Improving ventilation: Turning a penstock into a `Chimney`

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996 · Hydro Review

OSTI ID:381257

Chadwick, B ^[1]

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1. Army Corps of Engineers, Libby, MT (United States)

This article describes a ventilation method used in the repair of turbine runners at hydroelectric power plants. Welding of the runners produces considerable gases that must be removed from the area for safety reasons. While it is possible to utilize portable ventilating equipment and air packs (if required). By closing the manways to the penstock and opening the manways to the draft tube, an updraft is created which takes the gases away from personnel and out vents in the penstock. This has been used several times at Libby Dam without any need for portable ventilation or breathing equipment.

• OSTI ID: 381257
• Journal Information: Hydro Review, Journal Name: Hydro Review Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 15; ISSN HYREE8; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
HYDRAULIC TURBINES
MAINTENANCE
PENSTOCKS
TURBINE BLADES
VENTILATION