Hydraulic installation and method for operating the same
OwnerRenaud Guillaume, Pierre Yves Lowys +2inventors
InventorsRenaud Guillaume, Pierre Yves Lowys, Arnaud Legrand, Philippe Girin
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to hydraulic machinery, such as hydraulic turbines. More specifically, the invention is directed to optimizing power consumption when the turbine is used in condenser mode. The present invention provides a novel hydraulic installation where the reduction of pressure in the spiral case during condenser mode operations is more efficient, limiting the power consumption if compared to state-of-the-art installations.
Claims14
A hydraulic installation, comprising:
- a hydraulic circuit comprising:
- a spiral casing defining an annular passage comprising a plurality of wicket gates distributed there along;
- a runner chamber in fluid communication with said spiral casing and located downstream of said plurality of wicket gates;
- a runner rotatable within said runner chamber;
- a draft tube arranged below said runner;
- and
- a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with said draft tube;
- a first connecting element fluidly connected to said hydraulic circuit and having an end discharging in atmosphere or, in alternative to said first connecting element, a second connecting element fluidly connected to said hydraulic circuit and having an end discharging in said draft tube, wherein said second connecting element comprises a pump;
- and
- one or more pressure sensors arranged within said spiral case for monitoring pressure within the spiral case;
- and
- at least one control unit controlling pressure in the spiral case during a condenser mode of the hydraulic circuit based on the monitored pressure.
A method for retrofitting an existing hydraulic installation, the existing hydraulic installation having a hydraulic circuit with a spiral casing defining an annular passage including a plurality of wicket gates distributed there along, a runner chamber in fluid communication with the spiral casing and located downstream of the plurality of wicket gates, a runner rotatable in the runner chamber, a draft tube arranged below the runner, a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the draft tube, the method comprising:
- connecting a first connecting element in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit, the first connecting element having an end discharging in atmosphere or connecting a second connecting element in fluid communication with the hydraulic circuit, the second connecting element having a pump;
- providing one or more pressure sensors within said spiral case to monitor pressure within the spiral case;
- and
- providing a control unit to control pressure in the spiral case during a condenser mode of the hydraulic circuit based on the monitored pressure.
A method for operating a hydraulic installation, the hydraulic installation having a hydraulic circuit with a spiral casing defining an annular passage including a plurality of wicket gates distributed there along, the plurality of wicket gates having an adjustable pitch, a runner chamber in fluid communication with the spiral casing and located downstream of the plurality of wicket gates, a runner rotatable in the runner chamber, a draft tube arranged below the runner, a source of pressurized air in fluid communication with the draft tube, a first connecting element arranged between the spiral casing and having an end discharging in atmosphere, the first connecting element having an opening/closure valve, or a second connecting element arranged between the hydraulic circuit and the draft tube, the second connecting element having a pump, the method comprising:
- measuring, via one or more pressure sensors arranged within said spiral case, pressure inside the spiral casing;
- generating a control output signal based on the pressure measurement
- adjusting a pitch of the plurality of wicket gates, controlling an opening/closure of the valve, or regulating the pump based on the control output signal so as to control pressure in the spiral case during a condenser mode of the hydraulic circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.