Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0042—Degasification of liquids modifying the liquid flow
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0036—Flash degasification
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
  • B01D19/0063—Regulation, control including valves and floats
• • 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
  • F03B11/04—Parts or details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the preceding groups, e.g. wear-protection couplings, between turbine and generator for diminishing cavitation or vibration, e.g. balancing
• • 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
  • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
  • F03B13/06—Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, e.g. comprising a turbine and a pump
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
  • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
  • F05B2240/00—Components
  • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
  • F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
• • 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
• • 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
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/16—Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a plant for converting hydraulic energy into mechanical or electrical energy, such an installation comprising a hydraulic turbine intended to be traversed by a forced flow of water coming from a water reservoir, such as a dam reservoir or equivalent.
• a hydroelectric dam can be a source of greenhouse gases. Indeed, for example in a tropical environment, the decomposition of organic matter of plant or geological origin that is immersed in the water reservoir can lead to the formation of methane (CH 4 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) or other gases. Such a phenomenon occurs especially in water reservoirs bordered by forests or when the water reservoir has been created above a pre-existing forest. Methane is mainly formed in areas of the reservoir that are low in oxygen, that is, near the bottom and the stagnant banks of the reservoir. Carbon dioxide is formed mainly on the surface. Methane has a greater greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide.
• the gases thus formed can be released into the atmosphere by different routes. They are emitted by diffusion and boiling, these phenomena can be distributed over the entire surface of the water reservoir and can not, in practice, be avoided. These gases are also emitted at the turbines of the dam insofar as, crossing the turbines, the water undergoes a strong pressure drop. Indeed, before crossing the turbine, the water is at a high pressure which depends on the depth of the intake of the supply pipe in the water reservoir, so that a significant amount of each gas could have dissolved in the water. At the turbine outlet, the water is at a relatively low pressure, that is, at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure, so that the water is less likely to contain dissolved gas. A relatively large amount of methane and other gases dissolved in the water is therefore likely to be released by boiling due to the lowering of the pressure of the water resulting from its passage through the turbine (s). a blocade.
• the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing to limit the emission of greenhouse gases in hydraulic installations, such as dams, without disturbing the operation of these installations.
• the invention relates to a plant for converting hydraulic energy into mechanical or electrical energy, this installation comprising at least one hydraulic turbine, a water reservoir and a feed pipe for the turbine in water coming from the water retention.
• This installation is characterized in that it comprises:
• the device makes it possible to raise the water which is directed towards the feed pipe, so that this water undergoes a decompression of such a nature as to release, by boiling, the gases which it contains, such as than methane. These gases escape to the surface of the water reservoir, in the vicinity of the device.
• the gas collection means then make it possible to recover these gases before they dissipate into the atmosphere.
• the invention allows the water directed towards the turbine or turbines to be relatively low in dissolved gas, so that the expansion which occurs during the passage of the forced flow in the turbine generates few gas bubbles at the outlet of the turbine. turbine. According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention taken in any technically permissible combination, the installation may incorporate one or more of the following features:
• the device comprises at least two panels disposed in the water reservoir and defining between them a volume of upward flow of the water flow.
• a first panel is located upstream of the second panel, according to the general direction of flow of water in the water reservoir, and the first panel extends away from the bottom of the reservoir.
• an inlet passage of the water flow in the upflow volume being provided between a lower edge of the first panel and the bottom of the water reservoir.
• the first panel protrudes from the surface of the water in the reservoir.
• the second panel extends to the bottom of the water reservoir and an outlet passage of the water flow with respect to the upflow volume is provided between an upper edge of the second panel and the surface of the reservoir. 'water.
• the panels are fixed. Alternatively, the panels are at least partially vertically movable, which allows to adapt their operation to the height of the water reservoir which can vary with the seasons.
• the gas collection means comprise a gas collection chamber formed by a concave structure whose concavity is turned towards a part of the device and which is open downwards.
• the concave structure is floating on the surface of the water reservoir. It can be disposed substantially above the upflow volume and the upper edge of the second panel.
• At least one gas collection chamber is in fluid communication with an upper zone of the internal volume of the duct, in a substantially horizontal portion of the duct, while the chamber (s) is or are connected to the internal volume; of the duct by one or more openings which are distributed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the substantially horizontal portion duct and while the chamber is delimited by a shell attached to the upper part of a wall of the duct and is connected tightly there.
