Hydrostatic Pressure Wheel for Regulation of Open Channel Networks and for the Energy Supply of Isolated Sites

Ludovic Cassan, Guilhem Dellinger, Pascal Maussion and Nicolas Dellinger
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Ludovic Cassan: Institut de Mécanique des Fluides, Toulouse INP, Université de Toulouse, Allée du Professeur Camille Soula, 31400 Toulouse, France
Guilhem Dellinger: Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Ingénieur, de l’Informatique et de l’Imagerie (ICUBE), ENGEES, 67000 Strasbourg, France
Pascal Maussion: LAPLACE, Toulouse INP, Université de Toulouse, 2 Rue Camichel, 31071 Toulouse, France
Nicolas Dellinger: Laboratoire des Sciences de l’Ingénieur, de l’Informatique et de l’Imagerie (ICUBE), ENGEES, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: The Hydrostatic Pressure Wheel is an innovative solution to regulate flow discharges and waters heights in open channel networks. Indeed, they can maintain a water depth while producing energy for supplying sensors and a regulation system. To prove the feasibility of this solution, a complete model of water depth–discharge–rotational speed relationship has been elaborated. The latter takes into account the different energy losses present in the turbine. Experimental measurements achieved in IMFT laboratory allowed to calibrate the coefficients of head losses relevant for a large range of operating conditions. Once the model had been validated, an extrapolation to a real case showed the possibility of maintaining upstream water level but also of being able to produce sufficient energy for supplying in energy isolated sites. The solution thus makes it possible to satisfy primary energy needs while respecting the principles of frugal innovation: simplicity, robustness, reduced environmental impact.

Keywords: renewable energy; water wheel; low tech; frugal innovation; experimental model; theoretical model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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