MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Syllabus for Module 4

Hydroelectric plants: Advantages & disadvantages of water power, Hydrographs and flow
duration curves-numericals, Storage and pondage, General layout of hydel power plants-
components such as Penstock, surge tanks, spill way and draft tube and their applications,
pumped storage plants, Detailed classification of hydroelectric plants, water hammer.
Ocean Thermal Energy: Ocean thermal energy conversion, Principle and working of Rankine
cycle, Problems associated with OTEC.

QUESTION FROM PREVIOUS YEAR VTU QUESTION PAPERS

Note
• The number of marks for a particular question is being indicated in the bracket
• Number of Brackets will tell us about the number of time it has been repeated.

1. Classify hydroelectric power plants [4m][4m][4m]

2. State the important factors to be considered while selecting the site for the hydro-
electric power plant [5m][5m]
3. List and explain briefly the essential elements of a hydroelectric power plant [6m]
4. Explain the working of hydroelectric power plant with neat sketch /Draw a general
layout of hydel power plant .[4m][12m]
5. Differentiate between
● Pondage and storage
● Base load and peak load plants

Explain the following terms realted to hydro electric power plant

● Penstock [2m]
● Surge tank[2m][4m][functions of surge tank]
● Draft tube [2m]
● water hammer [3m]
● Run off [2m]
● Hydrograph [2m]
● Flow duration curve [2m]
● Mass Curve [2m]
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
6. What is a splip way ?why are spillway required? Whar are the different types of spillway
[10m]
7. What is a surge tank ? What are its functions ? list out the types of surge tanks used in
hydroelectric power plant .[6m]
8. Explain with neat sketch any three different types of surge tank[6m]
9. Define hydrograph and unit hydrograph ? Explain its Importance in the design of storage
of hydro electric power project . what are the limitations to the use of u it hydrograph ? [6m][8m]
10. With a neat sketch explain the pumped storage plant [10m][5m]
11. Name the different hydro thermal convective system and explain any one system with a
neat sketch [10m]
12. Problems On drawing the hydrograph [10m]dec / [10m] jan2016 / [10m] dec 2010/Dec
2012 [9m]/june 2012[10m]/ june 2013[10m]/ june 2010 [10m] / jan 2014[10m] / jan
2015[10m]/ june 2016[10m]

INTRODUCTION

The development of the hydroelectric power plant plays an very important role in the development
of country. The power generated by the water is cheapest as it is perpetual source of energy.
Hydro electric generation plants help for irrigation and flood control in addition to power
generation. Nearly 30 % of the total power of the world is generated using hydro plants.
In hydroelectric power plants the energy of water is utilized to drive the turbine which, in turn,
runs the generator to produce electricity. Rain falling on the earth’s surface has potential energy
relative to the oceans towards which it flows. This energy is converted in to shaft work where it
falls through an appreciable vertical distance.

The theoretical power available from falling water can be calculated using the formula

P= gQH (1)

Where, P = Hydraulic power in watts,

g = 9.81 m/s2
 = Density of water, (1000 kg / m3 )
Q = Flow discharge , m3/s
H = Height in meter.

The electrical energy produced in KWh can be written in the form of

W = 1000 x 9.81 x Q x H x  x t
= 9.81 x Q x H x  x t KWh (2)

Where  is the efficiency of turbine generator assembly and t is the time in hours.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
From equation 1 and 2 we can observe that the generating capacity of the hydroelectric power
plant is dependent on the quantity of the water and potential head available at that particular site.
If the head available is high then quantity of water required for the power generation is less where
as when head availability is low then quantity of water to be required for per watt of power
generation is high . The head availability depends on the topography of the dam . The quantity of
the water available depends on the rainfall and runoff of the catchment area of the dam.

