My name is Rob Daisley. I am a technology student attending Thompson Rivers University(TRU) in Kamloops, British Columbia Canada. Below is an abstract as to what I am researching, its application, and the expected outcome. As well, some ideas to think about and questions that I need to answer. Have a quick read through the questions, and if you have any any answers or more questions send me an email.
Contact:
If you have a passion for mechanical technology and would like to get involved with this research send me an email at Alteredbydesign@gmail.com.
Research Status:
Currently i am working on contacting authorities and locating possible site locations
Conformation of Turbines installed within a pressurized water main
It is with exciting news that energy recovery within an existing water supply system is a technology that is being applied around the world. Fred Howe from Thompson and Howe Energy Systems Incorporated said to me through email that they have supplied equipment for over 1180 Small Hydro Systems all around the World, and have been operating six pumps as turbines since 1975. They did a lot of research in the early 1970 and developed their own computer software which allows them to convert any pump curve to a turbine output. Fred was kind enough to continue our conversation and let me know that “the pump turbines actually work better with a positive discharge pressure”. Fred explained “We have installed many Pump-Turbines on isolated (non grid) systems that have been very successful. A Pump-Turbine is designed for a fixed flow. Usually these sites have flows available that exceed the flow required for each turbine all the time. Some sites use multiple Pump-Turbines that can operate with variable flow.
Municipal Pressure Reducing Stations usually have a large variation in flow and it is not generally economical to install turbines when they cannot run 24/7 especially when they are tied to a Utility grid because the payback at only $0.085 per kilowatt hour is much too long. On Stand-A-Lone systems that offset diesel generation the value of a kilowatt hour may be as high as $0.30 to $0.40 per kilowatt hour.
Over the past 12 years we have done design proposals for many Municipal Pressure Reducing Stations throughout Canada and the USA but only a few of these have actually been built.”
Below is a description sent to me from Len Howe from Thompson and Howe Energy Systems Incorporated
Here is PRV station installed May 2010 for the District of North Vancouver with an energy recovery turbine (PAT) (pump-as-turbine).
This turbine (Francis type, double-suction) has a net delta P. of 50 PSI across it and produces approximately 23kW passing while 80 litres per second. This flow is relatively constant because the primary user is a Chlorine plant which consumes the 80lps constantly 24/7. We have installed turbines recently for Nevada City California on a sewage treatment plant out-flow, as well, a PRV turbine for Grand Junction, Colorado.
Since most of these installations are usually induction generator type, intertied to the local public utility as the only practical means of recovering the energy, it is not very profitable, since it can take months of sending emails and hoops that you have to go through to get permits to do it. Most residential PRV stations have a very wide range of daily flows, therefore it is difficult to install just one turbine which can generate efficiently. If the flow drops below what the fixed flow turbine requires then the efficiency falls off dramatically.
I am great full for this information and appreciate the efforts made by Fred Howe and Len Howe thank you very much.
Municipal Pressure Reducing Stations usually have a large variation in flow and it is not generally economical to install turbines when they cannot run 24/7 especially when they are tied to a Utility grid because the payback at only $0.085 per kilowatt hour is much too long. On Stand-A-Lone systems that offset diesel generation the value of a kilowatt hour may be as high as $0.30 to $0.40 per kilowatt hour.
Over the past 12 years we have done design proposals for many Municipal Pressure Reducing Stations throughout Canada and the USA but only a few of these have actually been built.”
Below is a description sent to me from Len Howe from Thompson and Howe Energy Systems Incorporated
Here is PRV station installed May 2010 for the District of North Vancouver with an energy recovery turbine (PAT) (pump-as-turbine).
This turbine (Francis type, double-suction) has a net delta P. of 50 PSI across it and produces approximately 23kW passing while 80 litres per second. This flow is relatively constant because the primary user is a Chlorine plant which consumes the 80lps constantly 24/7. We have installed turbines recently for Nevada City California on a sewage treatment plant out-flow, as well, a PRV turbine for Grand Junction, Colorado.
