The story of STREAM value

The technical and functional explanation of Ultra Low Head hydro power system STREAM

2013

Seabell International Co., Ltd.

Categorization of small hydro power generation

General overview of small hydro power system

(1)The definition of small hydro power system

Small hydro power system in new and renewable energy is usually defined as less than 1000kW, but an universal standard definition does not exist. Generally, 1,000 to 10,000kW is small hydro, 1,000 to 100kW is mini hydro, less than 100kW is micro hydro. Output of less than 1 kW is pico hydro. (collectively small hydro power or micro hydro power is used.)
Two generating methods of small hydro power small hydro power system can be broadly categorized into two systems bypass method and open canal method. Its important to know the difference between the two methods.

Bypass method
Generating electricity by constructing bypass pipe only for the purpose of hydro power generation from the river, canal or reservoir and the generator installed bottom of the head drop.
intake weir screen

Open canal method

Generating electricity by installing generator in existing canal and use its head drop or slope without penstock.

screen

generator

by-pass pipe head drop generator quantity of water intake is stable head drop doesnt change no harm to river and canal by using by-pass pipe need screen those requirements are needed for installation. So the installation sites are limited and the cost of civil work is expensive.

head drop(slope)

quantity of water intake is not stable head drop, water level, and velocity are changed existing river and canal is not for the purpose of generating power. So, hydro power system must not harm its function. the shape and function of hydro power system should requires security of canal function and correspond water volume variation, head drop variation and dust.

Bypass method
Generating electricity by constructing bypass pipe only for the purpose of hydro power generation from the river, canal or reservoir and the generator installed bottom of the head drop.
intake weir screen

Open canal method

Generating electricity by installing generator in existing canal and use its head drop or slope without penstock.

screen

generator

by-pass pipe head drop generator quantity of water intake is stable head drop doesnt change no harm to river and canal by using by-pass pipe need screen those requirements are needed for installation. So the installation sites are limited and the cost of civil work is expensive.

head drop(slope)

quantity of water intake is not stable head drop, water level, and velocity are changed existing river and canal is not for the purpose of generating power. So, hydro power system must not harm its function. the shape and function of hydro power system should requires security of canal function and correspond water volume variation, head drop variation and dust.

(2)General category of turbine impulse water turbinehead drop 10-200m this is the wheel to generate electricity by using the waterjet from the nozzle to spin the wheel. Pelton wheel cross flow wheel turgo impulse wheel

reaction water turbinehead drop 2-100m this is the wheel to generate electricity by using water pressure from the penstock impinging on the blade of wheel and rotate it. fransis wheel propeller wheelkaplan wheel tubular wheel undershot water wheel

gravity water wheelhead drop110m this is the wheel to generate electricity by the water weight in the water pan to rotate turbine. overshot water wheel spiral water wheel

General applying map for small hydro generation vs stream

Optimum range of conventional type

Guide book for micro hydro generation(2003) by NEDO

Untapped water-power resources research by NEF

Optimum range of conventional type

2 m head

2 m head

Optimum range for stream

basically, conventional hydro power generation systems require 10 to 200 m head drop for its practical function. And generally, it generates more than 100 kW for its costeffectiveness.

1 STREAM is a combination of four technologies

STREAM can provide high efficiency and adaptability based on four technologies.
why STREAM can generate power at the ultra low head open canal?
general misunderstanding Conventional hydro power generation system that utilize high head drop is totally different from hydro power generation system for open canal such as agricultural canal are totally different in technologies, functions, and system. Those are categorized in same system and theory, but actually its features and functions are not the same.

Four technologies of STREAM for generating electricity in open canal

hydraulics-----the shape of turbines/fluid technology) utilization of water-----adaptive technology of features, functions, and facilities of canal operation-----technology for change of streamflow and site condition and trash manufacturing-----cost reduction and easy maintenance by standardadization

1-1 The hydraulics

the shape of turbines/fluid technology
Caution! before the exposition of stream turbine It is said that the turbine for hydro power system is similar to that of wind turbine. But actually, characteristics of wind energy and hydro energy is different. Both are kinetic energy. However water is noncompressed body and it can be converted into potential energy. Meanwhile, wind doesnt have any concept of potential energy and it does not possess viscosity with relatively low friction. There are three types of turbines, impact type, reaction type, and gravity type, each turbine having its own application range. Especially in low head environment, effective head is important.

