A device and method for extracting energy from a flow of water

Abstract

Conventional hydropower plants require significant hydrostatic head to produce sufficient power. As such, there is a need for efficient hydropower plants that may be utilised in sites having a low hyd

Description

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for extracting energy from a flow of water, and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in extracting energy from a site having a low hydrostatic head. Conventional hydropower plants that use Francis, Kaplan, or Bulb turbines, for example, require significant hydrostatic head to produce sufficient power. The hydrostatic head is the water level difference between a reservoir upstream of a hydropower plant, and the reservoir downstream of the plant. The power generated by a hydropower plant is directly proportional to its hydrostatic head. Typically, dams have a head of at least 5m. This may be significantly more in large installations. The construction of dams at least 5m high, and associated civil works, is expensive and may involve extreme environmental costs. Furthermore, in the UK at least, dams have already been built in most sites capable of accommodating large dams. For sites where the available head is less than 5m, the use of smaller conventional hydropower plants results in low efficiency due to the Reynolds effect, and may also have negative environmental impacts due to low dissolved oxygen levels, and the obstruction of fish passage. As such, there is a need for efficient hydropower plants that may be utilised in sites having a low hydrostatic head and a low flow rate. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a plant for extracting energy from a flow of water, the plant comprising: a turbine chamber comprising a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet; a turbine disposed within the turbine chamber, the turbine comprising a rotatable turbine shaft and a plurality of blades extending therefrom; a venturi tube comprising a venturi inlet, a venturi outlet, and a neck having a diameter less than the diameters of the venturi inlet and venturi outlet; and a suction aperture located within a side of the neck of the venturi tube; wherein, the turbine outlet is connected to the suction aperture. In this way, the plant may be used in a site on a river having a low hydrostatic head (for example, less than Im), because the hydrostatic head is artificially increased by the suction effect of the water flowing from the turbine outlet to the suction aperture. The plant may also be used in a site having a low flow rate of water (for example, less than 1.5 cubic meters per second). This is because the descending flow of water within the internal chamber increases the flow rate, and this flow rate is increased further by the suction effect of the flow of water from the turbine outlet to the suction aperture. The plant may therefore have a greater or equal power efficiency than a conventional hydropower plant, without the need for a site having a significant hydrostatic head. To produce the same amount of power, the artificial increase in head may also allow for a smaller plant to be used compared to a conventional hydropower plant. In this way, less construction may be required, resulting in lower carbon emissions, and a smaller turbine inlet may obstruct fewer fish passing the plant. As such, the environmental impact of the plant may be reduced compared to a conventional hydropower plant. Furthermore, the turbine may enable an increase in oxygen saturation, which provides a benefit to the local wildlife and vegetation. The turbine inlet may comprise a channel having an open top. Alternatively, the turbine inlet may comprise a closed channel, for example a pipe. The cross-section of the turbine inlet, in a plane extending transversely across the turbine inlet, may be, for example, square, rectangular, or circular. A grill or mesh may extend across the turbine inlet to prevent the ingress of fish, or other wildlife. A duct may extend between the suction aperture and the turbine outlet. In this way, within a flow of water, the venturi tube may be placed in a location other than directly adjacent to the turbine outlet. This may enable the venturi tube to make use of areas of higher flow within the flow of water. The duct may be substantially flexible to make installation easier. Alternatively, the suction aperture and the turbine outlet may be directly connected to the turbine outlet. Furthermore, the suction aperture may be the turbine outlet. The turbine chamber may comprise a circular peripheral wall. The turbine inlet may be located on an upper section of the peripheral wall. The turbine outlet may be located on a lower section of the peripheral wall. The rotatable turbine shaft may extend vertically through the centre point of the circular peripheral wall. The turbine chamber may comprise a base, wherein the peripheral extends substantially upwards from the base. The turbine outlet may alternatively be located within the base of the turbine chamber. The turbine outlet may be concentrically aligned with the turbine shaft’s axis of rotation. The turbine and turbine chamber may form a ‘gravitational water vortex hydropower system’. As such, the circular peripheral wall may define a volume through which the rotational turbine shaft may extend vertically. The blades of the turbine shaft may extend from the turbine shaft towards the circular peripheral wall. The blades may extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the turbine shaft. Alternatively, the blades may not extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the turbine shaft, but may extend from the surface of the turbine shaft parallel to a radial of the turbine shaft. The blades may be substantially linear in their extension from the turbine shaft towards the peripheral wall. Alternatively, the blades may be curved in their extension from the turbine shaft towards the peripheral wall. The blades may be curved such that they are attached to the shaft at a first point and a second point. The second point may be located on a different radial to the first point. The second may be located further down the shaft than the first