+IMPLEMENTATION OF SIPHON TUBE AND TURBINE FOR GENERATION OF

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Key words: energy production, hydraulic, siphon, hydroelectric dam.

ABSTRACT

In this article is studied the implementation of a siphon tube

and a hydraulic pair turbine generator in practical order will be
generated electrical energy using the water of dams as a
secondary purpose. The calculations are made by proposing
a scaling method from a model from prototype, and the
results are verified by direct calculation. Finally, a
methodology for purge siphon tube and production of electric
energy is proposed.

Palabras clave: produccin de energa, hidrulica, sifn, presa hidroelctrica.

RESUMEN

En este artculo se estudia la implementacin de un tubo

sifn y un par hidrulico turbina-generador para que de forma
prctica se genere energa elctrica utilizando el desage de
las presas. Se hacen los clculos mediante la propuesta de
un mtodo por escalamiento desde un modelo hacia el
prototipo, y se comprueban los resultados mediante un
clculo directo. Finalmente se propone una metodologa para
el cebado de sifn y produccin de energa elctrica.

INTRODUCTION that in the process of extraction and

distribution generate reduced
The sources of clean energy in environmental impacts such as:
Mexico generate 25% of electricity, geothermal, solar, wind and
this should increase to 35% in 2024 to hydroelectric power. To do in this
meet the climate change law passed article proposed the implementation
in 2013. The clean energy are those of siphon tube for feed to the torque
turbine generator, in order to use the
water of any one Dam for produce
alternative electrical energy as
secondary purpose, such as called
cleaned energies. For fixed ideas
purpose use the outlet water of
Jalpan Dam for generate electricity for
feed ten lamps and one office o
house of a park.
Then mention the theoretical
specifications of equipment and
mathematical principles to be used,
after show a prototype of Dam, siphon
tube and torque turbine generator,
and obtain some experimental results.
Then obtain some results adapting
the scalar method used in
dimensional analogies (Zubicaray
1997). Finally comparing the above
results with directs results obtained by
direct calculation. Then proposed a
design and method for purge of
siphon tube.
STATEMENTS
Hydroelectric power generally uses
large gates, weirs and/or tunnels that
allow water to drive the powerhouse
where electricity is generated through
large turbines that move generators
(Zubicaray 1997, Parres 1986). The
power of these turbines is mainly
obtained by the flow rate and the
height level of the dam which
maintains the fluid at rest (Mataix
2002, White 2008).
Usually this infrastructure is built
from the beginning projects. In Mexico
there are hydroelectric dam as
Zimapn (Warn, 2010), in Quertaro,
or Infiernillo Dam in Michoacn.
However isnt known projects in
which a siphon tube was used for
generation of electric energy.
The human evolution throughout
history has been closely related to
use of energy this is "the ability of a
body or system to perform work and
can be displayed in various forms
such as mechanical and electrical,
nuclear between others, and in
decades recent their use has
skyrocketed to become as basic
need.
It was not until about 5000 years
ago when the first wells "that are a
hydraulic machine used to lift water
following the Rosario hydraulic
principia. It consists of a large wheel
with transverse fins immersed
partially placed in a watercourse,
which, thanks to the fins, give a
continuous movement to the wheel.
This has on its perimeter a row of
containers (usually buckets) that, with
the movement of the wheel, fill with
water, lifts and deposited in conduit
associated with the wheel that
distributes. There are also wheels to
draw water from wells but, in this
case, the movement gets using
animal traction.
Leonardo Da Vinci, Galileo and
Descartes (1666-1716), performed
"theoretical and mathematical studies
for the first time on the water wheels
and the operation thereof, and
brilliantly anticipated that there is an
optimal ratio between the speed of
the wheel and speed of the water
current (Oller, 1992).
The use of hydraulic energy, a
renewable, clean and virtually free
"produced by the water retained in
reservoirs or swamps high (which has
gravitational potential energy)"
(Lindsey et al., 1992) . If at one point
dropped to a level below, this energy
is converted into kinetic energy and
then into electricity by hydroelectric
power. (Marin et al., 2010). This
installation allows taking moving of
water flowing in the rivers producing
thrust to a series of blades that
contains the turbine rotor by rotating
transforming hydraulic energy into
mechanical energy, and therefore in
power thanks to the alternators
coupled to the turbine. The electrical
energy replaces fossil fuels and
nuclear power with all the problems of
waste disposal that they bring. Among
the arguments that speak in favor of
hydropower in general and small
exploitations in particular can
mention.
The first hydroelectric plant in the
world was built in Appleton, in the
State of Wisconsin (USA) in 1882
(Tindall, 1984).
Roughly can thus summarize the
development of hydraulic turbines.
The eighteenth century is the century
of gestation later in the nineteenth
century in America the first Kaplan
turbines have rotor blades in a helix
are built and used in small height
jumps, obtaining her high yields, with
the adjustable blades implying
variable pitch. If the blades are fixed,
they are called propeller turbines. And
at the same time the Francis turbines
this is a centripetal radial turbine, with
suction tube; the impeller is easily
accessible, so it is very practical. It is
easily adjustable and operates at a
high speed; is the most used type,
and is used in variable jumps from 0.5
m to 180 m; may be slow, normal, fast
and extra fast (Cordoba,1999).
Theoretical framework
Before a study exhaustive about of
selection turbines, here we decides
use a Francis turbines since the
Francis turbines are hydraulic
turbines that can be designed for a
wide range of jumps and flows, being
able to operate in ranges of altitude
ranging from two meters to several
hundred meters. This, along with high
efficiency, has made this type of
turbine is the most widely used
worldwide, mainly for the production
of electricity from hydropower
(Gallego, 2006).
 Fig 1. Siphon tube.

