Lucid Energy Inc. In-Conduit Hydropower. Final Research Performance Progress Report
- Lucid Energy Inc., Portland, OR (United States)
- Utah State Univ., Logan, UT (United States)
With the goal of commercializing the LucidPipe Power System (LucidPipe) in late 2012, Lucid Energy performed much research and testing of turbines, particularly focusing on understanding and mitigating cavitation and improving performance, as well as to improve data acquisition, monitoring and control of the LucidPipe system. Lucid Energy developed a 24” version of the LucidPipe to complement the 42” system, which had been the primary focus up to that point. Lucid Energy replaced the prototype system in Riverside, California with a new system that included a bypass pipe in order to provide year-round access to the turbine, as well as replacing the temporary “trench box” in which it formerly resided with a poured concrete vault. This system was commissioned in January 2012 and has been operational since that time. This new system was the first LucidPipe version to utilize fiberglass composite blades with an improved blade profile and bolted end connections. Using the accelerated test methodology developed by the Fracture Mechanics and Materials Durability Laboratory at the University of Illinois, Lucid Energy evaluated various composite blade materials and coatings in order to select a material with optimum resistance to cavitation. Various other components have been designed, and Lucid Energy has worked with several suppliers to improve the capabilities of purchased components such as seals, bearings and mechanical brakes. These improvements were primarily to increase the robustness of the LucidPipe systems for use in commercial applications. Lucid Energy performed testing on series inline turbines at the Utah Water Research Laboratory Page 36 of 44 in order to evaluate the performance implications of installing LucidPipe systems consisting of multiple inline turbines in commercial applications. Lucid Energy is currently planning to install a commercial four-turbine, 42” system in Portland, Oregon in the first quarter of 2013 and a three-turbine 24” system at San Antonio Water System in San Antonio, Texas in the second quarter of 2013.
- Research Organization:
- Lucid Energy Inc., Portland, OR (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0003562
- OSTI ID:
- 1062389
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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