point. In this way, the blades may be C-shape, and comprise a twist from one end to the other. The blades may be any turbine blades configured for use with a turbine for extracting energy from a flow of water. In use, the turbine chamber may be configured to receive a flow of water through the turbine inlet in the upper section of its circular peripheral wall, direct the flow of water around the curvature of the inside of the circular peripheral wall, and discharge the flow of water from the turbine inlet located in the lower section of the circular peripheral wall. The flow of water being directed around the curvature of the inside of the circular peripheral wall may provide a rotational flow component to the flow of water. The effect of gravity may provide a vertical component to the flow of water. The net result of the rotational component and vertical component may produce a helical water vortex within the turbine chamber. This water vortex may cause the turbine shaft to rotate. A given volume of water may enter the turbine chamber via the turbine inlet in the upper section of the circular peripheral wall, follow a helical path within the turbine chamber to the lower section of the circular peripheral wall, and exit the turbine chamber via the turbine outlet. The given volume of water within the turbine chamber may interact with at least one blade of the turbine shaft. In this way, the movement of the given volume of water through the turbine chamber may provide an angular force to the at least one blade to rotate turbine shaft. The rotation of the turbine shaft may be used to extract energy from the rotational flow of water. The circular peripheral wall of the turbine chamber may define a concave shape having an open top. In this way, the diameter of the upper section of the peripheral wall may be greater than the diameter of the lower section of the peripheral wall. The opening of the concave shape may be adjacent to the upper section of the peripheral wall. The turbine outlet may be located at the centre point of the concave shape, which in use may be the lowest point of the turbine chamber. As such, as the given volume of water moves helically down the turbine chamber from the turbine inlet to the turbine outlet, it may be forced closer to the axis of rotation due to the reducing diameter of the turbine chamber. To conserve angular momentum, the velocity of the given volume of water may increase, thereby increasing the rotational speed of the turbine shaft. The increased rotational speed of the turbine shaft may increase the amount of energy extracted from the flow of water within the internal chamber. In use, the turbine inlet and turbine outlet may be configured to be submerged in a flow of water such that the turbine outlet may be located at a depth greater than the depth of the turbine inlet. In use, the turbine may be configured to receive a descending flow of water within the turbine chamber, from the turbine inlet to the turbine outlet, to rotate the turbine shaft and generate power. In use, the venturi tube may be configured to be submerged in the flow of water such that the venturi inlet may be located at a depth substantially equal to or greater than the depth of the turbine outlet. In use, the venturi tube may be configured to receive the flow of water from the venturi inlet to the venturi outlet, and the neck of the venturi may be configured to cause a low static pressure in the flow of water at the suction aperture to induce a flow of water from the turbine outlet to the suction aperture, such that the flow rate of the flow of water through the turbine may be increased. In this way, the turbine inlet may be located adjacent to the surface of the flow of water, and the venturi inlet may be located at a substantially greater depth, relative to the surface. By having the venturi inlet deeper than the turbine outlet, the suction effect may not be reduced by the need to overcome gravity. The turbine inlet may extend tangentially from the circular peripheral wall. In this way, the flow of water may be encouraged to form a vortex within the chamber, producing a high rotational flow rate of the water. This rotational flow rate may be increased further by the suction effect of the flow of water from the turbine outlet to the suction aperture. The turbine inlet may comprise a channel extending along the tangent. The channel may promote a laminar flow of water entering the turbine chamber. As such, losses caused by a turbulent flow entering the turbine chamber may be reduced. The channel may comprise an open top. Alternatively, the channel may be enclosed. The channel may be substantially horizontal. Alternatively, the channel may be inclined from a point above the turbine chamber, downwards towards the circular peripheral wall. In this way, the channel may act a ramp to increase the speed of the flow of water. The plant may comprise a plurality of venturi tubes. In this way, the suction effect may be further increased. The plant may comprise a plurality of turbines. In this way, the amount of extracted energy may be increased. The turbine inlet may be independent of the venturi inlet. In use, the turbine inlet may be spatially offset from the venturi inlet. In this way, the turbine inlet and the venturi inlet may not be the same, and may not be arranged concentrically. They may therefore be placed in separate locations in a river. The turbine inlet may be placed in an optimal position in the flow of water that will provide the largest natural hydrostatic head, and the venturi inlet may be placed in an optimal position for receiving the largest flow rate of water. This is because flow rates and velocities may vary across a river, depending on underwater features and proximity to river walls / banks. The venturi tube and the turbine inlet may be located within the flow of water, but the circular peripheral wall and turbine shaft of the turbine may be located out of the flow of water, for example on a river bank. In this way, the impact to fish is reduced because they may pass through the venturi tube without harm, but are not blocked by a turbine submerged in the flow. In this way, the plant may also be modular and easily configurable to different