Low-Head Hydropower for Energy Recovery in Wastewater Systems

Sinagra, Marco; Picone, Calogero; Picone, Paolo; Aricò, Costanza; Tucciarelli, Tullio; Ramos, Helena M.

doi:10.3390/w14101649

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Finally, a UL-PRS prototype is designed for a potential site in the main wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of the city of Palermo. The same cost/benefit analysis is applied to the selected case study for the UL-PRS and for other possible competitors [15].…”

Section: Prs Turbine Design For Ultra-low Hydraulic Headsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Control system and installation costs: these include the cost of the control system for the regulation and management of the turbine and the cost of installation. In the range of the investigated nominal electrical power (P e < 20 kW), the control system cost can be expected to be equal to 40,000 EUR [15].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Table 4, we compare the UL-PRS solution with the installation of a commercial Kaplan Turbine and cross-flow turbine (CFT), assuming two possible different O&M annual costs (2.2% and 3.0% of Ci) [19]. For the evaluation of the Kaplan and CFT solution costs, we refer to [15]. 4.9-5.5 8.5-9.8 5.5-6.2 * According to [15].…”

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confidence: 99%

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A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels

Picone

Sinagra

Gurnari

et al. 2023

Water

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In the last few decades, hydropower production has been moving toward a new paradigm of low and diffused power density production of energy with small and mini-hydro plants, which usually do not require significant water storage. In the case of nominal power lower than 20 kW and ultra-low head H (H < 5 m), Archimedes screw or Kaplan type turbines are usually chosen due to their efficiency, which is higher than 0.85. A new cross-flow type turbine called Ultra-low Power Recovery System (UL-PRS) is proposed and its geometry and design criteria are validated in a wide range of operating conditions through 2D numerical analysis computed using the ANSYS Fluent solver. The new proposed solution is much simpler than the previously mentioned competitors; its outlet flow has a horizontal direction and attains similar efficiency. The costs of the UL-PRS turbine are compared with the costs of one Kaplan and one cross-flow turbine (CFT) in the case study of the main water treatment plant of the city of Palermo in Italy. In this case, the UL-PRS efficiency is estimated using a URANS 3D numerical analysis computed with the CFX solver.

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Section: Prs Turbine Design For Ultra-low Hydraulic Headsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels

Picone

Sinagra

Gurnari

et al. 2023

Water

Self Cite

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“…Venkatesh and Brattebø (2011) [73] report that wastewater treatment requires twice as much energy (0.8 kWh per 1 m 3 ) to provide the same amount as drinking water. Sinagra et al (2022) [74] report energy requirements in the range of 0.3-2.1 kWh per cubic meter of treated wastewater. Another argument for meeting the electricity demand from own, preferably renewable sources, and optimizing its use is that electricity in WWTPs is responsible for up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions [75].…”

Section: Research Facilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of a Francis Micro Hydro Turbine Performance Installed in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

Tomczyk,

Mastalerek,

Wiatkowski

et al. 2023

Energies

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The purpose of this research work was to examine the hydroelectric potential of wastewater treatment plants by harnessing the kinetic and/or potential energy of treated wastewater for electricity generation. Such a concept encapsulates the essence of renewable energy and resonates with international sustainable development mandates and climate change adaptation strategies. The primary objective was to analyze the performance parameters of the Francis turbine, a key component of this energy generation system. An experimental analysis encompassed model tests on the Francis turbine, simulating varied flow conditions using the GUNT turbine. Additionally, historical data from the Toruń Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) 2018 annual wastewater discharge were employed to validate the findings and shed light on real-world applications. The tested efficiency of the Francis turbine peaked at 64.76%, notably below the literature-reported 80%. The turbine system’s overall efficiency was approximately 53%, juxtaposed against the theoretical value of 66.35%. With respect to the Toruń WWTP data, the turbine’s power output was highest at 24.82 kW during maximum wastewater flow, resulting in a power production of 150.29 MWh per year. The observed turbine efficiencies were consistent with the previously documented range of 30% to 96%. The turbine displayed optimal outputs during heightened flow rates and maximized production at more frequent, lower flow rates throughout the year. Implementing such turbines in wastewater treatment plants not only aligns with global renewable energy goals but also boasts lower construction costs and environmental impacts, primarily due to the utilization of existing infrastructure. Furthermore, wastewater flow consistency counters the seasonal variability seen in conventional water treatment plants. These findings pave the way for more energy-efficient design recommendations for turbines within wastewater treatment and hydropower plants.

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“…Indeed, hydraulic energy is a completely renewable resource but, unfortunately, it is limited. Over the years, especially in developed countries, the most economically favorable sites have been intensively exploited, and new applications are increasingly tailored to resources with low and very low heads [3,4]. In this context, the tubular axial turbine (TAT) assumes a fundamental role, particularly in mini and micro hydropower applications [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparative Analysis of Distributor and Rotor Single Regulation Strategies for Low Head Mini Hydraulic Turbines

Barsi,

Satta,

Ubaldi

et al. 2024

Energies

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Tubular axial turbines (TATs) play a crucial role in mini and micro hydropower setups that require simplified yet reliable solutions. In very low head scenarios, single regulation in TATs is common, due to economic impracticality of the sophisticated mechanisms involved in the conjugate distributor–rotor regulation typical of the Kaplan turbines. Distributor or rotor single regulation strategies offer operation flexibility, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Stator regulation is simpler, while rotor regulation is more complex but offers potential efficiency gains. The present paper analyzes energy losses associated with these regulation strategies using two approaches: 1D mean line turbomachinery equations and 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The 1D mean line approach is used for understanding the conceptual fluid dynamic aspects involved in the two different regulation approaches, thereby identifying the loss-generation mechanisms in off-design operation. Fully 3D CFD simulations allow for quantifying and deeply explaining the differences in the hydraulic efficiencies of the two regulation strategies. Attention is focused on the two main loss contributions: residual tangential kinetic energy at the rotor outlet and entropy generation. Rotor regulation, even if more complex, provides better results than distributor regulation in terms of both effectiveness (larger flow rate sensitivity to stagger angle variation) and turbine operating efficiency (lower off-design losses).

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Low-Head Hydropower for Energy Recovery in Wastewater Systems

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels

A New Cross-Flow Type Turbine for Ultra-Low Head in Streams and Channels

Assessment of a Francis Micro Hydro Turbine Performance Installed in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

A Comparative Analysis of Distributor and Rotor Single Regulation Strategies for Low Head Mini Hydraulic Turbines

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