Zotloeterer

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The modern hydrodynamic turbulent water circulation will be eliminated as good as possible. On the other hand we developed the world wide first so called gravitation water vortex power plant which uses the rotation energy of a single gigantic water vortex. It is a milestone in the hydrodyamic development because in the past we needed energy to aerate water - now we have a water aeration process which produce electric energy. Already in the first operation year the invention of the Austrian engineer Franz Zotlöterer produced 50.000kWh - electric energy for 14 average european households. The prototype plant supply the public electricity network with current. You can find the gravitation water vortex power plant on the millstream in Obergrafendorf (10km southwest from St.Pölten in Austria in Central Europa). It is public and can be reached on the cycle track along the pielach river:

 

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Technical data of the plant in Obergrafendorf:

• Presently used falling height 1,4m
• Presently used flow rate 0,83m³/s
• Diameter of the rotation tank 5,5m
• Hydraulical power 11,4kW
• Elektrical power 7,5kW
• Effectiveness of the turbine 80% at 3/3, 83% at 2/3 and 64% at 1/3 of the maximum flow rate
• Effectiveness of the gear 91%
• Effectiveness of the generator 90% 
• Turbine speed 33rpm
• Investment minus financial support around 40.000€
• Joyful working capacity of 50.000kWh in the first year of operating - since February 2006 the actually total production of electricity is over 166.000kWh:

electric meter at 4. January 2007  

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electric meter at 4. January 2009

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electric meter at 4. January 2010

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Applications:

• hydroelectric power production at locations with low falling height
• hydroelectric power production at ecological sensitive locations
• Small hydropower plants up to 150kW
• hydroelectric power production at clarification plants

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Water vortex turbine:

The water vortex turbine extracts the rotation energy from the gigantic water vortex and power a generator: 

• Effectiveness of the turbine is greater 80%.
• For good operation the flow rate can differ from 30% to 100%. 
• An additive regulation system increases the effectiveness in lower part operation.  
• The turbine can work at constant but also at variable speed
• The low speed of the turbine eliminates the danger for fishes and microorganisms.
• The turbine does not need a close meshed screen - minor flotsam can pass the turbine.
• The turbine can be manufatured by curved sheet steel and mounted by bolted assembly.

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Comparison of a water vortex power plant to a usual hydropower plant:

water vortex power plant		hydropower plant  with a Kaplan- or Francis-turbine
Range of performance up to 150kW.		Range of performance up to 100MW and more
Falling height down to 0,7m.		Falling height down to 2m.
Total effectiveness over 70% - increase at lower falling heights and greater diameters of the rotation tank		Total effectiveness of small hydropower plant between 70 und 80% - decrease at lower falling heights.
A regulation system is not necessary for the flow rate in the range of 30 to 100%.		The expensive regulation system consists of adjustable blades (Kaplan) and a guide vane apparatus (Francis and Kaplan)
Minor flotsam can pass the turbine.		Usual turbines need a close meshed screen for protection against flotsam.
The water vortex power plant does not cut  through the water flow. So in the area of the turbine there is no danger for fishes and microorganisms.		Extreme differences of pressure in the area of the turbine induce the cavitation process - turbine blades corrode and the mirostructure will be destroyed.
In the past we have seen that the water vortex power plant lets fishes pass through in both directions. Nevertheless the passing through must be licensed by the local authority.		Fishes cannot pass through a usual hydropower plant. So a fish pass is absolute necessary. But most of the fish pass systems do not work satisfactorily.
The water vortex reduces the variation of water temperature.
The water will be accelerated on the water surface area, it will be aerated and the selfpurification of the river will be activated.
Because of the low falling height the water vortex power plant will be well integrated in the natural environment.		For optimal perfomance the falling height of a hydropower plant should be high as possible. So the integration in the natural environment will be more difficult.
A lot of  small hydropower plants for a  decentral electricity supply.		Central electricity supply with few but great hydropower plants.

A decision for a water vortex power plant shows that you need no regulation system for the turbine, no close meshed screen for protection against flotsam and no expensive fish pass system which does not work satisfactorily. 

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Cost of construction of a water vortex power plant and a usual hydropower plant with 10kW electrical power (except weir):

* …. typical aid money - 25% of the total investment

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Future users of water vortex power plant:

• Private citizen
• Small enterprises
• Countrymen
• commune
• Owner of electricity stations
• Owner of clarification plan
• Owner of weir

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Examples for use:

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Im Fischermagazin des niederösterreichischen Fischereiverbandes:

 

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finden Sie folgenden Artikel:

der die Fischdurchgängigkeit des Gravitationswasserwirbelkraftwerks als besonders positive Eigenschaft dieser Technologie anführt.

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© 2007 zotloeterer