sites, depending on the physical features / layout of the site. The diameter of the venturi inlet may be substantially greater than the diameter of the turbine inlet. In this way, the greater flow rate through the venturi tube may create a greater suction affect at the suction aperture. The plant may comprise a sluice gate. The turbine may be arranged within the sluice gate. In this way, the otherwise wasted potential energy of the water being withheld from flowing by the sluice gate may be harvested. As an alternative to the sluice gate, the plant may use the depth of a river (i.e., the distance from the surface of the river to the bed of the river) to provide a physical hydrostatic head between the turbine inlet and the turbine outlet, and supplement this hydrostatic head artificially by using the venturi tube to induce a flow of water from the turbine outlet to the suction aperture. As such, the plant may alternatively be used in a site on a river having a low hydrostatic head (for example, less than Im), because the physical hydrostatic head is created from the depth of the river itself. In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of extracting energy from a flow of water, the method comprising the steps of: providing the plant of any preceding claim; Submerging the plant within a flow of water; enabling water to flow through the turbine inlet, into the turbine chamber, and out of the turbine outlet; enabling water to flow through the venturi inlet, through the neck, and out of the venturi outlet, such that the velocity of the flow of water through the neck increases, and the static pressure of the flow of water in the neck decreases; inducing an increased flow of water from the turbine outlet to the neck as a result of the low static pressure at the neck; enabling rotation of the turbine shaft in reaction to the flow of water through the turbine chamber; and exacting energy from the rotation of the turbine shaft. The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a plant for extracting energy from a flow of water. Figure 2 is a plan view of a gravitational water vortex hydropower system. Figure 3 is an elevational view of a side of a gravitational water vortex hydropower system. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a Venturi-enhanced gravitation water vortex hydropower system. The present invention will be described with respect to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. Each drawing may not include all of the features of the invention and therefore should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention. Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Likewise, method steps described or claimed in a particular sequence may be understood to operate in a different sequence. Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that operation is capable in other orientations than described or illustrated herein. It is to be noticed that the term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B. Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or aspect is included in at least one embodiment or aspect of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or aspect, but may refer to different embodiments or aspects. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics of any one embodiment or aspect of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner with any other particular feature, structure or characteristic of another embodiment or aspect of the invention, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments or aspects. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Moreover, the description of any individual drawing or aspect should not necessarily be considered to be an embodiment of the invention. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form yet further embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. In the discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of said values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of said parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of said alternatives, is itself preferred to said less preferred value and also to each value lying between said less preferred value and said intermediate value. The use of the term “at least one” may mean only one in certain circumstances. The use of the term “any” may mean “all” and / or “each” in certain circumstances. The principles of the invention will now be described by a detailed description of at least one drawing relating to exemplary features. It is clear that other arrangements can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the underlying concept or technical teaching, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims. Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a plant for extracting energy from a flow of water, including a turbine 1 having a turbine inlet 3 and a turbine outlet 5. The turbine inlet 3 is arranged within the left side of the turbine 1. However, it is contemplated that the turbine inlet 3 may be arranged on the top of the turbine 1, or within another side of the turbine 1. The turbine outlet 5 is located within the bottom of the turbine 1. However, it is contemplated that turbine outlet 5 may be located within a side of the turbine 1. A rotatable turbine shaft (not shown) extends vertically through the turbine 1. It will be appreciated that the turbine may be any turbine configured to extract energy from a flow of water, provided the turbine comprises an inlet, outlet, and rotatable shaft. A turbine inlet duct 7 extends from the turbine inlet 3, in a horizontal direction away from the turbine 1. It is contemplated that the turbine inlet duct 7 may be inclined from a point above the turbine 1 towards the turbine 1. A turbine outlet duct 9 extends vertically down from the turbine outlet 5. It is contemplated that the turbine outlet duct 9 may extend downwards at angle offset from the vertical axis. