Generating renewable power from water hammer pressure surges

A. Roberts, B. Thomas, P. Sewell and E. Hoare

Renewable Energy, 2019, vol. 134, issue C, 1392-1399

Abstract: Since the 18th century, hydraulic ram pumps have harnessed the water hammer effect to move water in a renewable and sustainable manner. This article demonstrates that, by substituting the pressurised water delivery system for an energy conversion mechanism, the operating principles behind hydraulic rams can also be adopted for the purposes of providing renewable energy. An experimental study involving a small scale model device driving a piston-crank mechanism is presented to demonstrate the concept. The peak mechanical efficiency of the test rig was found to be 25.7%, with the time-averaged efficiency varying from 0.3 to 1.7%.

Keywords: Hydraulic ram pump; Pico hydropower; Pump as turbine; Surge tank; Water hammer; Water hammer energy system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:134:y:2019:i:c:p:1392-1399

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.09.006

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