On the utilization of the ram principle for economic power generation at low-velocity, high-volume hydropower sites

Conference · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)

OSTI ID:6992155

Zucker, O; Long, J

Currently, high-volume, low-head dam sites are of limited utility for power generation because the size of low-head turbines makes them economically impractical. We propose a method by which conventional high-pressure turbines can be used at a low-head dam site by employing the ram principle. The basic task is to convert the high-volume, low-velocity system to a lower-volume, high-velocity system. Such a transformation is regularly performed by the conventional ''gear box'' or electrical transformer. The hydraulic analog of the gear box exists too, but involves complex designs with the very moving parts we are trying to avoid. This paper discusses a hydraulic analog of a technique commonly used in pulsed power machines to achieve such a transformation with negligible moving parts. Specifically, a variation of the hydraulic ram will be discussed to show that the capital cost of such an approach is quite favorable. In addition, comparison of dam construction and area utilization will also be covered. It is further shown that several low-head power generating systems of this design are more economical than one equivalent high-head system.

• Research Organization: Physics International Company San Leandro, California
• OSTI ID: 6992155
• Report Number(s): CONF-801210-
• Journal Information: Alternative Energy Sources; (United States), Vol. 4; Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
PUMPS
TURBINES
CAPITALIZED COST
DESIGN
DAMS
GEARS
HYDRAULICS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER
POWER GENERATION
RETROFITTING
COST
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID MECHANICS
MACHINE PARTS
MACHINERY
MECHANICS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
TURBOMACHINERY
130300* - Hydro Energy- Plant Design & Operation