Advantages:
1) Operating cost of the plant including auxiliaries is extremely low.
2) As maintenance cost of the plant is less costly.
3) Less labour is required to operate the plant..
4) No nuisance of smoke , exhaust gases, soot etc exists in this case.
5) The cost of the land required is less.
6) The plant efficiency does not change with age.
7) Plant life is much longer than that of the thermal power plant.
8) Less number of skilled workers are required.
9) In addition to the power generation these plants are also used for flood control and irrigation
purposes.
10) No fuel charges.

Disadvantages:
1) Initial cost of the plant including the cost of dam is high.
2) Power production may be curtailed or even discontinued in time of drought. Thus power plant
is not reliable.
3) The suitable sites are always away from the load center and hence transmission losses are
more.
4) Vast area of fertile ,agriculture and forest land may be submerged.
5) The plant construction time is long.

Run off and its measurements:

The part of the water in the rain fall which is flowing through the catachment area on the surface
of the earth is known as the run off. As the rain falls upon the drainage basin, a portion of it is
evaporated directly by the sun , another large portion is absorbed by the growing plants and crops
and some water percolates into the ground. The remaining portion of the rain fall flows over the
surface of the of earth is known as the run off.

In general run off is calculated by

R=P–L

Where R (Run off) = Rs + Rc ,

 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
Rs- Run off over the surface
Rc is the run off reaching the catachment area through pervious earth.
P = Precipitation by rain fall
L = All losses

MEASUREMENT OF RUN OFF

Run can be measured daily, monthly, yearly. It can be measured by the following methods.

1) From rain fall records.

2) Empirical formulae.
3) Run off curves and tables.
4) Discharge observation method.

1) From rain fall records.

In this method rain fall activity recorded over long period of time and the average of rain fall over
catachment area is determined. Then considering all the factors affecting the run off ,a coefficient
is calculated for that catachment . Now simple equation can be used to find out the run off over
the catachment

Run off = Rain fall x coefficient

2) Empirical formulae:

In this method direct relationship between the rain fall and run off is established with fairly
accurate results. Some of the formulas used for calculating the run off are

a) Khosla’s formula: R = P – 4.811T , R- Run off, P – Annual rain fall in mm , T – temp in oC

b) Linglis Formula:
For ghat region R = 0.88 P – 304.8
For plain region R = (P-177.80 P/ 2540
c) Lacey’s formula: R = P/{( 1+ 3084F/PS)}
R- run off in mm , P – Annual rain fall in mm,
F – Monsoon duration factor
S- Catachment area factor

3) Run off curves and tables.

The formulae given above can not be used universally due the variation in characteristics for
different catchment areas and rain fall. How ever for the same region characteristics remain
unchanged. Based on this run off coefficients are derived once for all. Then graph is plotted in
which one axis represents rain fall and other run off . The curves obtained are called run off curves.
Alternatively a table can be prepared to give the run off for a certain value of rain fall for a
particular region.

4) Discharge observation method.

 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
By actual measurement of discharge at outlet of a drainage basin run off over a catachment can
be computed . The water flow volume through a selected channel of fixed cross section is measured
by measuring the velocity of water at enough points for different water levels. The mean velocity
at each section is measured with float method or current meter directly. Then run off through the
cross section of the river is given by
Q = A1V1+A2V2+…….. +AnVn
Where A1,A2,..An Are the areas of the sections, V1,V2..Vn are the mean velocities.

HYDRO GRAPH

“Hydro graph is plot of discharge through a river versus time for specified period.”

The time period for discharge hydrograph may be day, week, or month. Each hydro graph has a
reference to a particular site. Besides the variation in flow indicated by a hydrograph , it also
indicates the power available from the stream at different times of the day, week, month or year.
Extreme conditions of flow can also be studied from hydro graph. Behavior of flash stream on a
hydrograph is indicated by the steep rise and fall of the curve. A hydro graph also helps in the
studies of the effect of storage on flow.

We can obtain the following information from the hydrographs.