• the chamber is unique and connected to the internal volume of the duct by several openings. - Several chambers are distributed over the length of the substantially horizontal portion of the duct and each connected by at least one opening to the internal volume of the duct.
• a first ratio between the distance, taken parallel to a central axis of the horizontal portion of the duct, between, on the one hand, the axis of rotation of the wheel of the hydraulic turbine and the upstream edge of the opening most upstream of the gas collection chamber and, secondly, the diameter of the wheel is greater than 1, in particular equal to 2, and a second ratio between the distance, taken parallel to the central axis, between the axis of rotation of the wheel and the downstream edge of the opening downstream of the gas collection chamber and, secondly, the diameter of the wheel, is greater than 2, especially equal to 3 when the first report is equal to 1.
• the chamber is connected by a conduit to a gas storage tank, optionally removable, or to a gas treatment unit collected in the chamber.
• the gas collection chamber is connected to means for evacuation or treatment of the collected gas (s).
• FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of principle, in axial section along the axis of rotation of the wheel of a turbine, an installation according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of detail II in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of detail III in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is a section along the line IV-IV in Figure 3;
• - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, for an installation according to a second embodiment of the invention
• - Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3 for an installation according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• the installation I shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a turbine 1 of the Francis type whose wheel 2 is intended to be rotated about a vertical axis X 2 by a forced flow E coming from a reservoir. R water delimited by a dyke D.
• a shaft 3 integral with the wheel 2 is coupled to an alternator 4 which delivers an alternating current to a not shown network, depending on the rotation of the wheel 2.
• the installation I thus allows to converting the hydraulic energy of the flow E into electrical energy.
• the installation I may comprise several turbines 1 supplied from the water reservoir R.
• the shaft 3 can be coupled to a mechanical assembly, in which case the installation I converts the hydraulic energy of the flow E into mechanical energy.
• a supply line 5 makes it possible to bring the flow E to the wheel 2 and extends between the water container R and a tank 6 equipped with guides 61 which make it possible to regulate the flow E.
• a pipe 8 is provided downstream of the turbine 1 to evacuate the flow E and return it to the bed of a river or river from which the reservoir R. is formed.
• a control unit 10 is provided for controlling the turbine 1, in particular as a function of the electricity requirements of the network supplied from the alternator 4.
• the unit 10 is capable of defining several operating points of the installation I and to address, respectively to the alternator 4 and the directors 61, control signals Si and S 2 .
• a device 200 is immersed in the water container R to impose the water towards the mouth 51 of the pipe 5 an upward movement. It is noted E 0 the flow of water in the water reservoir R in the direction of the mouth 51. This flow takes place generally in the direction of the dam D.
• the device 200 includes a first panel 202 which extends over substantially the entire width of the water reservoir R, that is to say the size of this water reservoir parallel to the dike D.
• the device 200 also comprises a second panel 204 substantially parallel to the first panel 202 and which also extends over substantially the entire width of the water reservoir R.
• the panel 202 With respect to the direction of flow of the water in the water reservoir R, the panel 202 is upstream of the panel 204. In the case of a water retention R of large width, the panels 202 and
• the panel 204 may extend over only a portion of the width of the water reservoir, provided that all the water intended to enter the pipe 5 passes between these panels. To do this, partitions perpendicular to the dike D may be provided to isolate the mouth 51 of a portion of the water reservoir R.
• the panel 202 is supported by feet 206 which are regularly spaced, on the length of the panel, so that the lower edge 208 of the panel 202 extends at a height H 1 nonzero relative to the bottom F of the water reservoir R.
• the heights of the feet 206 and the panel 202 are chosen such that the latter exceeds the surface S E of the water in the water reservoir R.
• the panel 204 rests, meanwhile, on the bottom F and its upper edge 210 is immersed in the water retainer R, at a depth Pi which depends on the level of the water in the reservoir R.
• Bracing rods 212 are installed between the panels 202 and 204, which gives a good stability to the device 200. Note V 2 oo the volume defined between the panels 202 and 204.
• the flow E 0 which is directed towards the mouth 51 of the pipe 5 must necessarily pass above the upper edge 210 of the panel 204.
• the flow E 0 must have an upward movement in the volume V 20O -
• the flow E 0 must necessarily pass under this panel and enter the volume V 2 oo where it necessarily has the aforementioned upward movement.
