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Micro Hydro Power Energy Systems & Design (ES & D)
ES & D's microhydro systems employ high efficiency, precision-cast parts, and non-corrosive alloys for long life and durability. A digital multimeter accompanies each turbine for measuring output amperage. These units can be used in stand-alone, or grid-tied systems. Energy System & Design's Stream Engine employs an adjustable brush-less, permanent magnet generator driven by a rugged bronze turgo wheel. The turgo is well suited to low head/high flow sites as compared to a "Pelton" wheel. All Stream Engine mini hydro units include universal nozzles (adaptable to sizing from 3 mm (1/8 inch) to 25 mm (1 inch), and a digital multimeter which is used to measure output current. The standard configuration uses two nozzles which are adjusted on-site to match available water supply. Four nozzle models are available to accommodate flows in excess of 400 gallons per minute. The Stream Engine has higher efficiency than previous alternators, and is capable of outputs over 1 kilowatt (kW). The entire system is made of non-corrosive alloys for long life and durability. This machine can produce power from heads as low as 2 metres (6 feet) to over 100 metres ( 300 feet).
The Water Baby ES& D's Water Baby is a miniature version of the Stream Engine and is ideal for sites with good head, but with very little flow. The Water Baby can produce power with as little as 3 gpm. water flow (at 100 feet of head), and can produce up to 250 watts with 24 gpm flow. It features a double-stator brushless permanent magnet alternator driven by a 2 inch diameter bronze wheel. The Water Baby mini-hydro turbine includes an integrated voltage rectifier, simplifying installation, and can produce 12, 24, 48volt DC output. 120V models are available for long-distance transmission. The junction box also includes a shunt to measure power output on the supplied digital multimeter. With an operating head range from 50 to 500+ feet, the Water Baby can be installed in a wide variety of sites. Generally, lower flow/lower head locations will generate the most power with a 1 or 2 nozzle model. Higher flow/head sites should consider a 3 or 4 nozzle model for highest power output. Extra nozzles can be ordered, and cut to different output diameters to adjust your turbine for seasonal fluctuations in water flow volume.
Order Toll Free 1-877-230-7710 Harris Hydro The Harris Hydro system is an efficient, durable battery charging pelton turbine. It is especially well suited to produce usable power from springs and creeks that are too small to sustain the same level of useful power from a conventional A.C. generating system. Water is collected upstream from the hydro and piped downstream to where the turbine is located. As a rule the greater the head, (the difference in elevation between the collection point and the turbine is called the head) the better. Because D.C. power can be stored in batteries, these small systems operate 24 hours a day collecting energy, a little at a time, to be delivered "on demand" from the batteries as the need dictates. A 4-nozzle P.M. (Permanent Magnet) Generator-Equipped Turbine The multiple nozzle arrangement allows considerably more water to impact the runner, resulting in greater output at any head, and usable power at a much lower head. All turbines include an output-optimizing circuit allowing maximum efficiency at any flow rate. Multi-nozzle systems include PVC penstock and individual ball valves on each nozzle. The pelton type runner is a lost wax cast of silicon bronze. The wheel is 70-90% efficient, depending upon nozzle size and head. The bucket shape allows high efficiency for nozzles and provides a flow range of over 100:1. The wheel has a hydraulic diameter of just over 4.0" and each wheel is individually balanced. Adjustable Strength Permanent Magnet Rotor Advantages Historically small alternators have had either wound electromagnetic fields or fixed strength permanent magnet fields. Wound fields have a 3% to 5% loss in efficiency from electricity used to run the coil, as well as brush maintenance and coil failure problems. Fixed PM (permanent magnet) fields are efficient at one flux density only and cannot be changed. In many applications (i.e. small hydroelectric generators) the load requirements change and the corresponding field flux density should change. Previous attempts at variable strength PM rotors have been (a) iron shunting the magnets; (b) pancake-type generator with disk rotor that the air gap is varied to control field strength. a) Iron shunting has been limited to low flux density because not enough iron surface is available to magnetic induction and multiple air gaps required. b) Air gap variation has had very low efficiency at large air gaps because of flux leakage into unwanted conductors resulting in high eddy current losses. Rotor with Stationary Control Circuit Advantages The stationary magnetic control circuit allows the flux density in the rotor to be adjusted while the alternator is operating. This allows peak power point tracking and more convenient operation. The rotor design has the advantage of being very efficient at all flux densities because the flux path remains within the rotor at all reduced flux levels, not allowing eddy current losses in the stator or other conductors. Further, the iron pole piece can be easily shaped to optimize the wave form output of the alternator. The simple rotor can be adjusted by rotating one ring of magnets with respect to the iron pole pieces and the other magnet ring i.e. a rotation of one pole piece will change flux density from full to null. Another advantage of this rotor design is the rotor pole piece, which interacts with the stator, can be made of low eddy current materials and can be laminated, increasing alternator efficiency.
Order Toll Free 1-877-230-7710
Harris Hydro How To Determine Output
Turbine output is determined by 4 factors: 1. Head, or vertical drop from source to turbine nozzle. Head can be measured with a transit or level and a measuring stick of known length in successive steps. Or a quick pipe can be assembled from numerous garden hoses and the pressure can be measured with the hoses full of water. This, too, can be done in successive steps. 0.43 psi = 1 foot of head / 2.3 feet = 1 psi 2. Flow in gallons per minute (gpm) passing through the nozzle. A temporary dam can be built to measure flow. By timing the filling of a container of known volume, the flow can be determined. Care should be taken to not dry up creeks, but to leave enough water to maintain natural environmental balances. 3. Diameter, length and condition of feeder pipe. Generally, single nozzle systems with under 2000 feet of feeder pipe require a 2" pipe. A two nozzle system needs a 3" pipe and 4 nozzle systems require a 4" pipe. This will keep pipe losses under 25%. Please inquire about specific pipe losses for your site. 4. Turbine efficiency. Alternator systems are between 30% - 70% efficient.
Regular Alternator Output In Watts
Feet Net of Head
High Output Alternator Output In Watts
Feet Net of Head
Maximum Efficient Flow At Various Heads (Figures in Gallons/Minute)
Feet of Net Head
If you have any questions, please call us toll free: 1-877-230-7710 |
Prices subject to change without notice.
We make every effort to provide accurate information on our website. Unfortunately, errors do occur and we reserve the right to make changes and correct errors to prices and specifications as necessary. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Fire Mountain Solar LLC™
Products for a Sustainable Future™
For Technical Information Call 1-360-422-5610
To Order Call Toll Free 1-877-230-7710
mailto:info@firemountainsolar.com