Since most of these installations are usually induction generator type, intertied to the local public utility as the only practical means of recovering the energy, it is not very profitable, since it can take months of sending emails and hoops that you have to go through to get permits to do it. Most residential PRV stations have a very wide range of daily flows, therefore it is difficult to install just one turbine which can generate efficiently. If the flow drops below what the fixed flow turbine requires then the efficiency falls off dramatically.
I am great full for this information and appreciate the efforts made by Fred Howe and Len Howe thank you very much.
Abstract outline
Water supply systems are built to supply needed water. These systems often consume power from pumping the water from a low elevation to a reservoir high above. This reservoir is used for a buffer between periods of peak demand. In order to create stability, these systems often require pressure reduction on the way back down to the delivery point. At this reduction location, energy is dissipated into heat from the large spring within the pressure reducing valve, resulting in wasted energy (see Figure 1). Has energy recovery in these water systems been ignored when building them in the past, and can electric power be generated by replacing existing pressure reducing valves with a specially designed Power Generating Pressure Reducing System (PGPRS) (see Figure 2 and 3)?
To reduce this energy consumption a number of reverse running centrifugal pumps will be used as turbines in a PGPRS; this will help recover energy from the water system without disrupting the intended use. The PGPRS will be a system incorporating an in-line design that will use a set of parallel reverse running pumps along with a smaller pressure reducing valve. With this set of components in line with the water main, a series of computer controlled switches and valves will allow the turbines to be enabled or disabled as the flow demand increases or decreases. This will result in the required pressure reduction, as well as a stable AC power source that can be directly distributed to a grid. The pump manufacturer’s data will be used to determine a practical design on a pipe line at Highland Valley Copper (HVC). Also, satellite surface imagery of the identified water main at HVC will be used and compared with the actual pipe line survey. From that model and the strategy used to create the design, a method will be created to inform technologists how to locate, size, and design the PGPRS particular to their identified water system.
A method of determining appropriate water supply systems and adaptation, as well as the feasibility of this technology will be explored, reported and documented. It is expected that this technology can be adapted to many existing water supply systems, and that the cost of the conversion could be offset by the production of clean energy.
Water Supply Systems
What are the common types of gravity fed water supply systems that require pressure reduction and where are they located?
• Potable water supply
City/municipality
• Irrigation
City/municipality, Farming,
• Industrial water supply
Mining, pulp and paper
• Waste water
Sanitary/ storm sewer/
• Potable water supply
City/municipality
Pressure reducing and Pumps As Turbines (PAT)
How do break pressure tanks work?
• Returns excess pressure within a pipe line to atmospheric pressure before transferring it on.
Where are they used?
Can a PAT be installed up stream of this type of pressure reduction?
• this seems like it could be comparable to conventional power production where the output flow is released into atmospheric pressure
How do pressure reducing valves work?
• Spring loaded valve that opens with respect to the pressure loss to the downstream pressure setting
Where are they used?
Can a PAT be installed up stream of this type of pressure reduction?
Yes it can!!!!
What is the relationship between pressure loss, flow rate, and power production?
What kind of pressure reduction is created from a PAT?
Can the input and output pressure be compared to that of a PRV?
Is there technical information on a PAT that a pump supplier can supply in-order to design a system that can be placed up stream of an identified pressure reduction location?
Pump curve data is convert to turbine performance
Who are the main manufactures of PAT?
Is PAT being applied to existing water supply systems within BC?
Yes it is!!!!!
Viability
What makes this technology viable?
Grid connection or stand alone power supply effects economic viability because to pay back on a grid connection one must rely on commodity value which can be quite low for small hydro producers.
stand alone can be viable because it is supplying the needed power not trying to sell it.
