Download 1. Introduction - Louisiana Tech University College of

E-Vortex: Energy from Waste & Storm
Water Conveyance Systems
(harvesting energy from our urban rivers)
Dr. Erez Allouche & Dr. Arun Jaganathan
Trenchless Technology Center
Louisiana Tech University
November 5, 2009
Summary Statement
The primary role of drop structures is to direct flow from shallow
surface sewers to deeper collection tunnels via a vertical shaft.
There are thousands of drop structures across North
America, some 300 feet tall, which convey billions of gallons
per day. We are developing an innovative method for
harvesting the kinetic energy from the flow and converting it to
electric power.
Research Context and Prior Work
Develop a low profile, low cost micro turbine-alternator
assembly that can be retrofitted within the inner wall of the
vertical pipe in a Vortex Flow Insert drop structure with
minimum obstruction to passage of fluids while
maximizing the number of revolutions for a given flow
rate.
Flow in
Turbine blades
Rotating
Flow out
Challenges
1.
2.
3.
Determine the optimal geometry and
orientation of blades as well as the optimal
number of blades in the turbine.
Mechanical design – minimize the vertical load
(or weight) applied to the turbine structure.
Electrical Design – design of alternator for
power generation; variability in frequency and
voltage of the produced electric power due to
the highly variable flow rate.
Accomplishments to Date
-
Development of a 3-D numerical model of the
vortex drop structure using a computational
fluid dynamics package (Flow-3D)
Design of a 5 ft tall
experimental prototype
to be fabricated at LTU
hydraulic laboratory.
-
Plans for 2009-10
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Complete numerical model and optimize blade design
Fabricate a physical model to validate predictions from
numerical model
Fabricate and test a micro turbine-alternator assembly
Interest in technology by the City of Indianapolis
(currently planning construction of a 250 tall drop structure;
hope to use power production to off-set
construction costs)
Value Proposition
Uniqueness - Emerging renewable hydro technologies are
river and tidal based; little development aimed at harvesting
‘urban rivers’.
Potential – Infrastructure already exists (there are 250 drop
structures in Chicago alone); generate power where the
customers are (urban centers); significant energy potential
(some 300 ft tall, 4500 cu.ft. per second)
Adaptability – can be easily adapted globally (sewer systems
around the globe are nearly identical)