the turbine casing.
14. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 13 comprising an obturator slidable along the energy dissipator to block apertures of the energy dissipator.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the obturator is slidable along a bore of the energy dissipator.
16. The assembly of any one of claims 14 and 15 wherein the energy dissipator comprises a seat against which the obturator may be sealed to block the flow of water through the energy dissipator.
17. An energy dissipating installation in a legacy hydroelectric generating station, the generating station comprising a turbine casing configured to pass water from a penstock to a draft tube outlet, the installation comprising:
an energy dissipator installed in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and means forming a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
an energy dissipator installed in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and means forming a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
18. The installation of claim 19 wherein the energy dissipator comprises a multi-aperture sleeve-type energy dissipator.
19. The installation of claim 18 wherein the means forming the pressure containment chamber comprises means sealing a lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube.
20. The installation of claim 19 wherein the means sealing the lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube comprises a sealing plate.
21. The installation of claim 20 wherein the sealing plate comprises an aperture located to pass water from a bore of the energy dissipator.
22. The installation of any one of claims 20 and 21 wherein the means sealing the lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube comprises a gasket.
23. The installation of any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit having a mouth, and the means forming the pressure containment chamber comprises means sealing the mouth of the turbine pit.
24. The installation of any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit having a mouth, and the means forming the pressure containment chamber comprises a turbine pit cover sealing an upper end of the energy dissipator.
25. The installation of any one of claims 17 to 23 comprising means supporting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing between the penstock and the draft tube outlet.
26. The installation of claim 25 wherein the means supporting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises a plurality of lugs mounted in the draft tube.
27. The installation of claim 25 wherein the means supporting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises a segmented ring mounted in the draft tube.
28. The installation of claim 25 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit, and the supporting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises turbine pit cover coupled to the energy dissipator.
29. The installation of any one of claims 17 to 28 comprising a support cage mountable in the turbine casing.
30. The installation of any one of claims 17 to 29 comprising an obturator slidable along the energy dissipator to block apertures of the energy dissipator.
31. The installation of claim 30 wherein the obturator is slidable along a bore of the energy dissipator.
32. The installation of any one of claims 30 and 31 wherein the energy dissipator comprises a seat against which the obturator may be sealed to block the flow of water through the energy dissipator.
33. A method for retro-fitting an energy dissipating valve in a legacy hydroelectric generating station to provide a by-pass, the legacy hydroelectric generating station configured to pass water from a penstock through a turbine casing to a draft tube outlet, the method comprising:
mounting an energy dissipator between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and sealing the turbine casing to form a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
mounting an energy dissipator between the penstock and the draft tube outlet; and sealing the turbine casing to form a pressure containment chamber between the energy dissipator and the turbine casing.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the energy dissipator comprises a multi-aperture sleeve-type energy dissipator.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein forming the pressure containment chamber comprises sealing a lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein sealing the lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube comprises installing a sealing plate.
37. The method of claim 36 wherein the sealing plate comprises an aperture located to pass water from a bore of the energy dissipator.
38. The method of any one of claims 36 and 37 wherein sealing the lower end of the energy dissipator against the draft tube comprises installing a gasket.
39. The method of any one of claims 33 to 38 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit having a mouth, and forming the pressure containment chamber comprises sealing the mouth of the turbine pit.
40. The method of any one of claims 34 to 38 wherein the turbine casing comprises a turbine pit having a mouth, and forming the pressure containment chamber comprises sealing an upper end of the energy dissipator with a turbine pit cover.
41. The method of any one of claims 33 to 39 wherein mounting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises installing a plurality of lugs in the draft tube.
42. The method of any one of claims 33 to 40 wherein mounting the energy dissipator comprises installing a segmented ring.
43. The method of any one of claims 33 to 42 wherein turbine casing comprises a turbine pit, and mounting the energy dissipator in the turbine casing comprises coupling the energy dissipator to a turbine pit cover.
44. The method of any one of claims 33 to 43 comprising removing turbine equipment from the turbine casing.
45. The method of any one of claims 33 to 44 comprising performing concrete formwork on the turbine casing.
46. The method of any one of claims 33 to 45 comprising installing a support cage in the turbine casing.
47. The method of any one of claims 33 to 46 comprising installing an obturator slidable along the energy dissipator to block apertures of the energy dissipator.
48. The method of any one of claims 33 to 47 comprising installing an obturator in a bore of the energy dissipator.
49. The method of any one of claims 47 and 48 wherein the energy dissipator comprises a seat against which the obturator may be sealed to block the flow of water through the energy dissipator.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2717581A CA2717581A1 (en) | 2010-10-12 | 2010-10-12 | Methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2717581A CA2717581A1 (en) | 2010-10-12 | 2010-10-12 | Methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2717581A1 true CA2717581A1 (en) | 2011-01-18 |
Family
ID=43495964
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2717581A Abandoned CA2717581A1 (en) | 2010-10-12 | 2010-10-12 | Methods and apparatus for dissipating hydrostatic head in hydroelectric power generating stations |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2717581A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012163184A1 (en) * | 2011-05-27 | 2012-12-06 | 长江勘测规划设计研究有限责任公司 | Combined embedding method for steel volute of large hydroelectric generating set |
| WO2019002750A1 (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-01-03 | Reyes Francois | Power turbine device involving a fall of water brought about by the use of a venturi tube, and hydraulic energy production facility employing such a power turbine device |
| FR3068397A1 (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-01-04 | Francois Reyes | DEVICE FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE, IN PARTICULAR FROM A MEDIUM HEIGHT WATER FALL |
-
2010
- 2010-10-12 CA CA2717581A patent/CA2717581A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2012163184A1 (en) * | 2011-05-27 | 2012-12-06 | 长江勘测规划设计研究有限责任公司 | Combined embedding method for steel volute of large hydroelectric generating set |
| WO2019002750A1 (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-01-03 | Reyes Francois | Power turbine device involving a fall of water brought about by the use of a venturi tube, and hydraulic energy production facility employing such a power turbine device |
| FR3068397A1 (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-01-04 | Francois Reyes | DEVICE FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE, IN PARTICULAR FROM A MEDIUM HEIGHT WATER FALL |
| FR3068398A1 (en) * | 2017-06-28 | 2019-01-04 | Francois Reyes | TURBINING DEVICE INVOLVING A WATER FALL CAUSED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A VENTURI TUBE AND A HYDRAULIC POWER GENERATION PLANT USING SUCH A TURBINING DEVICE |
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