Flow variation will effect the turbines ability to produce power, in a multiple turbine application some turbines will not produce when flow is not at full capacity resulting a turbine or two not being payed for.
a single flow rate will ensure turbine performance 24/7
government polices, taxes, and lack of engagement to support small hydro may be causing this energy recovery technology to be delayed and not implemented due to costs becoming too high to be economically viable.
turbines need to be turning all times at good efficient levels in order to be viable
What is the life expectancy of the PAT components?
To reduce this energy consumption a number of reverse running centrifugal pumps will be used as turbines in a PGPRS; this will help recover energy from the water system without disrupting the intended use. The PGPRS will be a system incorporating an in-line design that will use a set of parallel reverse running pumps along with a smaller pressure reducing valve. With this set of components in line with the water main, a series of computer controlled switches and valves will allow the turbines to be enabled or disabled as the flow demand increases or decreases. This will result in the required pressure reduction, as well as a stable AC power source that can be directly distributed to a grid. The pump manufacturer’s data will be used to determine a practical design on a pipe line at Highland Valley Copper (HVC). Also, satellite surface imagery of the identified water main at HVC will be used and compared with the actual pipe line survey. From that model and the strategy used to create the design, a method will be created to inform technologists how to locate, size, and design the PGPRS particular to their identified water system.
A method of determining appropriate water supply systems and adaptation, as well as the feasibility of this technology will be explored, reported and documented. It is expected that this technology can be adapted to many existing water supply systems, and that the cost of the conversion could be offset by the production of clean energy.
Water Supply Systems
What are the common types of gravity fed water supply systems that require pressure reduction and where are they located?
• Potable water supply
City/municipality
• Irrigation
City/municipality, Farming,
• Industrial water supply
Mining, pulp and paper
• Waste water
Sanitary/ storm sewer/
• Potable water supply
City/municipality
Pressure reducing and Pumps As Turbines (PAT)
How do break pressure tanks work?
• Returns excess pressure within a pipe line to atmospheric pressure before transferring it on.
Where are they used?
Can a PAT be installed up stream of this type of pressure reduction?
• this seems like it could be comparable to conventional power production where the output flow is released into atmospheric pressure
How do pressure reducing valves work?
• Spring loaded valve that opens with respect to the pressure loss to the downstream pressure setting
Where are they used?
Can a PAT be installed up stream of this type of pressure reduction?
Yes it can!!!!
What is the relationship between pressure loss, flow rate, and power production?
What kind of pressure reduction is created from a PAT?
Can the input and output pressure be compared to that of a PRV?
Is there technical information on a PAT that a pump supplier can supply in-order to design a system that can be placed up stream of an identified pressure reduction location?
Pump curve data is convert to turbine performance
Who are the main manufactures of PAT?
Is PAT being applied to existing water supply systems within BC?
Yes it is!!!!!
Viability
What makes this technology viable?
Grid connection or stand alone power supply effects economic viability because to pay back on a grid connection one must rely on commodity value which can be quite low for small hydro producers.
stand alone can be viable because it is supplying the needed power not trying to sell it.
Flow variation will effect the turbines ability to produce power, in a multiple turbine application some turbines will not produce when flow is not at full capacity resulting a turbine or two not being payed for.
a single flow rate will ensure turbine performance 24/7
government polices, taxes, and lack of engagement to support small hydro may be causing this energy recovery technology to be delayed and not implemented due to costs becoming too high to be economically viable.
turbines need to be turning all times at good efficient levels in order to be viable
What is the life expectancy of the PAT components?
TRU Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program Proposal
A $4500 scholarship has been awarded to me for the below proposal
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Despite the ever growing need to reduce our carbon foot-print, demand for energy in Canada continues to grow. With this gap expanding, the need for sustainable technologies is evermore needed. Now, older technologies that may not have been viable in the past may now be cost effective.
I would like to propose an independent and comprehensive research report on energy recovery in a pumped water distribution system. At Highland Valley Copper (HVC), a mine near Logan Lake B.C., they use large volumes of water in their mill process. I may have identified a section of their water supply system to have a viable potential to recover energy in the form of turbine generation. Because the water is pumped to reservoir (A), a percent of the energy used in the pumping may be able to be recovered from the gravity fed portion that connects to reservoir (B).
