EP1717373A2 - Hydraulic power station - Google Patents

Abstract

The water power plant unit comprises a power plant supply (1) with at least one drive water channel (3) and at least one drainage water channel (5) which has an open end and a shut end shutting disc (6). There is a fluid channel (7) located in the region of the bottom of the power plant supply which has at least one exit opening (8) via which a low pressure fluid (12) is dischargeable. The fluid channel is arranged perpendicular to the flow direction and extends over the power plant supply in a direction perpendicular to the shutting disc. Several fluid channels may have different lengths, be arranged in spaced apart and run parallel to one another.

Description

The invention relates to a hydropower plant with a power plant inlet, at least one drive water channel and at least one rinse water channel and a Spülwasserkanal if necessary opening and shut-off gate valve according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method for discharging sediment material in hydropower plants, comprising a power plant inlet, at least a drive water channel and at least one flushing water channel and a flushing water channel if necessary opening and shut-off gate valve according to the preamble of claim 12th

The production of electrical energy takes place in the alpine area to a large extent by the use of hydropower. River power plants, which are equipped, for example, with Francis or Kaplan turbines, are also used in shallow terrain to convert the kinetic energy of the water via generators into electrical energy.

The water removal from the riverbed necessary for driving the turbines takes place by means of water sockets, which usually consist of a frame structure with subsequent power plant inlet for desanding. The frame construction often includes a foundation weir with lying coarse rake ("Tyrolean weir") or a vertical rake, which serve to catch gravel washed with the water masses and flotsam. Subsequently, the water enters a power plant feed leading to the drive water channel, where at a greatly reduced flow rate the remaining solids, referred to below as sediment, can settle out. These are generally solids with particle sizes greater than 0.5 mm.

The sediment depositing in the power plant inlet must be purged continuously or at regular intervals in order to maintain the functioning of the power plant inlet. If too much sediment has accumulated in the power plant inlet, a gate valve occluding a flushing water channel is usually opened and the attachment is flushed out in the direction of the flushing water channel. The basic principle of flushing is to use the natural drag voltage of the water to flush out the deposited bedding from the power plant inlet. This flushing operation is initiated either manually or by arranged in the sole of the power plant inlet pressure sensors.

The accumulation of large scale debris also carries the risk that sediment moving downwards during flushing may affect the water containment structures by clogging their operation. Furthermore, the deposited bed load can lead to a reduction of the water storage volume; one speaks of "silting".

By contrast, the river water entering the service water channel and subsequently to the turbine wheels should be as free as possible of sand and suspended matter in order to ensure a largely abrasion-free turbine operation.

In the case of flushing devices according to the general state of the art, a permanent flushing of the attachment often takes place via a constantly open flushing water channel which opens again into the riverbed. Such flushing, however, also results in more water demand, which in turn results in more bedload material, as the bed load is essentially a function of drains. Permanent flushing is further associated with high wear of the gate valve.

Experiments have shown that material with a mean grain size of 2mm <d <8mm is transported at flow rates between 1.5 to 3 m / s. It follows that equally great speeds must be achieved for flushing the gritty bedding masses, but brings with it a correspondingly large deduction of the imaginary for the turbine operation water volume with it. The turbine must always be throttled in the event of a flush, which leads to a reduction in their power capacity and losses in energy production.

Furthermore, simple interval-type overall flushings have the disadvantage that turbulence or even blockages can be brought about in the case of larger bedding masses and that the bedload volumes deposited in the bank or edge area are not or only insufficiently detected by the water flow due to the flushing. Zones with lower flow rates offer ideal conditions for the deposition of suspended matter.

From the US 4 074 535 A An excavator device is known for removing deposits formed in waterways, in particular sand and mud. For this purpose, a plurality of running at the bottom of the waterway tubes are provided, which is provided with a plurality of openings through which the water / sediment mixture is permanently extracted with a pumping station. The same tubes are provided with parallel pressure lines, which are fed by a pump with pressurized water and by means of nozzles directed at the openings of the tubes to protect those openings from clogging. A drive water channel, a flushing water channel and a gate valve or a loosening of bed load for the purpose of discharge via a flushing water channel / gate valve are in the US 4 074 535 A not revealed.

Since the effectiveness of the flushing technique is critical to the life and performance of a hydropower plant, it is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for discharging sediment material which ensures rapid and efficient flushing of the sediment deposited in the power plant feed and in which the gate valve leading to the flushing water channel is kept open only for the shortest possible time during the flushing process, otherwise it remains closed.

