Power house:

• Structural complex where all the equipment for producing and providing electricity are suitably arranged.

Classification of powerhouse:

a. Surface powerhouse:

• Located on the surface of the land so that it has less space restriction.
• Foundation analysis of such structure should be examined carefully.
• If solid bed is not available in surface powerhouse special treatment should be done.

b. Underground powerhouse:

• If there is restriction or not enough space then this powerhouse is constructed.
• Economical.

General arrangement of powerhouse:

1.Superstructure:

• The structure from generator floor to roof of power house.
• Consist of generator, control room, auxiliary equipment needed for ventilation and cooling.

2.Intermediate structure:

• The structure from turbine axis to top of generator.
• Consist of casing, generator and its appurtenances.
• Access to turbine runner.

3.Sub structure:

• Structure that is situated below the axis of turbine.
• Consist of draft tube, tail water channel and galleries.

1.2 General dimension calculation of powerhouse

1.Machine hall (Unit bay)

a. Length:

• The length of machine hall depends upon the number of units, the distance between the units, size of machine and the clearance.
• The standard distance of scroll casing is about 4.5D to 5D.

Where, D= Diameter of turbine

• Minimum clearance is about 2 to 3m.

b. Width:

• Width of machine hall is also determined by the size and clearance space from the walls.
• Width of machine hall can be (5D+2.5)m.
• Width is kept as less as possible.

c. Height:

• Height of machine hall is fixed up by head room requirement of crane operation.
• Generally, 2 to 2.5 m head requirement is for crane operation.

2. Loading Bay:

• It is a space where the heavy vehicle can be loaded and unloaded.
• Dismantled parts of machine can be placed and assembling of equipment is done.
• Load bay floor will have width at least equal to the center distance of machine.

3. Control Bay:

• Main room where equipment like runner, gate valve, generator etc are controlled.
• It may be adjacent to the machine hall as it sends instruction to operation bay.

References:

• Dandekar, M. M., & Sharma, K. N. (2010). Water Power Engineering. Vikas Publishing House.
• Punmia, B. C., Pande, B. B. L., Jain, A. K., & Jain, A. K. (2016). Irrigation and Water Power Engineering. Laxmi Publications.
• Singh, Bharat (2018). Fundamentals of Hydrology and Hydropower Engineering. Nem Chand & Bros.
• Central Water Commission, Government of India (2019). Handbook on Hydroelectric Engineering.
• International Energy Agency (IEA) (2021). Hydropower Status Report. Retrieved from www.iea.org
• Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) (2022). Annual Report on Hydropower Projects in Nepal. Retrieved from www.nea.org.np
• United States Bureau of Reclamation (2020). Design of Small Dams. U.S. Government Printing Office.

The post Powerhouse Planning appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.