The dedication to my studies and the ability to go beyond what’s expected, will allow me to produce an analytical, accurate, and adequately referenced report on this topic. Because I will be researching my topic from the beginning to the end independently, an unbiased result will be ensured. Fluid dynamics and turbine generation are well studied and understood in the science and technology community; I can’t wait to study it all!
• Question:
Can electric power be generated from the main mill water supply line at HVC mine, by replacing existing pressure reducing valves with a specially designed power generating pressure reducing system (PGPRS) with-out disrupting normal mill operations? If so, how much power can be produced? If not, what are the parameters restricting power generation and is this idea viable on a different water system?
• Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to produce an accurate document that explains a system and method to reduce the energy consumption of a pumped water supply system.
• Goals and Objectives:
Creating this Document will improve the many skills that I have already developed with the ARET program. My goals are to create an accurate and complete working document with a clear conclusion of the outcomes, taking into account all necessary variables, and insuring a non bias report that can be used to help with the reduction of energy in the pumped water supply systems that are found around the world.
• Related studies:
The energy that mining consumes may be justified by the economic values it brings us. Because of the wealth surrounding this industry, I feel that this industry could be a leader in the use of energy reducing technologies. The article “Use of turbines for simultaneous pressure regulation and recovery in secondary cooling water systems in deep mines” by H.J. van Antwerpen and G.P. Greyvenstein is not identical to the system that I’m attempting but does serve some of the same properties. Also, it did have a positive outcome, proving “technical feasibility”. Other energy recovery turbine projects are already under way in sewage water treatment centers.
• Plan of action:
1. Study fluid dynamics and turbine power generation.
2. Create a 3 dimensional model of the two reservoirs and pipe line using satellite surface imagery imported to AutoCAD Civil 3d.
3. Identify the variables needed for determining the amount of pressure reduction needed in the water system.
4. Identify the amount of water flow.
5. Solve equations and determine viability.
6. If viable, approach HVC independently with findings and request actual engineered data to reanalyze the water system more accurately.
7. If still viable, continue with design of the PGPRS and calculate results of the actual power that could be produced.
8. If time permitting, produce a feasibility study.
9. Produce publication-ready final report for public review.
10. Present report at necessary venues and conferences in order to distribute research.
6-8. Alternate. Determine what an ideal water supply system would be, and try to locate another water system nearby to analyze, for example the Logan Lake or Ashcroft city water reservoirs. If still no luck, then design a PGPRS on the ideal system. If time is remaining, do a feasibility study.
• Plans for Dissemination:
Currently I am working on a web blog at http://aret222daisley.blogspot.com/ to promote feedback and ideas to help me with the process of this research. I would like to present my research to the public at the 2011 CUEF conference as well as any other recommended venues.
• Contribution of the Project to my academic goals and objectives:
ARET is a study of architecture and engineering which will be the basis for my career as a technologist. This project will be directly used for graduation requirements and A.Sc.T. accreditation. The teaching of ARET Fluid Mechanics in the first semester of the third year is directly related to this project and the knowledge that I will learn from this course will be used to help with the report.
• Budget:
I would like to use this scholarship award to be used as a co-op work term over the summer of 2010. Traveling expenses and loss of a work term income would be the only extra funding that I would need in-order to complete the research. Traveling expenses would be that of fuel costs for travel to the mine or in to Kamloops to meet with my supervisors or to use the school resources. There is no house hold income at my home, so any bit of funding is extremely appreciated and will be used with much respect. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to treat this project as my job working for the Undergraduate Student Research Experience Award Program.
.jpg)
Despite the ever growing need to reduce our carbon foot-print, demand for energy in Canada continues to grow. With this gap expanding, the need for sustainable technologies is evermore needed. Now, older technologies that may not have been viable in the past may now be cost effective.