This object is achieved by a device having the characterizing features of claim 1. Provision of at least one fluid channel, which is suitable to transport pressurized fluids such as air or water, and having at its bottom at the bottom of the power plant inlet outlet openings, an effective and adaptable to the particular shape ratios of the system flushing of bedding can be ensured , Here, the at least one fluid channel is arranged substantially transversely to the flow direction and extends transversely across the power plant inlet in the direction of the gate valve. Through this course of fluid channels, a purposeful and direct embracing of the areas of the power plant feed that are relevant for the sediment accumulation is desired.

The loading of the fluid channel with media such as air or water causes at the designated outlet openings a jerky emergence of the medium, so as a result of this kinetic effect deposited sediment from Geschiebefang or the sole of the power plant inlet dissolved and this for removal in the leading back into the riverbed Spülwasserkanal is released.

There are arbitrary course guides and arrangements of the fluid channels possible, which can be configured entirely according to the requirements of a particular system. Their providence is possible not only in the sole area of a bed-load catching, but possibly also on weirs and gradations in any height.

With the arrangement of outlet channels having fluid channels at arbitrary locations of the water intake sediment bedding volumes deposited in the bank or edge area are detected by the flushes. Deposition-endangered zones with lower flow rates can be effectively controlled and kept free from sediment due to the inventive measures.

According to the characterizing features of claim 2, a bed load catch is provided in the area of the sole of the power plant inlet, in which the at least one fluid channel is arranged. With the establishment of a separate Geschiebefanges, usually in the form of a transverse to the flow direction of the water shoulder or gutter, a target collection point for depositing sediment is placed in the power plant inlet. By consciously providing a space where the sediment material carried by the bodies of water should concentrate, better handling and control is achieved.

According to the characterizing features of claim 3 a plurality of channels are arranged at intervals extending parallel to each other and preferably each have different lengths. By this arrangement can be taken into account the specific circumstances of a water detection system. Any width sections of the Geschiebefanges or the power plant inlet can be equipped with fluid channels and certain predisposed areas for the deposition of suspended matter may be protected from slagging by more extensive arrangement of fluid channels.

The characterizing features of claim 4, that the length of at least one fluid channel corresponds substantially to the width of the power plant inlet. This is to ensure that the entire flow width of the inlet is covered by the measures according to the invention.

According to the characterizing features of claim 5, the at least one fluid channel in the form of a tube made of polymeric material is designed to meet the requirements of elasticity and aging resistance.

Likewise, according to claim 6, it is also possible to provide the fluid channels during the foundation of a plant by pouring them expertly into the liquid concrete. A permanent embedding in the bottom of the power plant inlet offers over an external attachment the advantage of not offering a point of attack for nachdrängende bedding masses and is therefore less wear.

According to the characterizing features of claim 7, the fluid delivered under pressure to the water in the power plant inlet is air. As a universally available medium, air can be compressed into a state capable of producing the desired kinetic effect on the buildup of debris.

The characterizing features of claim 8 describe a connection of the at least one fluid channel with a compressor or a pump device. Activation of the compressor causes in the fluid channel a transport of compressed air, which at the designated outlet openings jerky emerges and as a result of this kinetic effect deposited sediment triggers the catch and releases this for removal into the leading back into the riverbed flushing water channel. The same loosening and dissolution effect on the attachment can be achieved instead of the medium air with the medium of water. To achieve the described effect is also a feed of the fluid channels with pressurized water conceivable. The necessary water pressure is built up in such case via pumps or related fluidic systems.

The features of claim 9 allow manufacturing advantages. In this case, the outlet openings are arranged at regular intervals along the at least one fluid channel. Equally possible, however, is an arbitrary arrangement of the same. Preferably, at least one outlet opening is provided in the region of the gate valve.

According to the characterizing features of claim 10, the outlet openings of the fluid channel to shut-off valves, which can be controlled by a control station. This measure allows a precise control of the outlet openings, so that for example an exact coordination of this process can be done with the opening and closing of a leading to the flushing water passage gate valve.

According to the characterizing features of claim 11, the control station is coupled to arranged in the bottom of the power plant inlet pressure sensors. If the quantum of sediment accumulation exceeds a control maximum, this is registered by weight calibrated sensors and a signal is sent to the control station. The signal that has occurred can also automatically lead to the automatic initiation of a flushing operation including opening the gate valve. This measure is the danger An overloading of the power plant inlet or Geschiebefanges counteracted with unnoticed deposits.