STREAM turbine;
converts maximum energy at the center of water flow in canal into generating energy by the dual axis cross flow turbines. incorporates both impact type and reaction type, structure with reservoir, orifice hole, and vertically placed numbers to achieve high generating efficiency. function include guiding vanes adjacent to the runners enabling adjustment of water intake and effective head. has dual axis structure which is more compact than single axis structure of the same output.(60-70% dimension) Dual axis enables variation including using only one runner thus optimizing output based on current intake level.

1-1 hydraulics
canal Control gate
Fixed guide Dual axis cross flow

Impact/reaction

Maximum energy

Pressurized intake

centralized

Free discharge
Maximum energy working point Maximum length point from center of axis

Bell mouth shape

Orifice hole

Guide vane

Water movement

Flowing water
canal

Pressured
control gate

Decreased speed-up
Bell mouth

Open/ discharge
Orifice

Impact/ reaction
(blade/rotation energy

Wide open
open/diffusion

1-1 hydraulics
STREAM
Control gate Control water level by guide vane STREAM Original effective head

Operating effective head Original water flow

Quick discharge

Stable flow of water

Undershot Water WheelCross flow turbine

diffused

Diffused effective head Maximum effective head

1-1 hydraulics
Rainy Season
Actual effective head

Orifice full open

Water volume Q
H Water volume Q orifice velocity V m/sec

Guide vane: full open

It can keep same effective head level in any season by controlling guide vane.
Dry season
Actual effective head

Control orifice hole

Water volume Q2 H Water volume Q

orifice velocity V m/sec

Guide vane: controlled

1-1 hydraulics
Dual axis has advantages in turbine diameter and size of housing compared to single axis even if the water volume for operating(=orifice area * orifice velocity) is same. Also, it can change orifice area by controlling guide vane.

Same orifice area Same orifice area Same water volume

Same water volume

Length of housing L

Canal width

Length of housing L2

Efficient and Compact Structure

Cross flow turbine STREAM vertical single cross flow turbine

Same orifice area

Same orifice area

Same orifice area

10

2 utilization of water
adaptive technology of features, functions, and facilities of canal

caution before the exposition of stream turbine the major function of open canal is streaming. Producing power in the canal has a possibility to disturb its function. This is the important point to produce power in the canal. Generating power in the canal means it will take the energy of stream. So, generating power in the canal requires a hydro power generating system which can maintain canal functions and use limited resources.

STREAM turbine has, the feature and functions which can maintain the canal function and optimize allowance ability of canal. It can control water volume and upstreams water level by the guide vane. Also, the control gate at upstream can control water level and overflow the water when its rainy season. STREAM is the hydro power generation system which can adjust itself in each different canal condition to generate power.

11

2-1 utilization of water

STREAM power generation at very low head
A limited water level80% water level Effective head water level in rainy season original water level B limited water level80% water level original water level in rainy season Water condition after installation Water condition before installation Rainy season Original

water level after installation

Cross-section of canal water condition after STREAM installation

No change in water condition will happen after STREAM installation at very low head.
Before installation
limited water level water level in rainy season original water level (irrigation season) original water level (non irrigation season)

After installation
limited water level water level in rainy season original water level (irrigation season) original water level (non irrigation season)

No change in canal function

12

2-2 utilization of water

STREAM power generation with no head drop(= water flow)
A point the height of sidewall limited water level80% water level water level in rainy season water level of reservoir Effective head allowance height B point

Rainy season Original water level(irrigation season) Original water level(non irrigation season) Water condition after installation Water condition before installation

B point A point Limited water level sidewall Limited water level Rainy season allowance height Irrigation season Non irrigation season Bed level allowance height Rainy season Irrigation season Non irrigation season Bed level sidewall

13

3 operation
3 Technology for corresponding streamflow change, conditioned change and trash in the canal
caution before the exposition of stream turbine The agricultural canal and drainage canal is not for the purpose of generating electricity. The streamflow in the canal can be changed in every season and there are lots of trash. Even if the conventional hydro power system has high efficiency, if it doesnt correspond to the streamflow change or trash problem, its not better solution To generate electricity in the canal. If they installed attached structure such as intake gate or dust eliminator, the maintenance cost will be increased and its operational condition will be worse. As a result of those attached structure, its too difficult to reach annual energy production.

