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Structure and method for facilitating safe downstream passage of migrating fish around hydroelectric projects

a technology for hydroelectric projects and fish migration, which is applied in the direction of climate change adaptation, marine site engineering, construction, etc., can solve the problems of not only upstream swimming salmon but downstream migrating juvenile fish not being able to be safely accessed, the efforts to provide safe passage of juvenile fish around these hydroelectric projects have not been satisfactory, and fish injuries or deaths

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-09-04
TAPPEL PAUL
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes a way to help young fish, like salmon, pass through hydropower projects. It uses two types of intakes: deep ones that are placed upstream from the dam, and surface ones that are near the dam structure. This method helps to improve the fish's ability to pass through the dam and makes it safer for them to do so."

Problems solved by technology

As can well be appreciated, the problem of providing for safe passage, of not only the upstream swimming salmon but downstream migrating juvenile fish, is tremendous.
To date, none of the efforts to provide safe passage of the juvenile fish around these hydroelectric projects have been satisfactory.
Each season a highly significant number of juvenile fish are entrained into the turbine intakes where there are “capture water velocities” and these fish are injured or killed by the turbines or associated hydraulic forces.

Method used

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  • Structure and method for facilitating safe downstream passage of migrating fish around hydroelectric projects
  • Structure and method for facilitating safe downstream passage of migrating fish around hydroelectric projects

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Embodiment Construction

[0008]It will be understood that the hydroelectric project schematically shown in the drawing is by way of example and not limitation as a typical system and is not meant to represent any particular project. It will also be understood that the bypass system (not shown) may be any one of many known designs and normally provides a smooth surface flow path near the upstream dam face which is considered to be “conventional” and usually designed to convey 5% to 15% (more or less) of the maximum turbine flow downstream along with the safe passage of the juvenile fish. The bypass normally provides smooth acceleration of transport velocities in a downstream direction and the fish are captured by the accelerating velocities toward the safe bypass route(s). These fish end up safely discharged into the project tailrace. The details of the bypass system, while necessary for safe passage, are not a part of the present guidance system for the migrating juvenile fish.

[0009]Referring to the drawing...

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Abstract

Structure and method for safe downstream passage of juvenile fish of any species around hydroelectric dam projects using a combination of deeply submerged extended turbine intakes and surface-oriented bypass flows near the dam structure. The turbine intakes are extended upstream from the dam face.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 873,895 filed Dec. 8, 2006.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present disclosure relates to structure and method for facilitating safe downstream passage of migrating fish around run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects which include turbine structures, by utilizing natural fish instincts to avoid entrance into the turbines and which promote natural fish movement into safe bypass flows around the dam project.[0004]2. Description of the Prior Art[0005]Hydroelectric projects normally involve a large dam structure with multiple electrical generator turbines which include turbine intakes on the upstream face of the dam to channel water flow through the turbine using the “head” or water pressure from the reservoir on the upstream side of the dam. Many of these hydroelectric dam projects are located on major river systems...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E02B8/08
CPCE02B8/085Y02A40/60
Inventor TAPPEL, PAUL
Owner TAPPEL PAUL
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