• the flow E 0 enters between the panels 202 and 204 by passing through a first passage 214 defined, in height, between the edge 208 and the bottom F and, in width, between two at least the feet 206. 214, the flow E 0 has an upward movement, inside the volume V 2 oo, until pouring towards the downstream part of the restraint R, between the panel 204 and the dike D, to engage in 5. This discharge of the flow E 0 takes place at through a passage 216 defined between the upper edge 210 of the panel 204 and the surface S E.
• the water constituting this flow is subjected to decreasing pressure.
• the water pressure is important near the bottom F, while it decreases substantially in the vicinity of the surface S E , since this pressure is proportional to the depth of the water.
• the upward movement of the flow E 0 in the volume V 2 oo has the effect of reducing the pressure to which the flow E 0 is subjected, to the point that bubbles B of methane or other gases are formed in the flow E 0 , close to the surface S E.
• Means for collecting and recovering the methane bubbles thus released are provided in the form of a raft 400 floating on the surface S E and immobilized above the volume V 20 O and the panel 204.
• This raft 400 comprises a flange 402 ensuring its flotation, and a cap 404 of concave shape, the concavity is turned towards the surface S E.
• bubbles B of methane and / or other gases that reach the surface of the water reservoir R, inside the coil 402 can be recovered by a collection chamber 412 formed by the cap 404.
• the cap 404 is connected by a flexible conduit 406 to a tank 420 supported by the dike D and in which are stored the gases recovered in the chamber 412.
• the tank 420 may be removable, to be replaced when it is full.
• the flow E 0 may comprise several gases and bubbles B may be different gas mixtures, these different gases being collected by the raft 400 and conveyed to the tank 420.
• the panels 202 and 204 may be made of metal, concrete or composite or synthetic material. They are immobilized inside the water reservoir R by means not shown such as, for example, anchoring studs and / or legs of forces bearing on the dike D.
• the conduit 8 comprises a part upstream 81 substantially vertical, frustoconical and centered on the axis of rotation X 2 of the wheel 2.
• the duct 8 also comprises a downstream portion 82 centered on a substantially horizontal axis X 82 .
• the X axis 82 is substantially horizontal in that it forms with an horizontal plane an angle less than 20 °.
• the X axis 82 can be slightly ascending in the direction of the flow E.
• a bend 83 at 90 ° connects the parts 81 and 82 of the duct 8.
• the value of the angle formed by the elbow 83 may be less than 90 °.
• V 8 the internal volume of the duct 8.
• a chamber 12 is formed above the portion 82 of the duct 8 and communicates with the volume V 8 by means of several openings 14 formed in the wall 16 of the duct 8, in the upper part of this wall.
• the openings 14 are distributed along the length of the portion 82, along the X axis 82 .
• the chamber 12 thus makes it possible to recover a substantial part of the methane released by the flow E, thus preventing this methane from spreading to the atmosphere.
• the chamber 12 is connected by a pipe 18 to a tank 20 in which the methane can be accumulated.
• a valve 22 makes it possible to control the circulation of the methane from the chamber 12 to the tank 20.
• the unit 10 controls the tap 22 by a signal S 3 .
• the chamber 12 makes it possible to collect the various gases that are released due to the pressure drop of the flow E in the turbine 1 and, when the above methane is mentioned, this also concerns the other gases.
• the tank 20 may be removable, in order to be replaced when it is full.
• a treatment unit for these gases can be provided, in order to make them less harmful with respect to the ambient atmosphere.
• This unit may include a burner that produces calories.
• the distance, taken parallel to the X axis 82 between the axis X 2 and the upstream edge 121 of the chamber 12.
• d 2 the distance, taken parallel to the axis X 82 , between the X axis 2 and the downstream edge 122 of the chamber 12.
• the edges 121 and 122 respectively form the upstream edge of the opening upstream 14 and the downstream edge of the opening 14 downstream.
• the distance di is greater than 5 meters, preferably equal to about 10 meters, while the distance d 2 is greater than 10 meters, preferably equal to About 15 meters.
• the ratio di / D 2 is greater than 1, for example equal to 2, while the ratio d 2 / D 2 is greater than 2, for example equal to 3 when di / D 2 is 2.