The main equation used here is the is calculated with the Moody diagram
Bernoulli. (Moody, 1944) and ki = loss coefficient
accessories.
p1 V 12 p2 V 22 Considering 1 and 2 points (Fig 1),
+
2g 1
+z (
+
2g 2 )
+ z =hf +ht ( 1) the speed V1 and pressures P2 are
cero. Then taking equation (1) and (2)
the siphon output speed is calculated
as
Where the subscripts 1 and 2 refer

(
to points 1 and 2 respectively, ( z 1z 2 ) 2 g
V= (3)
p = pressure, V = velocity, = specific fL
weight, g = Gravity, z = Height, hf =
1+k i+
D )
friction losses, including accessories,
and ht = load losses of a turbine.
A model of the dam (Fig 2), siphon,
Friction losses are calculated with the turbine, generator and all the park
formula Darcy losses system, is built. The most
representative dimensions are the
L V
2
V
2 height and diameter of the siphon
h f =f + k i (2) tube. These are represented by a
D 2g i 2g
hose in = 1.905 cm, the high from
the water level to the turbine is d + h2
Where: L = length of pipe, D = pipe = 30 cm.
diameter, f = friction coefficient, here Here L=1 m.
 Fig 2. Model system.

According to literature the smooth again the speed V = 1.37 m/s. Finally
plastic pipe has a coefficient of the new Reynolds number is 2.6 x
roughness which has a roughness 104, and then speed is the same,
, and the rubber has a
V =1.37 m/ s .
roughness , the hose used to
take an average roughness coefficient
between these, this is , RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
therefore D = 0.0003, with this and
the Moody diagram, suppose an initial Experimental results
roughness length f = 0.015. Flow velocity of water at the outlet
For curve hose 180, which has a of the siphon tube, measured the
radius of R = 0.3m, for R/d = 15.8, volume draining through the hose
corresponds to approximately during a time of t=10 s, the volume
K 0.83. was
3 3
Then using equation (3) to the V = 3.8* 10 m and then the
output speed in the siphon, siphon flow is:
substituting the respectably data we
obtain V 4 3
Q= =3.8 10 m /s
V=1.49 m/s t
With this in an iterative process to
calculate the Reynolds number, this is
Considering the pipe diameter
2.8 x 104, then the new f = 0.024, and
 3
D = 0.019 m, Q=3.65 10 m / s
4

