Back to search
ENERGIX-Stort program energi
A new technological solution for preventing environmental effects of air supersaturation downstream hydropower plants
Alternative title: En ny teknologisk løsning for å forhindre miljøeffekter av gassovermetting nedstrøms vannkraftverk
Awarded: NOK 14.0 mill.
Source:
Project Manager:
Project Number:
308747
Application Type:
Project Period:
2020 - 2024
Funding received from:
Organisation:
Location:
Subject Fields:
In Norway, many hydropower plants are known to have caused gas supersaturation in the river downstream power station, which have killed fish. For example, in the 4 km of river downstream Brokke hydropower plant, no fish where located in a survey done in 2012. Due to more floods in the future, it is likely that more rivers will expected the same.
In another project, (the SUPERSAT-project) more than 60 power plants have been identified in Norway where there is a great risk that gas supersaturation may happen in the future.
The hypotheses for this project is that it is possible to utilize gas bubble formations to reduce gas supersaturation. The bubble formation can be created from ultrasound to introduce cavitation bubbles or from air bubbles pushed in to the water flow.
This project will focus on technical solutions on how to introduce bubbles in the water from ultrasound and aeration in the power plant downstream the turbine, and developing models to predict their behavior. This research will generate new knowledge in this particular area and will help to shed light on air bubble dynamics under ultrasonication in various operating conditions.
The technical solutions for ultrasound and aeration will first be tested in NTNU's laboratories and later tested in a hydropower plant. The measurements from the tests will be utilized to verify numerical models which can be used to calculate the influence from the technical solutions in future installations.
The questions that the researchers ask are; Is it possible to use ultrasound when the water has high speeds and will it be possible to use the method on such large water flow rates that are present in Norwegian hydropower plants?
The strength of this project is the interdisciplinary approach trough the cooperation of the partners. This project is interdisciplinary through the cooperation between the researchers at NTNU and SINTEF that introduce mechanical solutions to the reduction of gas supersaturation, biological evaluation of the outcome from researchers from NINA and NORCE, and the introduction of numerical models from highly competent personnel from the development department at EDR Medeso. The results and final outcome will be evaluated by highly skilled personnel working in the hydropower industry.
In Norway, many hydropower plants are known to have caused gas supersaturation in the river downstream power station, which have killed fish. For example, in the 4 km of river downstream Brokke hydropower plant, no fish where located in a survey done in 2012. Due to more floods in the future, it is likely that more rivers will expected the same.
The hypotheses for this project is that it is possible to utilize gas bubble formations to reduce gas supersaturation. The bubble formation can be created from ultrasound to introduce cavitation bubbles or from air bubbles pushed in to the water flow.
This project will focus on technical solutions on how to introduce bubbles in the water from ultrasound and aeration in the power plant downstream the turbine, and developing models to predict their behavior. This research will generate new knowledge in this particular area and will help to shed light on air bubble dynamics under ultrasonication in various operating conditions.
The technical solutions for ultrasound and aeration will first be tested in NTNU's laboratories and later tested in a hydropower plant. The measurements from the tests will be utilized to verify numerical models which can be used to calculate the influence from the technical solutions in future installations.
The strength of this project is the interdisciplinary approach trough the cooperation of the partners. This project is interdisciplinary through the cooperation between the researchers at NTNU and SINTEF that introduce mechanical solutions to the reduction of gas supersaturation, biological evaluation of the outcome from researchers from NINA and NORCE, and the introduction of numerical models from highly competent personnel from the development department at EDR Medeso. The results and final outcome will be evaluated by highly skilled personnel working in the hydropower industry.
Publications from Cristin
No publications found
No publications found
No publications found
No publications found
Funding scheme:
ENERGIX-Stort program energi
5.5BILL. NOKtotal funding in the programme period1099PROJECTShave received funding in the programme period9SOURCEShave financed the programme
Funding Sources
Thematic Areas and Topics
Portefølje Klima og miljøFNs BærekraftsmålPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderLTP3 Klima, miljø og energiGrunnforskningMarinMarint naturmangfold, økosystemer og økosystemtjenesterKlimarelevant forskningNaturmangfold og miljøMarint naturmangfold, økosystemer og økosystemtjenesterKutt i utslipp av klimagasserMarinBransjer og næringerBransjer og næringerEnergi - NæringsområdeLTP3 Styrket konkurransekraft og innovasjonsevneFNs BærekraftsmålMål 7 Ren energi for alleMiljøvennlig energiFornybar energi, vannLTP3 Miljøvennlig energi og lavutslippsløsningerNaturmangfold og miljøAnvendt forskningLavutslippLTP3 Hav og kystLTP3 Et kunnskapsintensivt næringsliv i hele landetPolitikk- og forvaltningsområderEnergi - Politikk og forvaltningPortefølje Banebrytende forskningPortefølje Energi og transportPortefølje ForskningssystemetLTP3 Marine bioressurser og havforvaltningMiljøvennlig energiDelportefølje Et velfungerende forskningssystem