The characterizing features of claim 12 are directed to a method for discharging debris in a hydropower plant comprising a power plant inlet, at least one drive water channel and at least one flushing water channel and the flushing water channel on demand opening and shut-off gate valve. It is envisaged that a gaseous or liquid medium is passed under pressure from the region of the sole of a power plant inlet in the direction of the river water and blown there to loosen deposited sediment, dissolve and dissipate through the Spülwasserkanal. The impact of the medium occurring as a result of the pressure generated causes a force attack on the attachment to move it away from a location where it has been undesirably deposited. As a result, it can be discharged via the flushing water channel, which is opened via the gate valve for the duration of the flushing process. This method allows an efficient and targeted dissolution and removal of unwanted attachments in the area of the power plant inlet of a hydroelectric power plant.

By the characterizing features of claim 13, which simultaneously provides the blowing out of the medium at different positions in the power plant supply, there is the advantage of greater flexibility in terms of the solution of the bed load. Certain problem areas of the power plant inlet, which are particularly prone to bedload deposits, can be selectively controlled and controlled in this way.

An even more advanced control of the purging process is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 14, by the purging of the medium at different positions in the power plant inlet at different times in a defined time sequence takes place. In order to take even better account of the distribution of bedload material across the width of the power plant feed.

The characterizing features of claim 15 in this method describe a preferential blowing first at a position closest to the gate valve, followed by a deferred blowing at positions further away relative to the gate valve. This measure allows a continuous and controlled removal of sediment accumulation, so that turbulence and congestion on the gate valve are stopped by abruptly dissolved material masses.

According to the characterizing features of claim 16, the opening and closing of a gate valve which clears the way to the flushing water channel, coordinated in time with the blow-out. As a result, the otherwise tightly closed gate valve is opened at short notice if necessary and a blow-out initiated in places arbitrary order. As a result, the sediment deposited in the bedding catch or in the power plant inlet is released from the ground and can be carried away by the suction of the water now flowing in the direction of the flushing water channel. As soon as possible after the discharge, the gate valve is closed again. With this method, the water consumption for flushing bed load is kept as low as possible, the drive water channel is thus relatively little withdrawn for the drive drive necessary water and the time for a turbine throttling can be minimized.

Fig.1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Wasserfassungsanlage

Fig.2

eine Schnittdarstellung eines Abschnittes eines Kraftwerkszulaufes mit Geschiebefang entlang der Linie XX aus Fig.1

Fig.3

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang der Linie AA aus Fig.2

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an embodiment. Showing:

Fig.1

a schematic representation of a water detection system

Fig.2

a sectional view of a section of a power plant inlet with Geschiebefang along the line XX of Figure 1

Figure 3

a sectional view taken along the line AA of Figure 2

In Fig. 1, a plant for the collection of water from a river bed 17 is shown schematically, as it is usually established to provide water for driving turbines 14 and 15 of a hydroelectric power plant. A usually upstream defense with horizontal or vertical Grobrechen, which serve the catch of mitgespültem with the water masses gravel and flotsam, is not shown.

The water stream 10 removed from the river bed 17 subsequently passes into a power plant inlet 1, where the remaining solids, referred to below as bedding 4, can sediment at a greatly reduced flow rate. These are generally grain sizes over 0.5 mm.

In order to be able to supply as clean as possible runoff water to the drive water channel 3, which charges the turbines 14 and 15 with a water flow 18 for driving their wheels, an efficient technique for removing bedding 4 entrained with the water flow 10 acquires particular significance.

The sediment 4 depositing in the power plant inlet 1 must be flushed out at regular intervals, before an overburden of the power plant inlet 1 or solidification of the bed 4 on the ground, via a flushing water channel 5, where it flows into the river bed 17 again.

The course guidance of the flushing water channel 5 as well as that of the drive water channel 3 are shown purely by way of example and can in another embodiment also have vertical or otherwise winding sections.

Figures 2 and 3 show a detailed view of a power plant inlet 1 including Geschiebefang 2 under Providence of fluid channels 7 according to the invention with outlet openings 8, (not shown) are attached to which shut-off valve 9 and which extend in the direction of the gate valve 6. The arrows provided with reference numeral 10 in Figure 2 illustrate the flow direction of the water flow 10 in the power plant inlet 1 and subsequently to the drive water channel 3, the arrows provided with reference numeral 11 in Figure 3 show the flow direction of a branched off from the water flow 10 water flow 11 in the direction the Spülwasserkanals 5 with open gate valve. 6

The fluid channels 7 are connected to a compressor 16 or a pumping station which can be positioned at the bank edge in FIG.

Activation of the compressor 16 causes in the fluid channel 7 a transport of fluids 12, preferably compressed air or O ₂ , which jerkily emerge at the designated outlet openings 8 and so loosen sediment 4 from Geschiebefang 2 and this for removal in the back into the riverbed 17th release the leading flushing water channel 5. Instead of using the medium of air, the use of water is also possible, which is likewise pressurized via suitable devices such as pumps and transported into the fluid channels 7.

