Hydroelectric Power Generation
Posted in Hydraulics |
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The electrical power obtained from conversion of potential and kinetic energy of water is called Hydroelectric power
PE=WZ
where
PE= potential energy
W =total weight of the water
Z =vertical distance water can fall
Power is the rate at which energy is produced or utilized:
1 horsepower (hp) =550 ft lb/s
1 kilowatt (kW) = 738 ft lb/s
1 hp= 0.746 kW
1 kW =1.341 hp
Power obtained from water flow may be computed from
hp=? Qwh/550= ?Qh/8.8
kW=? Qwh/738= ? Qh/11.8
where
kW= kilowatt
hp= horsepower
Q= flow rate, ft3/s (m3/s)
w =unit weight of water 62.4 lb/ft3 (998.4
kg/m3)
h = effective head total elevation difference minus line losses due to friction and turbu- lence, ft (m)
?= efficiency of turbine and generator