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the turbine outlet duct 9 may not be linear, and may instead comprise at least one bend. In use, a flow of water XI may enter the turbine 1 via the turbine inlet duct 7 and turbine inlet 3. The flow XI may produce a vortex within the turbine 1, the vortex having a generally downward helical path (not shown). The vortex may interact with the turbine shaft (not shown), causing the turbine shaft to rotate. The rotation of the turbine shaft may be connected to a generator (not shown), or other means of converting and storing energy. The flow of water may then exit the turbine 1 through the turbine outlet 5 and turbine outlet duct 9, as shown by X2. A venturi tube 11 is located below the turbine 1. The venturi tube 11 comprises a venturi inlet 13, a venturi outlet 15, and a venturi neck 17. The venturi inlet 13, venturi outlet 15, and venturi neck 17 extend along a shared longitudinal axis arranged horizontally, in use. The venturi neck 17 is arranged between the venturi inlet 13 and venturi outlet 15. The venturi neck 17 comprises a narrower diameter than the venturi inlet 13 and the venturi outlet 15. The diameter of the venturi inlet 13 is equal to the diameter of the venturi outlet 15. A suction aperture 19 is located within the side of the venturi neck 17. In this way, the suction aperture 19 faces in a direction perpendicular to the shared longitudinal axis of the venturi tube 11. The suction aperture 19 is connected to the other end of the turbine outlet duct 9 to the turbine outlet 5. In use, a flow of water Yl may enter the venturi tube 11 via the venturi inlet 13. The flow of water Yl may be distinct and separate from XI. The flow of water Yl may accelerate as it enters the venturi neck 17, due to the narrower diameter of the venturi neck 17 providing a restriction. An accelerated flow of water Y2 may then flow through the venturi neck 17, wherein the flow of water Y2 may have a greater velocity than the flow of water Yl. The greater velocity of Y2 may result in a lower static pressure within the venturi neck 17, compared to the static pressure within the venturi inlet 13. In particular, a lower static pressure may be present adjacent to the suction aperture 19, in use. In this way, the lower static pressure adjacent to the suction aperture 19 may induce a suction effect within the turbine outlet duct 9. This suction effect may act to draw water from the turbine outlet 5, towards the suction aperture 19. In this way, the suction may increase the flow of water X2 exiting the turbine 1. In use, the increase in the flow of water X2 may increase the rotational velocity of the turbine shaft, thereby enabling a greater amount of energy to be extracted. In use, the combination of the flow of water X2 and the flow of water Y2, shown as the flow of water XY, may finally exit the venturi tube 11 via the venturi outlet 15. Due to the widening of the venturi tube 11 from the venturi neck 17 to the venturi outlet 15, the velocity, and thus pressure, of the flow XY is returned to substantially that of the flow of water Yl (i.e., the flow of water as it enters the venturi tube 11). In this way, a high velocity jet of water may not be released from the plant. Figure 2 is a plan view of a ‘gravitational water vortex hydropower system’. A turbine 100 is shown comprising a circular peripheral wall 121, a turbine inlet 103, and a turbine inlet duct 107. The turbine inlet duct 107 extends tangentially from the circular peripheral wall 121, wherein the turbine inlet 103 is located at the point where in the turbine inlet duct 107 connects with the circular peripheral wall 121. A turbine shaft 123 is shown extending into the page through the centre point of the circular peripheral wall 121. In this way, the longitudinal axis of the turbine shaft 123 is the axis extending out of the page. A turbine outlet 105 is arranged concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the turbine shaft 123. Blades 125 extend outwards from the turbine shaft 123. Each blade 125 is shown to extend from the turbine shaft 123 at two separate points. Each connection point of the blades 125 to the turbine shaft 123 is located on a separate radial of the turbine shaft 123. In this way, the blades may be curved relative to the turbine shaft 123. In use, a flow of water Fl may enter the turbine 100 substantially linearly, and be encouraged by the circular peripheral wall 121 to follow a rotation flow upon entry into the turbine 100. Figure 3 is an elevational view of a side of a ‘gravitational water vortex hydropower system’ of Figure 2. The turbine inlet 103 is located at an upper section of the circular peripheral wall 121 (i.e., towards the top of the page), and the turbine outlet 107 is located towards a lower section of the circular peripheral wall 121 (i.e., towards the bottom of the page). The circular peripheral wall 121 is substantially conical, such that the larger diameter is located at the upper section, and the smaller diameter is located at the lower section. As is shown, the circular peripheral wall 121 tapers from the upper section to the lower section. The blades 125 are shown to connect to turbine shaft 123 at different locates along the length of the shaft 123. Whilst not shown, the blades 125 may ‘twisf between the two connection points. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a Venturi-enhanced gravitation water vortex hydropower system incorporating features present in figures 1 to 3. The inlet duct 107 is shown, and often would be, substantially horizontal, but alternatively may be inclined by up to 20 degrees (or sometimes more) to encourage a flow of water into the conical bowl formed by circular peripheral wall 121. Water flowing in via the inlet duct 107 then swirls around the inside of the bowl and exits through the outlet (not shown) at a base thereof. The swirling motion of the water drives blades 125 of the turbine about its shaft 123. Rotational motion of the shaft 123 can then be used to drive systems (such as electrical power systems) in a conventional manner. The water exiting the bowl through the outlet passes into the duct 9, then though the suction aperture 19 into the venturi neck, before being carried by the flow through 5 the venturi tube to the venturi outlet 15. Flow of water into the venturi inlet 13 is accelerated through the venturi neck 17, effectively sucking the water from the bowl through the duct 9, thereby artificially increasing the effective head of water used to rotate the shaft 123.