1) Rate of flow at any instant during the duration period

2) Total volume of flow up to that instant .
3) The mean annual run off or mean run off .
4) Maximum and minimum run –off or mean run off for each month.
5) The maximum rate of run – off during the floods duration and frequency of the flood.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Flow duration curve

Crest

Rising limb Falling limb

Discharge in m3/sec

Time

A flow duration curve is another useful form to represent the run off data for the given time. This
curve is plotted between flow available during a period versus the fraction of time. The flow may
be expressed in the form cubic meters per second per week or any other convenient unit of time
knowing the available head of water , total energy of flow can be computed. By changing the
ordinate to power instead of discharge , the power duration curve is obtained and the area under
the curve would then represent the average yield of power from hydro power project. Thus by
flow duration curve it is possible to know the total power available at the site .
Q, m3/ s

Time %
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

240
225
210
195
180
165
150
Flow rate m/ s

135
3

Flow duration curve

120
105
90 Flow duration line
Qn75 FQn
D E
60
45
30
C
15 B
Qm
O AQm
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Percentage of time

Form the fig given above Qm is the minimum flow rate that would be available all the time
(100% of time) .and the area OABC represents the minimum power available always , often
termed as primary power. The additional out put available at higher water flows is called secondary
power. If the flow rate of Qn is required for all the times as indicated by the area under flow
demand line DEF, then it would be possible to meet this uniform demand of flow rate for all the
times only if storage equal to area BEF is provided. An alternative to this is to install a thermal
power unit of BF capacity to work as supplement to the hydro electric power unit. The curve also
shows that natural flow sufficient to meet the flow demand Qn is available for 53.5 percent of time
or 195 days in the year of lowest flow of the record. In the absence of any storage area BCDE
represents the secondary power that would be available from the river.

MASS CURVE:

The mass curve is a plot of cumulative volume of water that can be stored from stream flow versus
time in days, weeks, or months. The unit used for indicating the storage are the cubic meters or
the day second meters. Mass curve is an integral curve of the hydrograph which expresses the
area under the hydrograph from one time to another time. Mathematically the flow mass curve is
expressed as
t2
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
V = + Qt , dt
t1

Where V is the volume of run off and Qt is the discharge in m3/s as a function of time.
A typical mass curve is a shown in figure below. The slope of the curve at any point indicates the
rate of flow at that particular of time. If the curve is horizontal flow is zero and if there is a high
rate of flow the curve rises steeply. Relatively dry periods are indicated as concave depressions
on the mass curve.
Cumulative discharge

Time

Calculation of storage capacity and spill way capacity from mass curve.

The slope of the straight line AB joining the end points of the mass curve represents the average
discharge over the total period. The straight line CD parallel to AB and tangent to the mass curve
at its lowest point g is called a use line. The storage volume required to supply water continuously
is given by the greatest ordinate between the use line and mass curve. If it is required to determine
the required storage for some other required uniform flow rate, straight lines such as fj, and hi
are drawn tangents to the high points of the mass curve , with a slope equal to the desired flow.
The required storage for continuous supply is given by the maximum ordinate between such lines
and mass curve.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

B
j
D
f

Accumulated flow
h
Slope of demand line Mass curve

Storage capacity

A C
Time (Years)

Storage and pondage:

The flow rate of stream varies considerably with the time. In rainy season stream is in floods it
carries huge quantity of water as compared to other times of the year when quantity of water
carried by it is considerably less. However the demands for the power do not correspond to such
variations of the natural flow of stream . A such arrangement in the form of storage and pondage
of water is required for the regulation of the flow of water so as it make it available in requisite
quantity to meet the power demand at a given time.

Storage:
Storage may be defined as storing of considerable amount of excess run off during seasons of
surplus flow for use in dry seasons. This accomplished by constructing the dam across the stream
at suitable site and building a storage reservoir on the upstream side of the dam. Storage increases
the capacity of the river over an extended period of 6 months as much as 2 years. The following
figure shows the location of the storage with respect to the power house.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

River

Storage reservoir

Dam

Hydro power house

River

Pondage:

Pondage may be defined as a regulating body of water in the form of a relatively small pond or
reservoir provided at the plant. The Pondage is used to regulate the variable water flow to meet
power demand. It takes care of short term fluctuations which may occur due to

a) Sudden increase or decrease of load on the turbine.