It has the speed to siphon hose outlet

is Ve = 1.35 m/s.
And an angular velocity
With that the error between the
Vt
experimental measurement and = =0.519 rad /s
estimation of the coefficient of Darcy rt
in the Moody diagram is calculated, (4)
that is Here we relate the turbine efficiency

|
e= c
V V e
Vc |
=0.014 directly with the percentage loss of
fluid velocity relative to the turbines
speed

Speed turbine with generator load

Water is circulated through the
t =1
v ev
ve | |
=1 t

blades of the turbine, a thread is t =0.96(5)

placed in the turbine shaft and it rolled
over a time of 20 s, then length of
thread is measured. Considering the calculated speed of
1.37 m/s, efficiency is:

t =10.052=0.947 m

Then the losses in the turbine are

V2 fL
ht =h
2g (
1+k i +
D
(6) )
Table I. Experimental proofs to obtain
Ve Substituting data from (6)

Thus the shaft has a radius of ht =0.074 m

0.15875 cm, and the radius of the
turbine runner is 2.8 cm, then
Theoretical power
rt The turbine power is calculated,
V t =V e =1.2976 m/ s
re using the calculated output of the
turbine flow, use an average efficiency
that is
With this speed it has a flow to the
turbine outlet t =0.95 m

and the estimated turbine lost. So
Pot=hQ(7)
Pot=0.25Watts
Scaling method
Using dimensional analysis and
similitude, propose a method which is
to consider the data that is the
prototype and watch the scales with
respect to the model, as follows:
Level height of the dam to the
turbine is (z1 - z2) = h = 20 m
corresponds to a scale1:66.66 with
respect to the model, this is 20/0.3 =
66.66
The radius of the turbine rotor is rt =
0.375 m corresponds to a 1:15 scale
The pipe diameter is dp = 0.25 m
scale 1:13.15
The pipe length is L = 32 m scale
1:32, these scale data, proceed to
calculate the theoretical speed at the
end of the siphon.
According to the literature new
plastic tube has a roughness
= 0.0015mm
Then
/d = 0.000006.
With the diagram Moody is
estimates a friction factor f = 0.008.
Furthermore, considering an arc
length of 3 m to the curvature of the
semi-circle perimeter P = R, then the
radius of curvature is
P
R= =0.9549 m
According to literature with R/d =
3.82 and = 180 the coefficient K for
calculating losses in the curve is
approximately K = 0.33. The
coefficient for calculating losses
coupled gate valve, nominal diameter
of 250 mm, (White, 2008), by
interpolation K = 0.064. The coefficient
for calculating losses of 90 elbow for
connection to the turbine with a
nominal diameter of 250 mm, then by
interpolation
K = 0.2523
With this data the siphon rates is
V =12.127 m/s
With this speed, were calculates the
Reynolds number
Vd 6
= =310
With this Reynolds number is
verified on the Moody diagram, the
coefficient of friction course f = 0.0095,
and therefore recalculated the speed,
this is
V = 11.71 m/s.
This speed is compared with that
obtained in the outlet of the trap
model. This corresponds to a speed Potp
M=
range 1:8.7
Applying this scale the output speed M =11.43 KN .m
of the turbine

v e =11.23 m/s COMPARISON WHIT DIRECT

CALCULUS

As the speed was directly related to
the losses in the turbine model. Then
the lost prototype turbine is
ht =0.64 m
The power delivered by the turbine
at this rate, assuming a 95%
efficiency turbine is
Pot p= ht v e A
Pot p=3281.35 watts
Considering the scales involved by
the power of the model, this is
Pot p=Potmesc htesc v eescD
Pot p=3272 wats
In this section the calculations of the
speed at the end of the prototype
turbine, independently of the model
was performed, and the results are
compared with those obtained by the
method of scaling. Then from
equation (1) losses are calculated in
the system, these are losses turbine,
siphon lost by roughness and fittings,
and pipe length losses.
Just as in the last section, the K's are
obtained: For curve K = 0.33. For gate
valve K = 0.064, and for the 90 elbow
K = 0.2523.
Total losses for the system under
consideration is calculated by the
formula
V2 L V2
h f =f + K +h (8)
2g d i i 2 g T

