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

Abstract

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.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Physics International Company San Leandro, California
OSTI Identifier:
6992155
Report Number(s):
CONF-801210-
Journal ID: CODEN: ALESD
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 4; Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

Zucker, O, and Long, J. On the utilization of the ram principle for economic power generation at low-velocity, high-volume hydropower sites. United States: N. p., 1980. Web.
Zucker, O, & Long, J. On the utilization of the ram principle for economic power generation at low-velocity, high-volume hydropower sites. United States.
Zucker, O, and Long, J. 1980. "On the utilization of the ram principle for economic power generation at low-velocity, high-volume hydropower sites". United States.
@article{osti_6992155,
title = {On the utilization of the ram principle for economic power generation at low-velocity, high-volume hydropower sites},
author = {Zucker, O and Long, J},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6992155}, journal = {Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 4,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}

Conference:
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