B) Sudden changes in the flow of water, say by breaches in the conveyance channel
c) Change of water demand by turbines and the natural flow of water from time to time.

Pondage increases the capacity of a river over a short time, such as a week. The following figure
shows the location of the pondage with respect to the power house.

River

Power channel

Intake Weir

Hydro power house

Tail race
Fore bay to provide
Pondage

Short
Penstocks
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Pondage fig:

Classification of hydroelectric power plants

Hydro electric power stations may be classified as follows.
1) According to availability of head.
a) High head power plants
b) Medium head power plants
c) Low head power plants
2) According to nature load
a) Base load plants
b) Peak load plants.
3.According to the quantity of water available.
a) Pump storage plants
b) Storage type plants
c) Mini and micro hydel plants
d) Plant with pondage
e) Plant without pondage.

1) According to availability of head.

a) High head plants
In high head plants operating head is 100 m and above. Water is usually stored in lakes on
high mountains during the rainy season . The rate of water discharge from the water is maintained
at such rate that water must available throughout the year.

The above figure shows the high head power plant layout. In order to maintain the safety of the
dam surplus water is discharged through the spillway. Flow is controlled by the head gates at the
tunnel intake .Tunnel is constructed through the mountain with surge chamber at near exit.
Butter fly valves are used to regulate the water in the penstocks , and gate valves at the turbines.
This type of the plant can also constructed under ground. Pelton wheel is the common prime mover
used in the high head power plants.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

b) Medium head power plants.

These plants operate under the heads varying from 30 m to 100 m. Forebay is constructed at the
beginning of the penstock serves as water reservoir. This type of the plant commonly uses Fracis
turbine as the prime mover. In such plants water is carried in open canals from main reservoir to
the fore bay and then to the power house through the penstocks. The forebay itself works as the
surge tank in this plant.

c) Low head power plant.

In low head power plants working head is less than 30 m. A dam is constructed across a river and
a sideway stream diverges from the river at the dam. Over this stream power house is constructed.
Later this channel joins the river further down stream. This type of plant uses vertical shaft Francis
turbine or Kaplan turbine.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

2) According to nature of load

a) Base load plant: These plants supply constant power to the grid without any interruption.
They work throughout the day. Base load plants are often remote controlled with which least staff
required for such plants. Run –of-river plants without pondage may sometimes work as base load
plant but the capacity is less.
b) Peak load plats: They supply power only during the certain hours of the day when the load is
more than the average. Thermal power plants work with hydel plants in tandem to meet the base
load and peak load during various seasons. Some of such plants supply the power during the
average load but also supply peak load as and when it is there. The run-off river plants may be
made for peak load by providing pondage.

Pump storage plants

Water after working in the turbine stored in the tail race pond. During low load periods this water
is pumped back in to the head reservoir using an extra power available. This water can be again
used for generating power during peak load periods. Pumping of water may be done seasonally
or daily depending upon the conditions of the site and the nature of the load on the plant. Such
plants are usually interconnected with steam or diesel engine plants so that off peak capacity of
interconnecting stations is use in pumping water and the same is used during the peak load
periods.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Advantages:
1) There will be an increase in the plant capacity with low cost.
2) Operating efficiency of the plant is high.
3) There is an improvement in the load factor.
4) The hydroelectric plant becomes partly independent of stream flow conditions. In this type of
plants reversible turbine pump units are used. These units can be used as turbine while generating
power and as pump while pumping water to storage. With the use of reversible turbine pump
sets, additional capital investment on pump and its motor can be saved .