STREAM has dual axis structure which can go through flotage such as trash and fallen leaves to the down stream and that can save maintenance cost and increase operational rate. General hydro power system such as propeller type, overshot water wheel, cross-flow turbine has difficulty to correspond to external factors such as trash. So they require attached structure and it increases cost. STREAM has a sector form gate to control water level and water volume by itself. So, it can correspond to 30 to 100% streamflow change between irrigation period and non-irrigation period.

14

3-1 operation

Feature of dual axis turbine for trash

Half-turn

flotage

Blade looks toward upstream

Blade looks toward downstream

Propeller type trash will entangle in each blade

15

3-2 operation

Feature of dual axis turbine for trash

STREAM

Strong discharge power

Like a pitching machine, both turbines rotate and scrape out trash and other obstacle.

Single Turbine
Weak discharge power

Guide vane

16

3-3 operation

Both sides fixed bearings for foreign matters and mudguard for bearing
Gear Bearing

Additional strength medium plate

trash, sand, branch

mudguard

Bearing

mudguard
Additional strength medium plate

mudguard Its easy to prevent small trash and sand to enter into under-bearing.

17

3-4 operation
Wide range of operation by dual axis turbines and guide vane.

100%

70%

50%

Both axis operation 100% open

Both axis operation 70% open

Single axis operation 50% open

30%

Discharge from control gate

Single axis operation 30% open

Both axis stop for maintenance

18

4 manufacturing

cost reduction and easy maintenance by standardization

caution before the exposition of stream turbine conventional hydro power generation system requires ancillary works or civil works such as penstock, water intake facilities, dust removal device, and foundation work. Thats why all system are custom-made at each site and usually those ancillary works or civil works cost are more expensive than machine cost.

STREAM turbine achieve cost reduction by standardization of each model and use general parts. can adjust itself in various canal condition by the fixed guide and control gate with rise and fall system and different water condition by guide vane. can be installed in a few days after setting up fixed guide such as 2 or 3 days for installing control gate, turbines, control panel, and power distribution work and 1 day for commissioning. can stop passing water through itself by the guide vane and maintain itself easily. For part replacement or periodic replacement, its easy to maintain out of water by using rise and fall system. Also, its easy to replace the location.

19

4-1 manufacturing
Cost reduction by minimum number of parts and general parts
Turbine, gear, generator
Generalized generator Body: steel(galvanizing) Generalized gear

Generalized bearing

Turbine: SUS304

Generalized bearing

Control Panel

STREAM is the unitized system by using minimum parts and general parts and it can be installed in different type of location.

20

4-2 manufacturing
Cost reduction by standardization

Standardization of size and shape Canal width Canal width

Standardization of size and shape

Its not custom-made. All models are all in one unit and standardized by output. So, its possible to install it in various canal condition. 21

4-3 manufacturing
Requires a few days for installation
sidewall

Anchor bolt Fixed guide

Body

Control gate (removable)

fixed guide control gate body Each part is unitized and easy to install. No civil work required. 2 or 3 days required from installation to commissioning.

22

4-4 manufacturing
Easy maintenance, local repair and parts replacement
Easy maintenance in canal
Lift up Easy repair at the site.

Easy repair

Stop the passing water through the machine by closing the guide vane.

Cleaning and maintenance is possible after stop the operation.

Its possible to remove or replace STREAM in an emergency.

Discharge water from the control gate

The water level will be the original level after remove STREAM.

23

5 Wildlife Animal Protection

Preventing wildlife animals such as fish from entering into system is important socially as well as for power efficiency.