| Author | Message | ||
     Reid C. Unregistered guest |
I am 13 years old. I found a design for a mini-hydroelectric turbine that runs on a continuous water supply. I would like to make it run on a fixed amount of water. I thought the vacuum and pressure pump in chapter 6 might make enough pressure to keep the turbine moving quickly. My question is: would it be possible, using gears and bands attached to the turbine, to power the vacuum pump so that it could work without me pumping the water, and would the turbine still be able to produce electricity? Or is this like trying to create perpetual motion? I am doing this for my science project, so I could use a hand operated pump, but I thought it would be cool to try to get it to run on its own without using electricity or by hand. Could you please offer any suggestions? Thank you. P.S. I'd like to thank Mr. Quellen, again, for his helpful advice on my film can cannon experiment. I was able to prove Newton's 1st law with it last year. I came in second place at the county science fair, and I also was awarded a brand new computer! THANKS! | ||
| Marat Orazov (Marat_o) Junior Member Username: Marat_o Post Number: 7 Registered: 6-2005 |
it is possible for you to make the pump operate from the energy produced by the turbine, but you will have to constantly add energy into the system for it to keep running, and you won't be able to make excess electricity just by leting the system run. Quote: "My question is: would it be possible, using gears and bands attached to the turbine, to power the vacuum pump so that it could work without me pumping the water, and would the turbine still be able to produce electricity? Or is this like trying to create perpetual motion?" This idea is even more crazy than perpetual motion, because with perpetual motion one just needs enough energy to keep the system in motion, here you want additional energy?  | ||
| Simon Quellen Field (Sfield) Senior Member Username: Sfield Post Number: 579 Registered: 12-2004 |
Yes, the pump should be able to pump the water fast enough to keep the turbine spinning. However, the turbine will not come close to producing enough power to pump the water back up to the top, which confirms your suspicion. Since the point of the project is to design an electric power system that converts the energy in falling water into electricity, it should not confuse anyone if you have an electric pump moving the water from a bottom bucket up to the top bucket. People understand that there is water running downhill in many places, and that you are planning on using that energy, not on pumping the water yourself. | ||
| ken murray (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 24.151.201.192 |
I live on a 55 acre lake that is fed by two small creeks.When the lake was constructed there was an overflow pipe installed by the dam.The lake is around 15-18 feet deep.There is also a spillway in case of heavy rain.I amcurious if I could mount a turbine or something on the end of the overflow pipe,which I believe is 12" and be able to produce electricity.Water always flows through this overflow.I don't know how to figure or estimate the gph or have an idea who I could check with to calculate this.I am interested more in regular electricity than having battery packs.Could this be something that could be cost effective or is it something I would never see a return?Thanks!Sorry I can't give you more info!Been too long since school! Ken Murray,stumpy_1958@hotmail.com,931-808-1155 | ||
| Simon Quellen Field (Sfield) Senior Member Username: Sfield Post Number: 1791 Registered: 12-2004 |
To estimate gallons per hour, put a 5 gallon bucket under the pipe and time how long it takes to fill. Google for "micro hydro" to find more information. What you will need besides gallons per hour is the distance the water falls. This is called the "head", and determines the pressure. Pressure times volume per hour is energy. | ||
| aaa (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 24.175.249.120 |
hay i have a sicence fair coming up in school and i was thinking of doing a small hydroelctric generator but i cant find any good plans any were, anybody know where to get some? | ||
| Simon Quellen Field (Sfield) Senior Member Username: Sfield Post Number: 1809 Registered: 12-2004 |
"http://www.re-energy.ca/t-i_waterbuild-1.shtml" But you can also just use a small DC motor as a generator. Add a paddle-wheel or a propeller, and you're all set. | ||
| RS (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 89.240.46.58 |
Hey, I've had a look over http://www.re-energy.ca/t-i_waterbuild-1.shtml and the plans there do look good. From that sort of high-level set up, how would I be able to store any electricity generated? I've been looking around but haven't found loads - any ideas welcome! RS | ||
| Fred Musonda (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 196.12.12.65 |
Thanks for this opportunity, lam in desparate need of a hydro electric power generator - which can generate 33kv.A second hand would be l deal for now, please assist with information on where to obtain one. I am mostly interested in how much it can cost, together with the other important appendages like the turbines etc. Your quick and favourable will be greatly appreciated. | ||
| marx (Vdg) Member Username: Vdg Post Number: 15 Registered: 4-2008 |
Use a step up transformer and some batteries? | ||
| Sari (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 117.97.131.64 |
My name is Sari, i am also interested in making such a hydro electric Generator for a School demonstration purpose. Have any one got a Practical design? Pls place a link Thank you | ||
| Will (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 96.241.12.100 |
Likewise Sari |