• the chamber 12 is delimited by a steel shell 24 which is attached to the upper portion 161 of the wall 16 and is connected sealingly there, for example by welding.
• the shell may be made of a material different from steel, in particular synthetic material or concrete.
• the chamber 12 may be replaced by a plurality of individual chambers distributed along the portion 82 of the conduit 8, each of these chambers being connected by one or more openings to the internal volume V 8 of the 8.
• the chamber or chambers 12 complete the action of the device 200 and the raft
• the downstream panel 204 is formed of a fixed part 2042 immobilized in the water retainer R and a mobile part 2044 controlled by a jack 2046 mounted on the fixed part 2042.
• the movable part 2044 is capable of vertical movement relative to the fixed part, as represented by the double arrow Fi, which makes it possible to adjust the position of the upper edge 210 of the panel 204 with respect to the surface of the water S E , so that the output passage 216 of the volume V 2 oo can maintain a preset height.
• the depth P 1 at which the edge 210 is located can be adjusted by means of the jack 2046.
• the upstream panel 202 is fixed and its upper edge protrudes from the surface of the water S E. It defines with the downstream panel 204 a volume V 2 oo in which an upward movement is imposed by the device 200 to a flow E 0 intended to enter the mouth 51 of the penstock 5, which induces the formation of bubbles. gas B, as in the first embodiment.
• the raft 400 used in this embodiment is immobilized above the volume V 2 oo and equipped with a flare 418 mounted on its cap 404, which makes it possible to burn the gases, such as methane, which migrate in the form of bubbles B to the chamber 412 defined by the cap 404. These gases are then destroyed by combustion and the gases resulting from this combustion, mainly CO 2 , have a lesser influence on the greenhouse effect than methane.
• the panel 202 may also be provided at least in part vertically movable.
• the feet 206 may be telescopic or the panel 202 may be floating and guided vertically by a frame fixed on the bottom F. Its upper edge always exceeds above the surface S E.
• the means not shown such as moorings fixed to the panel 202, are provided to retain the raft 400 above the volume 200 and the passage 216.
• means for collecting gas bubbles created by the upward movement of the flow E 0 in the device 200 can be supported by the upper part of the panel 202, so that it It is not necessary to resort to a raft.
• Each chamber 12 is delimited by a sealed steel shell 24 attached to the upper part 161 of the wall 16 of the duct 8.
• the various chambers are interconnected by portions, a conduit 18 which connects them collectively to a tank, such as the tank 20 of the first embodiment, or to a unit for processing the collected gases.
• the ratio di / D 2 is greater than 1 while the ratio d 2 / D 2 is greater than 2 and di / D 2 .
• the structure of the device 200 and the raft 400 is relatively simple to implement, so that it can be used not only for new installations but also for the rehabilitation of existing facilities.
• the invention is not limited to installations comprising a turbine
• Francis It can be implemented in all installations comprising a turbine of another type, for example a Kaplan turbine or a bulb turbine, in which one or more gases dissolved in water can be released due to the passage of a forced water flow through the turbine.
• a turbine of another type for example a Kaplan turbine or a bulb turbine, in which one or more gases dissolved in water can be released due to the passage of a forced water flow through the turbine.
• the existing exhaust duct may be extended to allow the establishment of the gas collection chamber.
• the gas collection chamber may be formed by a "bell" type device disposed at the outlet of the evacuation pipe, for example on a raft floating on the surface of the stream, downstream of the installation, or hooked to the downstream end of the vent pipe.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
• Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)

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• 2010
  • 2010-01-22 EP EP10707569A patent/EP2382023A2/fr not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-01-22 CN CN2010800051304A patent/CN102292134A/zh active Pending
  • 2010-01-22 AP AP2011005825A patent/AP2011005825A0/xx unknown
  • 2010-01-22 US US13/144,677 patent/US9003785B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-01-22 CA CA2749744A patent/CA2749744A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2010-01-22 WO PCT/FR2010/050094 patent/WO2010084288A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2010-01-22 MX MX2011007816A patent/MX2011007816A/es active IP Right Grant
• 2011
  • 2011-07-19 EC EC2011011215A patent/ECSP11011215A/es unknown
  • 2011-07-21 CL CL2011001770A patent/CL2011001770A1/es unknown
  • 2011-07-22 CO CO11091592A patent/CO6400205A2/es not_active Application Discontinuation

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