Essential elements of the hydroelectric power plants

 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

The following are the essential elements of the hydro electric power plants
1) Catchment area
2) Dam
3) Reservoir
4) Spill ways
5) Penstock
6) Surge tanks
7) Draft tubes
8) power house
9) Switch yard for power transmission.

Catachmentarea: The whole area behind the dam draining into a stream or river across which
the dam has been constructed is called the catchment area.
Dam:A dam performs the following two basic functions.
1) It develops reservoir of desired capacity to store water
2) It builds up a head for power generation.

Various types of the dams are used depending on the requirement and geographical area.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

1) Gravity dams: These dams are constructed in stone masonry or in concrete.

2) Earth dams: For small projects of up to 70 m height , dams constructed of earth fill or
embankment are used.

2) Rock fill dams: It is made up of all sizes and has a trapezoidal shape with a wide base, having
water tight section to reduce seepage.

Spill ways: When water level in the reservoir rises, the stability of the dam is endangered. To
relive the reservoir of this excess water, a structure is provided in the body of a dam or close to
it. This safe guarding structure is called spillway. Variety of spill ways are used example Overall
spillway , Chute or trough spillway, Side channel spillway, saddle spillway, Shaft spillway and
Siphon spillway.

Penstocks:

It is an closed conduit used for supplying water to the turbine from forebay under pressure.
Penstocks are used where slope is too great for canal . Surge tanks or other measures are
necessary to prevent damage in closed conduits due to abnormal pressures. The regulating
forebay has a small storage capacity to care for minor flow fluctuations . It has an automatic
spillway to discharge overflow when turbine shut down suddenly. In different ways we can arrange
to supply water to the turbines.
i) One penstock for one turbine. In such a case water is supplied independently to each turbine
from a separate penstock
ii) Single penstock for the entire plant.: In this case penstock should have as many branches as
the number of hydraulic turbines.
iii) Multiple penstocks but each penstock should supply water to at least two hydraulic turbines.

Penstock materials and their suitability.

i) Reinforced concrete: These penstocks are suitable up to 18 m head . Beyond this pressure
concrete can not with stand the pressure.
ii) Wood stave penstocks: In this type of penstocks treated wood is placed side by side to form
cylinder and held together by the steel hoops. These penstocks are used for heads up to about
75 m.
iii) Steel penstocks: Penstocks made up of steel can be used for any head , with the thickness
varying with the pressure and diameter. The strength of the penstocks can be expressed as horse
power it can carry.
High pressure penstocks are fabricated in 6 to 8 meters lengths in order to minimize transportation
difficulties. Welded joints are used instead of riveted joints because of the higher frictional losses
in latter case. Penstocks are generally supported by concrete piers cadles., although they may be
laid on or in ground.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Water hammer

Water hammer is defined as the change in pressure rapidly above or below normal pressure caused
by sudden changes in the rate of water flow through the pipe according to the demand of prime
mover. When the gates supplying the water to the turbines are suddenly closed owing to the action
of governor , when the load on the generator is suddenly reduced, there is sudden rise in pressure
in the upstream of the pipe supplying the water to the turbine. This sudden change of pressure
and its fluctuations in the pipe line during reduction of load on the turbine is known as water
hammer. The turbine gates suddenly opens because turbine needs more water due to increased
demand on the generator and therefore, during increased load conditions , water has to rush
through the pipe and there is tendency to cause a vacuum in the pipe supplying the water.
The pipe supplying the water must have the capacity with stand variations in the water pressures.
The water hammer can occurs at all points in the penstock between the forebay or surge tank and
the turbines.

Surge tank
Surge tank is open reservoir or tank in which the water level rises or falls to reduce the pressure
swings so that they are not transmitted in full to a closed circuit. Important functions of the surge
tank are
1) It reduces the distances between the free water surface and turbine thereby reducing the water
hammer effect of the penstock and also protect the up stream tunnel from high pressure rises.
2) It serves as the supply tank to the turbine when the water in the pipe is accelerating during
increased load conditions as a storage tank when the water is decelerating during the reduced
load conditions.
3) It acts as relief valve when ever there is variations in water pressure in the penstocks.
Surge tank should be located as near to the power house as is feasible to reduce the length of the
penstock thereby reducing water hammer effect. It is generally located at the junction of tunnel
and penstock in order reduce its height.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
Types of surge tanks.
1) Simple surge tank.

