JP2004176705A - Hydraulic power generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hydraulic power generating device for increasing production of electricity, by utilizing conventional hydraulic power generating equipment. <P>SOLUTION: In the hydraulic power generating device, water is guided by a pipe 2 having water head difference to rotate a hydraulic turbine, so as to drive a generator (not shown in the figure) for generating electric power. The hydraulic power generating device is provided with a vacuum pump 5 for making suction force act on the water in the pipe 2 from the downstream of the hydraulic turbine 3 to increase a rotational speed of the hydraulic turbine 3. A vacuum chamber 4 communicating to the inside of the pipe 2 is disposed to the downstream of the hydraulic turbine 3, and a vacuum pump 5 is connected to the vacuum chamber 4. A drainage pump 6 is disposed to the downstream of the vacuum chamber 4 or the inside of the vacuum chamber 4 to perform drainage for securing a nearly vacuum area in the vacuum chamber 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a completely new type of hydroelectric power generation device that uses not only the water force obtained by free fall but also the water force obtained as a result of energizing flowing water.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional hydroelectric power generation device, for example, a device provided in a hydroelectric power plant, a water tank having a dam embankment portion as a main portion, and running water used for power generation discharged from the water tank through an intake port to a water turbine. There is disclosed a hydraulic pressure line including a hydraulic line, a water wheel that rotates by flowing water in the hydraulic line, and a generator driven by the water wheel (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Non-patent document 1]
The Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Civil Engineering Handbook II, 4th edition, Gihodo Shuppan, November 20, 1993, p. 1670
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, a new demand for hydroelectric power has been stimulated by the Kyoto Protocol and the like concluded on the prevention of global warming.
However, conventional hydraulic power generators require a head in the hydraulic pipeline to generate sufficient power from the intake to the turbine, and such a head is usually considerable due to the construction of dams, etc. using steep terrain. It can only be secured with the investment of resources, materials and labor, and it is virtually impossible to meet such demands with the construction of new hydropower plants.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to increase the power generation amount while using the conventional hydroelectric power generation equipment.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a hydraulic power generation device according to the present invention is a hydraulic power generation device that drives a generator by generating water by guiding water through a pipeline provided with a head difference to rotate the water turbine, thereby generating power downstream of the water turbine. It is characterized in that a vacuum suction pump for applying a vacuum suction force to water in the pipeline from the side to increase the rotation speed of the water turbine is provided.
[0006]
According to such a hydroelectric power generator, not only the head difference secured by the conventional hydroelectric power generation equipment but also a water turbine by applying a vacuum suction force to water in a pipeline by a vacuum suction pump from the downstream side of the water turbine. Can be rotated at an increased speed, so that the power generation amount can be increased while using the conventional hydroelectric power generation equipment.
[0007]
In such technical means, from the viewpoint of ensuring the function exhibited by the vacuum suction pump and increasing the power generation amount more reliably, a vacuum chamber communicating with the pipe downstream of the water turbine is provided. It is preferable that a vacuum suction pump is connected to this vacuum chamber.
[0008]
Here, as the vacuum chamber, one that communicates with the inside of the pipe line, regardless of what kind of structure is used, as long as it can rotate the water turbine by energizing the flowing water, The number of locations to be deployed may be appropriately selected.
[0009]
However, from the viewpoint of ensuring the function of the vacuum chamber and the vacuum suction pump to increase the power generation more reliably, the vacuum chamber projects upward from the downstream side of the water turbine in the pipeline. Preferably, the vacuum suction pump is adapted to maintain the remaining portion substantially at a vacuum while holding water inside the vacuum chamber.
[0010]
In this case, from the viewpoint of ensuring the function of the vacuum chamber and the vacuum suction pump to exert the effect of increasing the amount of power generation, the downstream side of the vacuum chamber or the inside of the vacuum chamber is considered. It is preferable to provide a drain pump for draining water to secure a substantially vacuum area in the vacuum chamber.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
Here, the case where the hydroelectric power generator is used in a pumped-storage type power plant will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a pouring type power plant, a regulating pond type power plant, a storage type power plant and other power plants are described. The following description is valid even when used in.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a view showing the overall configuration of a hydroelectric power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1 (a) is a sectional view, FIG. 1 (b) is a plan view), and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of FIG.
