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Title: Operational recovery of turbine No. 3 at Potomac Edison`s Dam No. 4 hydrogenerating facility

Abstract

The Potomac Edison Dam No. 4 hydroelectric generating station is a historic, turn of the century facility located on the Potomac River near Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The station, originally constructed in 1909, employed twin horizontal Francis hydroturbine generating systems. The systems are unique in that the turbines and generators are offset 37 feet, interconnected by rope and sheaves. In May 1989 a third vertical open flume turbine generating system was added to make use of available site capacity. Both the turbine and speed increaser were the largest products developed by their respective manufacturers for a hydro turbine-generator application. This paper will review the subsequent operational experience which led to the original speed increaser failure on unit No. 3 and replacement of the drive system including special design considerations to the replacement speed increaser and its support structure. Specific design challenges included: (1) Designing and implementing a reliable configuration. (2) Reducing operational sound levels. (3) Minimizing harmful structure-borne vibrations which were affecting the internal rotating elements. (4) Incorporating a system brake for emergency and service purposes.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Philadelphia Gear Corp., King of Prussia, PA (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
220203
Report Number(s):
CONF-9507190-
TRN: 96:000708-0285
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: Waterpower 1995: international conference, San Francisco, CA (United States), 25-28 Jul 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Waterpower`95. Volume 1-3; Cassidy, J.L. [ed.]; PB: 2869 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
13 HYDRO ENERGY; HYDRAULIC TURBINES; SPEED REGULATORS; HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS; FAILURES; REPAIR; WEST VIRGINIA

Citation Formats

Pelczar, R S. Operational recovery of turbine No. 3 at Potomac Edison`s Dam No. 4 hydrogenerating facility. United States: N. p., 1995. Web.
Pelczar, R S. Operational recovery of turbine No. 3 at Potomac Edison`s Dam No. 4 hydrogenerating facility. United States.
Pelczar, R S. 1995. "Operational recovery of turbine No. 3 at Potomac Edison`s Dam No. 4 hydrogenerating facility". United States.
@article{osti_220203,
title = {Operational recovery of turbine No. 3 at Potomac Edison`s Dam No. 4 hydrogenerating facility},
author = {Pelczar, R S},
abstractNote = {The Potomac Edison Dam No. 4 hydroelectric generating station is a historic, turn of the century facility located on the Potomac River near Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The station, originally constructed in 1909, employed twin horizontal Francis hydroturbine generating systems. The systems are unique in that the turbines and generators are offset 37 feet, interconnected by rope and sheaves. In May 1989 a third vertical open flume turbine generating system was added to make use of available site capacity. Both the turbine and speed increaser were the largest products developed by their respective manufacturers for a hydro turbine-generator application. This paper will review the subsequent operational experience which led to the original speed increaser failure on unit No. 3 and replacement of the drive system including special design considerations to the replacement speed increaser and its support structure. Specific design challenges included: (1) Designing and implementing a reliable configuration. (2) Reducing operational sound levels. (3) Minimizing harmful structure-borne vibrations which were affecting the internal rotating elements. (4) Incorporating a system brake for emergency and service purposes.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/220203}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995},
month = {Sun Dec 31 00:00:00 EST 1995}
}

Conference:
Other availability
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