This is the prototype power which

represents a scale 1:13088 Where

Other way the turbine angular rate Pot p

is given by hT = (9)
gVA
8.7V e
=
15r e t
A = Cross section area
=0.286 rad /s
2
A=0.049 m
Then the shaft momentum is
Thus: from equation (9)
 7.2 With this and the Moody diagram,
hT = (10)
V obtain the new f = 0.095, the following
results
Considering the Bernoulli equation
(1), and substituting equations (10) in q=137.2,r =49.39
(6). Then fix and polynomial in terms
of the speed V, get Again compute the roots of the
polynomial (8) with matlab, where is
Z the real root
( 1Z 2)2 g 7.22 g
V+ =0(11)
L L V = 11.88 m/s
f + K +1 f + K +1
d k d k
3
V Comparing the error rate is
calculated scaling
Doing

3
V +qV +r =0 (12)
e= | V |
V V e
=0.05

Analogously r=52.92 , then This is above measurement error.

V 3147 V +52.92=0 DESIGN SIPHON TUBE AND

PURGE SYSTEM METHOD
And the polynomial roots using
matlab software. Requirements for energy production
and selection of turbine, for the San
V=12.3 m/s Francisco Park and the Jalpan dam
V=11.94 m/s respectively, the tube must have a
V=0.36m/s diameter of 250 mm, and a length of
approximately 25 m.
Here chosen the absolute biggest. The characteristics of the siphon is
7 m into the dam from the top of the
curtain 3 m for the curvature of 180,
13 m to the waterfall, and 2 m for
Then iteratively is calculated by connection to the machine station.
Then 13 m allowed having an
Vd average height of 10 m of water fall in
= =3106
any season year.
At the height of the level of the
curtain side flow carries a connection
type Y which operating as check
valve and allows the purge of the
siphon tube manually or with a pump.
At the end of discharge to the turbine
a globe valve which complements and
download priming siphon is placed.
As shown in the figure below.
Energy production method
The methodology for energy
production is based primarily on the
process of purge the siphon tube.
1. Place the siphon tube into
dam, and take care that this
does not reach the bottom so
that the water flow in order to
not interrupt the water flow.
2. Check that the siphon tube is
connected to the input of the
Francis turbine and the globe
valve is closed.
3. Check that is in neutral turbine
and generator.
4. Open the gate check valve and
fill the tube manually or with
auxiliary water pump.
5. Allow gate closing in order
check valve to function.
6. Open gate globe discharge of
siphon tube and step to
turbine.
7. Check all the equipment is in
set for energy production, and
after a minute clutching turbine
to generator.
CONCLUSIONS
The principal technological
contribution of this work is the
application of siphon tube for driving a
Francis turbine for the production of
electricity. This has three major
advantages over a modification to
traditional dam with tunnel and/or
landfill. First is the low cost
representing replace the siphon
through a tunnel and/or landfill.
Second is not modifying the original
project Jalpan Dam, and the third is
that the siphon tube allows mobility to
different points of depth of the dam,
and/or removal of equipment for use
in another season or even in another
dam.
Even when the discovery and use of
siphon tube is ancient, not found
references regarding the use to
produce electricity whit a Francis
turbine. So the design of the tube and
the purge method presented in this
unpublished.
The turbine losses were estimated
based on the scale model was built,
however the actual losses not be
assessed until the prototype system
will have. But the model gives a good
estimate to determine the design
parameters of the project.
An extra knowledge, contribution is
the introduction of the scaling method
that even though this does not have a
scientific basis, demonstrated
reliability for this project, when
compared to direct analysis of the
Bernoulli equation.
 With the above it is concluded that a
siphon tube system to power a turbine
inlet diameter of 250 mm, is enough
to feed 10 lamps with power of 1200
w and an office with two or three
lights, a television, copier, freezer, etc.
with consumption of no more than
20000 w, enough to power San
Francisco park management, electric
energy produced with water dam
Jalpan Quertaro Mex.
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