Deflector Plate Turbine Aeration?Case Studies

Miller, David E.; Sheppard, Andrew R.; Widener, David W.; ,

Deflector Plate Turbine Aeration?Case Studies

by David E. Miller, Alabama Power Co, Birmingham, AL, USA,
Andrew R. Sheppard, Alabama Power Co, Birmingham, AL, USA,
David W. Widener, Alabama Power Co, Birmingham, AL, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '91: A New View of Hydro Resources

Abstract:

Water quality requirements have become a focal point in recent re-licensing of hydroelectric projects. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has significantly increased the relevance of license conditions to insure that turbine discharges meet state or other specific criteria for dissolved oxygen (D.O.). Due to naturally occurring depletion of D.O. at increased depths in large reservoirs, water withdrawn from this strata may result in unacceptably low levels of D.O. Different researchers have evaluated various methods of improving D.O. content in hydro turbine discharges, including; diffusers, weirs, oxygen injection, and variations of turbine venting. The authors describe an approach called 'deflector plate' turbine aeration. This computer based, engineered approach allows systems to be evaluated, designed, and installed with predictable performance and costs. Many experts in this field now agree that, to the extent practical, turbine venting offers the most dependable, maintenance free, and cost effective solution to the low D.O. problem. The approach presented in this paper has resulted in proven results.

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