Sediment Transfer Control in Hydropower Connection Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sediment transfer methods in hydroelectric power plants can cause erosion damage to plant components due to abrasive wear, particularly at the outlet of the water body.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves collecting sediment from a reservoir, forming a sediment-water mixture, and introducing it into the connecting pipe of a hydroelectric power plant, while monitoring and controlling the sediment concentration to ensure it does not exceed a predefined maximum permissible amount based on the plant's operating mode and sediment properties, thereby minimizing erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sediment is transferred to the discharge device or into the discharge device of the body of water itself, then sediment removal is effective, but erosion damage to hydroelectric power plant parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful sediment from the water body and transports it away from the hydroelectric power plant discharge device, rather than introducing it into the discharge device. This prevents direct contact between sediment and sensitive plant components, eliminating erosion damage while maintaining sediment removal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary transport system (conveyance device) between the sediment source and the water body outlet. This intermediary allows sediment to be moved through a controlled pathway that bypasses the hydroelectric power plant discharge device, preventing direct interaction and associated erosion.
2Productivity
If sediment concentration is increased to improve transfer efficiency, then productivity increases, but erosion damage worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter of sediment concentration by implementing a maximum permissible concentration limit. This parameter control ensures that sediment is transported at efficient concentrations without exceeding levels that would cause damaging abrasive wear to hydroelectric power plant components.
3Productivity
If sediment is introduced into the connecting pipe, then sediment can be removed from the reservoir, but erosion damage to plant components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sediment transport pathway into distinct sections: a collection zone in the reservoir, a controlled transport section through the connecting pipe with monitored concentration, and a discharge section away from the hydroelectric power plant. This segmentation allows efficient sediment removal while protecting sensitive plant components by separating the transport function from the discharge location.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Minimizes erosion damage to hydroelectric power plant components by optimizing sediment introduction, allowing for effective sediment removal and predictive maintenance planning.
Implementation Method 1
Sediment is drawn from the bottom of the water body via a suction line
Implementation Method 2
a pressure line for transferring the collected sediment
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for transferring sediment in a body of water (1). The body of water is equipped with a discharge element (3) which is connected to a hydroelectric power station (2) by means of a connection line (6) such that water can flow through the connection line, and a device (4) for providing a sediment-water mixture can introduce a sediment-water mixture into the connection line. The device comprises means for monitoring the sediment concentration in the provided sediment-water mixture, and a controller (5) is connected to the device such that the controller can control the quantity of sediment contained in the provided sediment-water mixture. The method has the following steps: receiving sediment; transferring sediment to the device for providing a sediment-water mixture; and introducing the sediment-water mixture into the connection line; wherein the controller actuates the device such that the sediment quantity that is introduced per interval of time does not exceed a specified maximally permissible quantity, said maximally permissible sediment quantity being based on the current operating mode of the hydroelectric power station.