[0014]
In these figures, reference numeral 21 indicates a lower reservoir in which running water used for power generation is discharged.
[0015]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the hydroelectric generator guides water from an upper reservoir 1 as a water tank through a pipe 2 having a head difference to rotate a water turbine 3 to generate a generator (shown in FIG. 1). The vacuum pump 5 drives the outside of the turbine 3 to generate power, and is provided with a vacuum suction pump 5 for vacuum-suctioning the inside of the pipeline 2 from the downstream side of the water turbine 3 to increase the speed of the turbine.
[0016]
Specifically, as shown in the figure, this hydroelectric power generation device is provided in a pumped-storage power plant, and includes an upper reservoir 1, a pipeline 2 composed of a headrace tunnel 2 a and a hydraulic pipeline 2 b, The water turbine 3, the generator, the vacuum chamber 4, the vacuum suction pump 5, and the drainage pump 6 are provided.
[0017]
That is, as shown in the figure, the hydroelectric power generation system includes a conventional hydroelectric power generation system including an upper reservoir 1, a pipeline 2 composed of a headrace tunnel 2a and a hydraulic pipeline 2b, a water turbine 3, and a generator. As a new component, a vacuum chamber 4, a vacuum suction pump 5, and a drainage pump 6 are added, and conventional hydraulic power generation equipment is used.
[0018]
Hereinafter, each of these components will be described in more detail.
[0019]
(1) Upper reservoir 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper reservoir 1 is configured such that a discharge port 1a for discharging water used for power generation is provided to a pipeline 2 including a water conduction tunnel 2a and a hydraulic pipeline 2b.
[0020]
Here, the discharge port 1a is provided at a depth that does not generate a vortex from the surface of the stored water in the upper reservoir 1 (see FIG. 1). In other words, the outlet 1a is disposed at a depth that does not hinder the function of the vacuum suction pump 5 described later.
[0021]
That is, according to such a discharge port 1a, it is possible to effectively avoid a situation in which air is mixed into the inside of the pipeline 2 when discharging running water used for power generation, thereby increasing the power generation amount. It will not be reduced.
[0022]
(2) Headrace tunnel 2a and hydraulic pipeline 2b
As shown in FIG. 1, the pipeline 2 composed of the water introduction tunnel 2a and the hydraulic pipeline 2b is a water flow used for power generation from the discharge port 1a, which is taken in from the upstream end so that air is not mixed. It is configured to perform the function of guiding to the downstream end.
[0023]
Specifically, the water introduction tunnel 2a and the hydraulic line 2b are configured to be in a closed state that does not hinder the function of the vacuum suction pump 5 described later.
[0024]
That is, according to such a water conveyance tunnel 2a and the hydraulic pipeline 2b, a situation in which air is mixed in from outside the pipeline 2 when passing running water used for power generation is effectively avoided, and the power generation amount is increased. The effect will not be diminished.
[0025]
(3) Water wheel 3
As shown in FIG. 2, the water wheel 3 is configured to be rotated by running water used for power generation in the hydraulic line 2b.
[0026]
More specifically, although not shown, a plurality of water turbines 3 are provided, and have a gear train for driving the plurality of power generators at an equal speed. Thereby, in the case where a plurality of water turbines 3 are present, it is possible to realize an efficient power generation by uniformly allocating the obtained water power to each of the water turbines 3.
[0027]
(4) Generator Although not shown, the generator is configured to be driven by the water turbine 3.
[0028]
Specifically, although not shown, a plurality of power generators are provided corresponding to the plurality of water turbines 3, and are configured to contribute to efficient power generation together with the plurality of water turbines 3.
