Technology Development for Auto-Venting Turbines

March, Patrick A.; Waldrop, William R.; ,

Technology Development for Auto-Venting Turbines

by Patrick A. March, Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris, United States,
William R. Waldrop, Tennessee Valley Authority, Norris, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Quality Issues at Fossil Fuel Plants

Abstract:

Experimentation with venting air into the hydroturbines at Norris Dam has convinced the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) that this is a viable method for increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) in the discharge of hydroelectric power plants. TVA has initiated an innovative research project that ultimately will provide industry-wide technology for the design and analysis of auto-venting turbines (AVT). There are three primary goals for this research: To develop mathematical models of the flow of air/water mixtures through a turbine; To develop methods to analyze the oxygen transfer process between air bubbles and water for the purpose of enhancing the process; and To develop test procedures for interpreting results from scale models of hydroturbines with mixtures of air and water. To assist in this technology development, TVA has solicited and obtained cooperation from the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research (IIHR) at the University of Iowa, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The plans and status of the various components of this technology development program are presented.

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