In this case, a plurality of fluid channels 7 are arranged at intervals to one another, which preferably have different lengths (see Figure 1). By this arrangement, the respective circumstances of a water detection system are met. For example, any width sections of the Geschiebefanges 2 and the power plant inlet 1 can be equipped with fluid channels 7 and certain vulnerable to the deposition of suspended matter areas can be protected by slurries arrangement of fluid channels 7.

The user, however, any course guides and arrangements of the fluid channels 7 are possible and also Providence of the measures according to the invention in the power plant inlet 1 upstream further filter rooms or for slag and algae removal in the drive water channel 3 may be useful under certain circumstances and use.

The provision of fluid channels 7 is possible not only in the region of a sole 13 of the Geschiebefanges 2, but possibly also on vertical gradations or weir-like elevations at other points of the power plant inlet. 1

The fluid channels 7 according to the invention can be designed both as plastic hoses or other external devices which are attached to the sole 13 of the power plant inlet 1, but provision is also possible during the foundation of the plant in that the fluid channels 7 are poured professionally into the liquid concrete become. The latter variant offers the advantage of reduced abrasion.

The shut-off valves 9 can be selectively activated via a control station (not shown). During a rinsing process, the shut-off valves 9 closest to the gate valve 6 are now preferably opened, followed by a time-delayed opening of the shut-off valves 9 which are located further relative to the gate valve 6 in order to open the gate To be able to better control the process of sediment transfer. The opening and closing of the gate valve 6, which clears the way to the flushing water channel 5, coordinated in time with the operation of the shut-off valves 9 in order to minimize the opening time for the water flow 11 largely.

Another measure, not shown, to better regulate the flushing process is the arrangement of pressure sensors 19 in the sole 13 of the power plant inlet 1. In case of exceeding a permissible bed weight, a signal to a control station or directly to the shut-off valves 9 and the gate valve 6 is sent and a Rinsing process can be initiated.

Instead of pressure sensors 19, the detection of a maximum allowable quantum quantity can also be done via devices that locate quantities of material by sound localization.

Claims (16)

Hydroelectric power plant with a power plant inlet (1), at least one drive water channel (3) and at least one flushing water channel (5) and a shut - off valve (6) which opens and closes the flushing water channel (5) when needed, characterized in that in the region of the sole (13) of the Power plant inlet (1) at least one fluid channel (7) is provided which is provided with at least one outlet opening (8) through which a pressurized fluid (12) can be discharged and the at least one fluid channel (7) arranged substantially transversely to the flow direction is and extends across the power plant inlet (1) in the direction of the gate valve (6). Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fluid channel (7) in the region of a power plant inlet (1) arranged Geschiebefangs (2) are arranged. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that a plurality of fluid channels (7) are arranged at intervals parallel to one another and preferably each have different lengths. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the length of at least one fluid channel (7) corresponds substantially to the width of the power plant inlet (1). Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one fluid channel (7) is designed in the form of a tube of polymeric material. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one fluid channel (7) is part of the concreted sole (13) of the power plant inlet (1). Hydroelectric power plant according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fluid (12) delivered under pressure to the water in the power station inlet is air. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the at least one fluid channel (7) with a compressor (16) or a pump device (16) is connected. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outlet openings (8) are arranged at regular intervals along the at least one fluid channel (7) and preferably at least one outlet opening in the region of the gate valve (6) is provided. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outlet openings (8) shut-off valves (9), which can be controlled by a control station. Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the region of the sole (13) of the power plant inlet (1) pressure sensors (19) are provided for measuring the sedimentation pressure, preferably in dependence on the sedimentation pressure, a control of the shut-off valves. A method for discharging debris (4) in a hydropower plant comprising a power plant inlet (1), at least one drive water channel (3) and at least one flushing water channel (5) and a shut-off valve (6) which opens and closes the flushing water channel (5) if necessary, characterized in that a gaseous or liquid medium is blown out under pressure from the region of the sole (13) of the power station inlet (1) to the river water or into the bed covering the sole (13) of the power station inlet (1) and the bedding thus loosened (4) is discharged via the flushing water channel (5). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the blowing out of the medium at different positions in the power plant inlet (1) takes place simultaneously. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the blowing out of the medium at different positions in the power plant inlet (1) takes place at different times in a defined time sequence. A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the blowing first takes place at a position close to the gate valve (6), followed by a time-delayed blowing at positions further away relative to the gate valve (6). Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the opening and closing of the Gate valve (6) takes place in time dependence on the blow-out.

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