Claims

1. A gravitational water vortex hydropower plant for extracting energy from a flow of water, the gravitational water vortex hydropower plant comprising:5 a turbine chamber comprising a turbine inlet duct and a turbine outlet;a turbine disposed within the turbine chamber, the turbine comprising a rotatable turbine shaft and a plurality of blades extending therefrom;a venturi tube comprising a venturi inlet, a venturi outlet, and a neck having a diameter less than the diameters of the venturi inlet and venturi outlet, wherein10 the venturi tube is substantially horizontal, in use; anda suction aperture located within a side of the neck of the venturi tube;wherein, the turbine outlet is connected to the suction aperture via a duct extending between the turbine outlet and the suction aperture.15 2. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of claim 1, wherein the turbinechamber comprises a circular peripheral wall, the turbine inlet is located on an upper section of the peripheral wall, the turbine outlet is located on a lower section of the peripheral wall, and the rotatable turbine shaft extends vertically through the centre point of the circular peripheral wall.

203. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of either of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in use:the turbine inlet and turbine outlet are configured to be submerged in a flow of water such that the turbine outlet is located at a depth greater than the depth of the 25 turbine inlet, the turbine being configured to receive a descending flow of waterwithin the turbine chamber, from the turbine inlet to the turbine outlet, to rotate the turbine shaft and generate power;the venturi tube is configured to be submerged in the flow of water such that the venturi inlet is located at a depth substantially equal to or greater than the depth of 30 the turbine outlet;the venturi tube is configured to receive the flow of water from the venturi inlet to the venturi outlet, and the neck of the venturi is configured to cause a low static pressure in the flow of water at the suction aperture to induce a flow of water fromthe turbine outlet to the suction aperture, such that the flow rate of the flow of water through the turbine is increased.

4. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of claim 2, wherein the turbineinlet extends tangentially from the circular peripheral wall.

5. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of any preceding claim, wherein the gravitational water vortex hydropower plant comprises a plurality of venturi tubes.

106. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of any preceding claim, whereinthe turbine inlet is independent of the venturi inlet, and in use the turbine inlet is spatially offset from the venturi inlet.15 7. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of any preceding claim, whereinthe diameter of the venturi inlet is substantially greater than the diameter of the turbine inlet.

8. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of any preceding claim, wherein 20 the gravitational water vortex hydropower plant comprises a sluice gate.

9. The gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of claim 8, wherein the turbine is arranged within the sluice gate.25 10. A method of extracting energy from a flow of water, the method comprising thesteps of:providing the gravitational water vortex hydropower plant of any preceding claim; submerging the gravitational water vortex hydropower plant within a flow of water; enabling water to flow through the turbine inlet, into the turbine chamber, and out30of the turbine outlet;enabling water to flow through the venturi inlet, through the neck, and out of the venturi outlet, such that the velocity of the flow of water through the neck increases, and the static pressure of the flow of water in the neck decreases;inducing an increased flow of water from the turbine outlet to the neck as a result of the low static pressure at the neck;enabling rotation of the turbine shaft in reaction to the flow of water through the turbine chamber; and5 exacting energy from the rotation of the turbine shaft.05 11 25

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