Underwater Shaft Hydropower Screen Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydropower plants face challenges such as high construction costs, ecological concerns, and inefficiencies due to complex structural requirements, particularly in locations with low head heights and silted-up weir systems, which hinder the expansion of hydropower generation in Germany and other regions.
Innovation Solution
A hydroelectric power plant design featuring a shaft power plant with a horizontal inlet level, incorporating a rake cleaning device with a scraper and drive system entirely below water level, and a compact, underwater turbine and electrical machine unit, allowing for efficient energy conversion and reduced environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional hydropower plant technology is used, then existing structures can be utilized, but construction costs are high and ecological requirements create lengthy permitting processes
Solution Approach 1:
The hydropower plant is divided into modular components: a separate intake structure with screen, a vertical shaft containing the turbine, and a discharge structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies construction, reducing overall complexity and cost while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional horizontal intake arrangement, the patent inverts the approach by using a vertical shaft with the turbine axis oriented vertically. The water flows vertically through the shaft, reversing the traditional horizontal flow pattern and enabling more compact, cost-effective construction with reduced environmental impact.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ramp structures are used to maintain groundwater level, then ecological requirements are met, but construction costs increase and hydraulic efficiency during floods deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The function of maintaining groundwater level is extracted from the main hydropower structure and implemented separately through controlled discharge openings in the dam foundation. This separates the ecological function from the power generation function, allowing each to be optimized independently and avoiding the need for expensive ramp structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The dam foundation is designed with variable opening areas that can be adjusted based on hydraulic conditions. During normal operation, openings maintain groundwater levels for ecological benefits. During floods, the openings can be closed or reduced to maximize hydraulic efficiency and power generation, adapting the system to different operational requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the intake is lowered to accommodate shallow flow depths, then water can be drawn from the river, but technical, operational, and economic disadvantages occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal intake approach to a vertical shaft configuration. The vertical dimension allows the intake to access water at the river surface level while the shaft extends downward to accommodate the turbine. This dimensional change eliminates the need to lower the intake structure, maintaining operational simplicity and economic efficiency.
4Productivity
If larger hydropower plants are constructed to meet energy targets, then electricity generation increases, but environmental associations criticize the approach
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical shaft design serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the power generation turbine housing, provides fish passage through the shaft interior, enables sediment flushing during floods, and maintains groundwater levels for ecological benefits. This multi-functionality allows smaller plants to achieve the same environmental and energy goals as larger conventional plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft structure performs its own functions as well as the power generation function. The vertical shaft provides fish passage channels, facilitates sediment removal through flood flushing, and maintains groundwater levels through controlled discharge. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate environmental mitigation structures, reducing overall environmental impact while meeting energy targets.
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
This design enhances economic efficiency, reduces maintenance costs, and minimizes ecological harm by maintaining low flow velocities and providing safe fish passage, while enabling cost-effective hydropower generation in challenging locations.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine and an electrical machine, wherein the unit is arranged completely underwater in the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a trash rack cleaning device with a scraper and a drive for the rack and/or the scraper
Implementation Method 3
The hydraulic pump can preferably also be arranged below the upstream water level, integrated into or attached to the shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a screen arrangement (79) for a hydroelectric power plant, comprising a screen (21) to be arranged upstream of a turbine (16), at the top (10) of a vertical shaft (7), said top (10) of the shaft forming an inlet plane (11) that extends below the level (3) of the upstream water (2). The screen arrangement (79) further comprises a screen cleaning device (22) that includes a scraper (80) and a drive unit for the screen (21) and/or the scraper (80). The screen (21) and the screen cleaning device are designed to be arranged entirely below the level (3) of the upstream water (2).