Electronics > Power/Renewable Energy/EV's

Is hydro a practical possibility here?

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Mechanical Menace:
I have a pond fed by a small brook at the top of my garden, the outlet is piped to the bottom of the garden about 5 meters below the bottom of the pond. The minimum flow rate is 20L/s (roughly 43cfm) and is often an order of magnitude greater. Is this enough to get a usable amount of power from? If so has anyone got any suggestions for suitable turbines?

Thanks

HAL-42b:
Power = Head x Flow x Gravity

5m x 20L/sec x 9.81 = 981 W

Or something around 580 W with 60% efficiency.

mtdoc:
There is a nice calculator on the Powerspout website that will let you get good estimate of the potential for your site. In addition to head and flow, you need to take into account frictional losses in the pipe run which depend on pipe diameter and length.

Even though gravity is obviously the source of potential energy here, it's force (9.8 N/kg) is not part of the equation.

BTW - Powerspout makes very nice microhydro turbines that will work with your site.

Mechanical Menace:

--- Quote from: HAL-42b on February 08, 2016, 06:12:29 pm ---Power = Head x Flow x Gravity

5m x 20L/sec x 9.81 = 981 W

Or something around 580 W with 60% efficiency.

--- End quote ---

Thanks, that's what I worked out too but it just felt more than a bit high for such trickle lol.

But now I can hit Google with a bit more confidence to try and find suitable turbines and their reviews.

EDIT:


--- Quote from: mtdoc on February 08, 2016, 06:20:33 pm ---There is a nice calculator on the Powerspout website that will let you get good estimate of the potential for your site. In addition to head and flow, you need to take into account frictional losses in the pipe run which depend on pipe diameter and length.
--- End quote ---

I'd most probably use new pipe for this, maybe even just a heavy duty hose depending on how things work out and keep the existing setup for dealing with overflow. I have checked if I am allowed to do this and as long as I don't majorly disrupt the flow to downstream, or start introducing nasty chemicals, I can do whatever I want between where the water enters and leaves my property.


--- Quote ---BTW - Powerspout makes very nice microhydro turbines that will work with your site.

--- End quote ---

Thanks!  Just having a decent recommendation will give me moire of an idea of what to look for.

mtdoc:

--- Quote from: Mechanical Menace on February 08, 2016, 06:27:55 pm ---
I'd most probably use new pipe for this, maybe even just a heavy duty hose depending on how things work out and keep the existing setup for dealing with overflow. I have checked if I am allowed to do this and as long as I don't majorly disrupt the flow to downstream, or start introducing nasty chemicals, I can do whatever I want between where the water enters and leaves my property.
--- End quote ---

I think there is some slight difference in frictional losses depending on the pipe material but the major factors are pipe diameter and length.



--- Quote ---Thanks!  Just having a decent recommendation will give me moire of an idea of what to look for.

--- End quote ---

I would go with Powerspout if I were you. I have one of their Pelton turbines that I'm hoping to install this summer. You can find Youtube videos of Powerspout installations. They are a Kiwi company.

Harris Hydro here in the states and  Energy Systems and Design in Canada also make well regarded microhydro turbines.

Also - their is a fairly active Yahoo microhydro group with good info and advice available.

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