The simple surge tank is cylindrical in shape and attached to the penstock as shown in the figure.
It is always desirable to place the surge tank over the ground surface on the penstock pipe. If
suitable site is not available the height of the tank should be increased with the help of a support.
This type of the surge tank is uneconomical due to its large size and its action is also sluggish
as compared with other types of tanks. It is most expensive and seldom used in preference to
other types.

2) Inclined surge tank.

When a surge tank is inclined at an angle to the horizontal its effective water surface area increases
and therefore , lesser height surge tanks are required of the same diameter if tit is inclined or
lesser diameter tank is required for the same height. It is more costlier than the ordinary type as
construction is difficult ant it is seldom used unless the topographical conditions are in favour.

3) Expansion chamber surge tank.

This type of surge tank has an expansion tank at top and expansion gallery at the bottom, these
expansions limit the extreme surges. The upper expansion chamber must be above the maximum
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
reservoir level and bottom gallery must be below the lowest steady running level in the surge
tank. In addition the intermediate shaft should have minimum diameter.

4) Restricted orifice surge tank.

It is also called throttled surge tank. The orifice provided helps in creating appreciable friction loss
when the water is flowing to or from the tank. When the load on the turbine is reduced , the
surplus water passes through the throttle and a retarding head equal to the loss due to throttle
is built up in the conduit. The size of the throttle can be designed for any designed retarding head.
The effect of throttle is very limited except at large change of lad because the additional frictional
loss is proportional to the square of the velocity in the port. The change in the velocity will not
be considerable unless the change of load is not large. It is very rapid in action, but the pressure
rises are also equally rapid , therefore, it is less effective than simple surge tank in relieving the
water hammer. The main disadvantage of this type of the surge tank is that , considerable portion
of water hammer pressure is transmitted directly in to the low pressure conduit..

5) Differential surge tank.

A differential surge tank has riser with a small hole at its lower end through which water enters
in it. The function of the surge tank depends upon the area of hole. With change of load , the
water level in the riser rises or falls very rapidly thus producing a rapid deceleration or acceleration
of the conduit flow. Though rapid in action, the differential surge tank gives reasonably low
pressure rises and surges low amplitude. This type of surge tank is having an advantage of
preventing increasing surges under all conditions.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
Draft tubes: Draft tube allows the turbine to be set above the tailrace to facilitate inspection
and maintenance and diffuser action regains the major portion of the kinetic energy or velocity
head at runner outlet, which would otherwise go waste as an exit loss. The draft tube can be
straight conical tube , or an elbow type is more common.

Power house: A power house should have a stable structure and its layout should be such that
adequate space is provided around the equipment for convenient dismantling and repair. The
power provides the space for following equipments.
i) Hydraulic turbines ii) Electric generators iii) Governors iv) Gate valves v) Relief valves vi) Water
circulation pumps vii) Air duct viii) Switch board and instruments ix) Storage batteries x) Cranes.

Advantages:
1) Operating cost of the plant including auxiliaries is extremely low.
2) As maintenance cost of the plant is less costly.
3) Less labour is required to operate the plant..
4) No nuisance of smoke , exhaust gases, soot etc exists in this case.
5) The cost of the land required is less.
6) The plant efficiency does not change with age.
7) Plant life is much longer than that of the thermal power plant.
8) Less number of skilled workers are required.
9) In addition to the power generation these plants are also used for flood control and irrigation
purposes.
10) No fuel charges.

