Case Study: Siphon Penstock Operations

by Ashok K. Rajpal, Mead & Hunt Inc, Madison, WI, USA,
Thomas M. Riley, Mead & Hunt Inc, Madison, WI, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Power '87

Abstract:

Hydroelectric power plants utilizing siphon penstocks operating near Winter, Wisconsin and at Jim Falls, Wisconsin have met or exceeded expectations after fine tuning of the vacuum and control systems. The Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) hydro project at the Chippewa Reservoir is owned by the Lac Courte Orielles Band of the Lake Superior Indians and has a maximum capacity of 3,450 KW. The Jim Falls plant, owned and operated by Northern States Power Company, has a capacity of 500 KW. Engineering services were supplied by Mead and Hunt for both projects, which were constructed at existing dams on the Chippewa River. Both dams are owned by Northern States Power. The maximum lift of the siphon at the LCO plant is just over 25 feet (7. 7 m), very near the theoretical practical limit for the site. The siphon at the Jim Falls plant has a maximum lift of nine feet (2. 8 m). A comparison of design assumptions and performances is provided for both facilities, which went on line within the past year.

Subject Headings: Power plants | Hydro power | Case studies | Conduits | Comparative studies | Pumping stations | Project management | Wisconsin | United States | Lake Superior | Great Lakes

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