[0029]
(5) Vacuum chamber 4
As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum chamber 4 is configured to communicate with the inside of the water guide tunnel 2a and the hydraulic pipe 2b through the communication port 4a.
[0030]
The vacuum chamber 4 is configured to be attached to the hydraulic pipeline 2b so as to protrude upward from the downstream side of the water turbine 3 in the hydraulic pipeline 2b, as shown in FIG.
[0031]
As long as the vacuum chamber 4 in the present embodiment is provided in such a manner as to project upward from the downstream side of the water turbine 3 in the hydraulic pipeline 2b, the vacuum chamber 4 may have any shape or size, but at least vacuum suction It is necessary not to hinder the function of the pump 5.
[0032]
That is, as shown in the figure, the vacuum chamber 4 holds the water therein while maintaining the remaining part in a vacuum or a state close to the vacuum (here, when the water head in the vacuum state is 10.5, the water head is 10.5). Is 8.5 or more. The same applies to the following), the hydraulic pipe 2b protrudes upward from the downstream side of the water turbine 3 in the hydraulic line 2b.
[0033]
(6) Vacuum suction pump 5
As shown in FIG. 2, the vacuum suction pump 5 is configured to have a function of maintaining the remaining part in a vacuum or a state close to the vacuum while holding water inside the vacuum chamber 4.
[0034]
Specifically, the vacuum suction pump 5 is disposed at a position higher than the surface of the flowing water held inside the vacuum chamber 4 as shown in FIG. It is configured as communicating.
[0035]
(7) Drain pump 6
As shown in FIG. 2, the drainage pump 6 is disposed on the downstream side of the vacuum chamber 4 in the pipe line 2 and sucks flowing water in a downstream direction to secure a substantially vacuum area inside the vacuum chamber 4. , And the suction force can be adjusted.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the reason why the drainage pump 6 is provided in addition to the vacuum suction pump 5 is that the water level in the vacuum chamber rises excessively with only the vacuum suction pump 5. This is because it is considered that there are many cases where it becomes impossible to secure a substantially vacuum area inside the vacuum chamber 4.
[0037]
That is, according to such a drain pump 6, a situation in which water used as running water is excessively sucked is avoided, and the function exhibited by the vacuum suction pump 5 is ensured, thereby more reliably. The amount of power generation will increase.
[0038]
Next, the operation of the hydroelectric generator according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0039]
First, water used for power generation stored in the upper reservoir 1 is continuously discharged from the outlet 1a, and at the same time, the pipeline is connected to the upstream end of the water introduction tunnel 2a communicating with the upper reservoir 1 through the outlet 1a. 2 is taken in. The taken water becomes running water due to the head of the hydraulic line 2b and rotates the water wheel 3.
[0040]
At this time, since the discharge port 1a of the upper reservoir 1 is disposed at such a depth that swirl does not occur from the surface of the stored water in the upper reservoir 1, air does not enter the inside of the water guide tunnel 2a.
[0041]
In such a state, the vacuum suction pump 5 and the drainage pump 6 start their operation.
[0042]
Then, water is held inside the vacuum chamber 4, and at the same time, the remaining portion is maintained in a vacuum or a state close thereto.
[0043]
In such a state, when the water surface of the upper reservoir 1 is further pushed by the atmospheric pressure, and the water is taken into the inside of the pipeline 2 from the upstream end of the water introduction tunnel 2a through the discharge port 1a, the taken water becomes In addition to being pushed by the atmospheric pressure, the water turbine 3 is rotated at an increased speed as flowing water due to a head drop between the upstream end of the water guide tunnel 2a and the downstream end of the hydraulic line 2b.
[0044]
That is, the atmospheric pressure acts as a load on the water surface in the upper reservoir 1 by the vacuum chamber 4 and the vacuum suction pump 5, and the vacuum chamber 4 is provided downstream of the water wheel 3 in the hydraulic line 2b. Therefore, the flowing water in the pipeline 2 is not only caused by the head but also by the atmospheric pressure, the momentum is increased from the upstream end of the water guide tunnel 2a, and the water turbine 3 is rotated at an increased speed.