Disadvantages:
1) Initial cost of the plant including the cost of dam is high.
2) Power production may be curtailed or even discontinued in time of drought. Thus power plant
is not reliable.
3) The suitable sites are always away from the load center and hence transmission losses are
more.
 MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
4) Vast area of fertile ,agriculture and forest land may be submerged.
5) The plant construction time is long.

Ocean Thermal Energy (OTEC)

Ocean thermal energy conversion is an electricity generation system. Ocean Thermal
Energy, also called Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), refers to using the
temperature difference between the deep parts of the sea, which are cold and the
shallow parts of the sea, which are cold, to run a heat engine and produce useful
work. The deeper parts of the ocean are cooler because the heat of sunlight cannot
penetrate very deep into the water. Here the efficiency of the system depends on the
temperature difference. Greater the temperature difference, the greater the
efficiency. The temperature difference in the oceans between the deep and shallow
parts is maximum in the tropics, 20 to 25o C. Tropics receive a lot of sunlight which
warms the surface of the oceans, increasing the temperature gradient.
MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

The energy source of OTEC is abundantly available, free, and will be so for as long
as the sun shines and ocean currents exist. Estimates suggest that ocean thermal
energy could contain more than twice the world’s electricity demand. This makes it
necessary for us to give it a closer look.
MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Types of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Systems

Closed Cycle: Closed cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion systems use a
working fluid with a low boiling point, Ammonia, for example, and use it to power a
turbine to generate electricity. Warm seawater is taken in from the surface of the
oceans and cold water from the deep at 5o. The warm seawater vaporises the fluid
in the heat exchanger, turning the generator’s turbines. The fluid now in the vapour
state is brought in contact with cold water, which turns it back into a liquid. The fluid
is recycled in the system, which is why it is called a closed system.
Open Cycle: Open cycle OTEC directly uses the warm water from the surface to
make electricity. The warm seawater is first pumped into a low-pressure chamber,
where it undergoes a drop in boiling point due to the pressure drop. This causes the
water to boil. This steam drives a low-pressure turbine which is attached to an
electrical generator. The advantage this system has over a closed system is that, in
the open cycle, desalinated water is obtained in the form of steam. Since it is steam,
it is free from all impurities. This water can be used for domestic, industrial, or
agricultural purposes.
Ocean Thermal Energy (OTEC) is a real candidate as one of the future sources of
energy. Its environmental impact is negligible. The mixing of deep and shallow
seawater brings up nutrients from the seafloor. The deepwater is rich in nitrates,
which can also be used in agriculture.

Principle and working of Rankine cycle,

MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy

Rankine cycle is a thermodynamic cycle of steam power machine. Adopted by the

modern large-scale thermal power plant is developed on the basis of the Rankine
cycle, and also Rankine cycle is the basic cycle of the waste heat recovery,
geothermal and solar power device. The earliest Rankine cycle uses water as working
medium, and now most of waste heat power generations prefer to use organic
Rankine cycle with low boiling point organic working medium [2]. Pure ammonia is
mostly used as working medium in OTEC [3]. In the OTEC the principle of Rankine
cycle is showed in Fig.1. First the working fluid is pumped into the evaporator where
it is vaporized and then drives a turbine. The turbine exhaust is condensed by the
cold seawater and then into the pump. In this paper, thermal properties of working
medium of the equipment before and after are calculated, and operation parameters
of cycle are determined. Also the thermodynamic efficient is analyzed.

Problems associated with OTEC.

● Construction of OTEC plants and pipes in ocean may cause damage to onshore
marine ecosystems and reefs.
● As this technology has been tested only in small-scale, it is not feasible for an
energy company to invest in this project.
● Electricity produced from OTEC would currently cost more than that produced
from fossil fuels.
● Discharging of cold and warm sea water needs to be carried out several metres
away from the shore to avoid any dwelling impact on marine ecosystems.
MANGALORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 4 : Hydroelectric plants, Ocean Thermal Energy
● Energy required to pump the sea water from depths may be huge, which
otherwise need a diesel generator.