Hydraulic installation and method for operating the same
AssigneeALSTOM Renewable Technologies
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.
Claims15
A hydraulic installation comprising:
- a hydraulic circuit comprising:
- a spiral casing which defines an annular passage including a plurality of wicket gates distributed there along;
- a runner chamber in fluid communication with said spiral casing (2) and located downstream of said wicket gates;
- a runner rotatable in said runner chamber;
- a draft tube arranged below said runner;
- a source of pressurised 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.
A method for retrofitting an existing hydraulic installation, the hydraulic installation comprising:
- a hydraulic circuit comprising:
- a spiral casing which defines an annular passage including a plurality of wicket gates distributed there along;
- a runner chamber in fluid communication with said spiral casing and located downstream of said wicket gates;
- a runner rotatable in said runner chamber;
- a draft tube arranged below said runner;
- a source of pressurised air in fluid communication with said draft tube;
- the method comprising the step of providing a first connecting element fluidly connected to said hydraulic circuit, said first connecting element having an end discharging in atmosphere or providing a second connecting element fluidly connected to said hydraulic circuit, said second connecting element comprising a pump.
A method for operating a hydraulic installation, the hydraulic installation comprising:
- a hydraulic circuit comprising:
- a spiral casing which defines an annular passage including a plurality of wicket gates distributed there along, the wicket gates having an adjustable pitch;
- a runner chamber in fluid communication with said spiral casing and located downstream of said wicket gates;
- a runner rotatable in said runner chamber;
- a draft tube arranged below said runner;
- a source of pressurised air in fluid communication with said draft tube;
- wherein the hydraulic installation comprises:
- a first connecting element arranged between said spiral casing and having an end discharging in atmosphere, said second duct comprising an opening/closure valve;
- or
- a second connecting element arranged between said hydraulic circuit and said draft tube, said second connecting element comprising a pump;
- wherein said method comprises the step of measuring the pressure inside said spiral casing and elaborate a control output signal, based on said pressure measurement, directed to adjust the pitch of said wicket gates or to control the opening/closure of said valve or to regulate said pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.