I would like to propose an independent and comprehensive research report on energy recovery in a pumped water distribution system. At Highland Valley Copper (HVC), a mine near Logan Lake B.C., they use large volumes of water in their mill process. I may have identified a section of their water supply system to have a viable potential to recover energy in the form of turbine generation. Because the water is pumped to reservoir (A), a percent of the energy used in the pumping may be able to be recovered from the gravity fed portion that connects to reservoir (B).
The dedication to my studies and the ability to go beyond what’s expected, will allow me to produce an analytical, accurate, and adequately referenced report on this topic. Because I will be researching my topic from the beginning to the end independently, an unbiased result will be ensured. Fluid dynamics and turbine generation are well studied and understood in the science and technology community; I can’t wait to study it all!
• Question:
Can electric power be generated from the main mill water supply line at HVC mine, by replacing existing pressure reducing valves with a specially designed power generating pressure reducing system (PGPRS) with-out disrupting normal mill operations? If so, how much power can be produced? If not, what are the parameters restricting power generation and is this idea viable on a different water system?
• Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to produce an accurate document that explains a system and method to reduce the energy consumption of a pumped water supply system.
• Goals and Objectives:
Creating this Document will improve the many skills that I have already developed with the ARET program. My goals are to create an accurate and complete working document with a clear conclusion of the outcomes, taking into account all necessary variables, and insuring a non bias report that can be used to help with the reduction of energy in the pumped water supply systems that are found around the world.
• Related studies:
The energy that mining consumes may be justified by the economic values it brings us. Because of the wealth surrounding this industry, I feel that this industry could be a leader in the use of energy reducing technologies. The article “Use of turbines for simultaneous pressure regulation and recovery in secondary cooling water systems in deep mines” by H.J. van Antwerpen and G.P. Greyvenstein is not identical to the system that I’m attempting but does serve some of the same properties. Also, it did have a positive outcome, proving “technical feasibility”. Other energy recovery turbine projects are already under way in sewage water treatment centers.
• Plan of action:
1. Study fluid dynamics and turbine power generation.
2. Create a 3 dimensional model of the two reservoirs and pipe line using satellite surface imagery imported to AutoCAD Civil 3d.
3. Identify the variables needed for determining the amount of pressure reduction needed in the water system.
4. Identify the amount of water flow.
5. Solve equations and determine viability.
6. If viable, approach HVC independently with findings and request actual engineered data to reanalyze the water system more accurately.
7. If still viable, continue with design of the PGPRS and calculate results of the actual power that could be produced.
8. If time permitting, produce a feasibility study.
9. Produce publication-ready final report for public review.
10. Present report at necessary venues and conferences in order to distribute research.
6-8. Alternate. Determine what an ideal water supply system would be, and try to locate another water system nearby to analyze, for example the Logan Lake or Ashcroft city water reservoirs. If still no luck, then design a PGPRS on the ideal system. If time is remaining, do a feasibility study.
• Plans for Dissemination:
Currently I am working on a web blog at http://aret222daisley.blogspot.com/ to promote feedback and ideas to help me with the process of this research. I would like to present my research to the public at the 2011 CUEF conference as well as any other recommended venues.
• Contribution of the Project to my academic goals and objectives:
ARET is a study of architecture and engineering which will be the basis for my career as a technologist. This project will be directly used for graduation requirements and A.Sc.T. accreditation. The teaching of ARET Fluid Mechanics in the first semester of the third year is directly related to this project and the knowledge that I will learn from this course will be used to help with the report.
• Budget:
I would like to use this scholarship award to be used as a co-op work term over the summer of 2010. Traveling expenses and loss of a work term income would be the only extra funding that I would need in-order to complete the research. Traveling expenses would be that of fuel costs for travel to the mine or in to Kamloops to meet with my supervisors or to use the school resources. There is no house hold income at my home, so any bit of funding is extremely appreciated and will be used with much respect. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to treat this project as my job working for the Undergraduate Student Research Experience Award Program.
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