[0045]
As a result, in addition to the power of the water due to the head, the power of the water that increases as a result of the momentum of the flowing water is used to perform the hydroelectric power generation.
[0046]
Therefore, according to such a hydroelectric generator, not only the head secured by the conventional hydroelectric generator but also the hydraulic power is generated by the vacuum chamber 4 and the vacuum suction pump 5 so as to urge the flowing water as a large water power. As a result, it is possible to increase the power generation capacity of the hydroelectric power plant without creating new dams and tunnels. Further, such a hydroelectric generator does not require a large head difference, and thus is effective for small-scale hydroelectric generation.
[0047]
Here, regarding the function that the atmospheric pressure acts as a load on the water surface in the upper reservoir 1 by the vacuum chamber 4 and the vacuum suction pump 5, the model (head difference; H = 0.5 m, inner diameter of a pipe (suction hose)) ; Φ = 16 mm), and the following results were obtained.
That is, the flow rate was 17 liter / min when only the free fall was performed, while the flow rate was 38 liter / min when the vacuum suction pump was further loaded.
According to such experimental results, when running water in a pipeline collides with a water turbine when a vacuum suction pump is loaded, a large amount of water, which is about twice or more as compared with the power of water when only free fall, is performed. It was confirmed that it was exerting its power.
[0048]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a hydroelectric power generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the communication hole 4a is a communication pipe 4b, and a drain pump 6 is provided inside the vacuum chamber 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the vacuum chamber 4 communicates with the inside of the water guide tunnel 2a and the hydraulic line 2b through the communication pipe 4b. The drain pump 6 inside the vacuum chamber 4 communicates with the inside of the water introduction tunnel 2a and the hydraulic line 2b through the communication pipe 4c. A drain hole 7 is provided in an upper part of the drain pump 6.
The water in the vacuum chamber 4 that has flowed in from the drain hole 7 is discharged from the communication pipe 4c into the water introduction tunnel 2a and the hydraulic line 2b.
[0049]
According to the present embodiment, the water level in the vacuum chamber 4 can be kept constant by the drain pump 6 provided inside the vacuum chamber 4, so that the vacuum chamber 4 and the vacuum Since the power can be generated by the suction pump 5 and the running water can be used to generate hydropower as large water power, the power generation capacity of the hydropower station can be increased.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
According to the hydraulic power generator according to the present invention, since a vacuum suction pump for increasing the speed of the water turbine by applying a vacuum suction force to the water in the pipeline from the downstream side of the water turbine is provided, the conventional hydraulic power generation equipment is used. The amount of power generation will increase as it is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a hydroelectric power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 1B is a plan view).
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of the hydroelectric power generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of a hydroelectric power generator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Upper reservoir 1a Discharge port 2 Pipe line 2a Conveying tunnel 2b Hydraulic pipe line 3 Water wheel 4 Vacuum chamber 4a Communication port 4b, 4c Communication pipe 5 Vacuum suction pump 6 Drain pump 7 Drain hole 21 Lower reservoir

Claims (4)

In a hydroelectric generator that drives a generator by generating water by guiding water through a pipeline provided with a head difference and rotating a water turbine,
A hydraulic power generator, comprising: a vacuum suction pump that applies a vacuum suction force to water in the pipeline from a downstream side of the water turbine to rotate the water turbine at an increased speed. A vacuum chamber communicating with the inside of the pipeline is provided on the downstream side of the water turbine,
The hydraulic power generator according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum suction pump is connected to the vacuum chamber. 3. The hydraulic power generator according to claim 2, further comprising a drainage pump that drains water to secure a substantially vacuum area in the vacuum chamber downstream of the vacuum chamber. The hydraulic power generator according to claim 2, wherein a drainage pump that drains water to secure a substantially vacuum area in the vacuum chamber is provided inside the vacuum chamber.

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