Compressed Air Systems in Hydropower Generation
Application of Air Compressors in Hydropower Stations
Hydropower generation is the process of converting water energy into electrical energy. It generates electricity by utilizing water level drop together with water turbine generators. Water with potential energy at high elevations, such as water from rivers and lakes, flows to lower elevations. The potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the water turbine, which serves as the prime mover to drive the generator and produce electricity.
As we all know, electricity is indispensable for people’s livelihood worldwide. Water energy is a renewable clean energy source. Efficient utilization of natural water energy can reduce power generation costs and improve power generation efficiency. Well-designed hydraulic projects can boost overall economic development.
Hydropower generation relies on the construction of hydropower stations. The core equipment of a hydropower station consists of main units including water turbines and water turbine generators, while oil, gas and water system equipment act as auxiliary equipment for the main units.
The compressed air system is an important component of auxiliary equipment, composed of air compression units, piping systems and air-consuming equipment.
Hydropower stations are equipped with numerous air-consuming equipment that impose strict requirements on air pressure.
The Ingersoll Rand air compressor product lineup can meet air demand requiring high power, large displacement, stable power output and high air quality. It supplies reliable compressed air for various systems in hydropower stations, including instrument air, power air for equipment and other air consumption within the powerhouse.
Specific Applications of Air Compressors in Hydropower Stations
Based on operating pressure, compressed air systems in hydropower stations are generally divided into high-pressure systems and low-pressure systems:
High-pressure system: 2 ~ 2.5 MPa
Low-pressure system: ≤ 0.6 ~ 0.8 MPa
Air Consumption for High-pressure Systems
Oil pressure tank charging
Charge air for the pressure oil tank of the oil pressure unit, which provides energy for the turbine regulating system and main valve operating system.
Operating pressure: 2.5 MPa
Power distribution equipment air supply
Operation and arc extinction for air circuit breakers and pneumatic isolating switches in power distribution equipment.
Circuit breaker operating pressure: 2.5 MPa
For drying purposes, the compressed air pressure shall be 2 to 4 times the operating pressure.
Air Consumption for Low-pressure Systems
Unit braking air supply
Air supply for braking devices during unit shutdown
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Water pressurization for phase-modulating operation
Pressurize water inside the runner chamber when the unit runs in phase-modulating mode
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Anti-freezing and ice-blowing air supply
Anti-freezing and ice removal for gates, trash racks, surge shafts and other hydraulic structures in cold regions
Operating pressure: 0.3 ~ 0.4 MPa
For drying purposes, the compressed air pressure shall be twice the operating pressure.
Pneumatic tools
Power supply for pneumatic tools and blowing cleaning during maintenance
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Main unit air supply
Air supply for the maintenance sealing belt of the water turbine guide bearing
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Main valve air supply
Sealing belt of butterfly valves
Operating pressure is 0.1 ~ 0.3 MPa higher than the operating water head.
It can be concluded that the compressed air system plays a crucial role in hydropower generation. Reliable and stable air volume as well as dry and clean compressed air can improve operational efficiency and continuously satisfy power demand.
Hydropower generation is the process of converting water energy into electrical energy. It generates electricity by utilizing water level drop together with water turbine generators. Water with potential energy at high elevations, such as water from rivers and lakes, flows to lower elevations. The potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of the water turbine, which serves as the prime mover to drive the generator and produce electricity.
As we all know, electricity is indispensable for people’s livelihood worldwide. Water energy is a renewable clean energy source. Efficient utilization of natural water energy can reduce power generation costs and improve power generation efficiency. Well-designed hydraulic projects can boost overall economic development.
Hydropower generation relies on the construction of hydropower stations. The core equipment of a hydropower station consists of main units including water turbines and water turbine generators, while oil, gas and water system equipment act as auxiliary equipment for the main units.
The compressed air system is an important component of auxiliary equipment, composed of air compression units, piping systems and air-consuming equipment.
Hydropower stations are equipped with numerous air-consuming equipment that impose strict requirements on air pressure.
The Ingersoll Rand air compressor product lineup can meet air demand requiring high power, large displacement, stable power output and high air quality. It supplies reliable compressed air for various systems in hydropower stations, including instrument air, power air for equipment and other air consumption within the powerhouse.
Specific Applications of Air Compressors in Hydropower Stations
Based on operating pressure, compressed air systems in hydropower stations are generally divided into high-pressure systems and low-pressure systems:
High-pressure system: 2 ~ 2.5 MPa
Low-pressure system: ≤ 0.6 ~ 0.8 MPa
Air Consumption for High-pressure Systems
Oil pressure tank charging
Charge air for the pressure oil tank of the oil pressure unit, which provides energy for the turbine regulating system and main valve operating system.
Operating pressure: 2.5 MPa
Power distribution equipment air supply
Operation and arc extinction for air circuit breakers and pneumatic isolating switches in power distribution equipment.
Circuit breaker operating pressure: 2.5 MPa
For drying purposes, the compressed air pressure shall be 2 to 4 times the operating pressure.
Air Consumption for Low-pressure Systems
Unit braking air supply
Air supply for braking devices during unit shutdown
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Water pressurization for phase-modulating operation
Pressurize water inside the runner chamber when the unit runs in phase-modulating mode
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Anti-freezing and ice-blowing air supply
Anti-freezing and ice removal for gates, trash racks, surge shafts and other hydraulic structures in cold regions
Operating pressure: 0.3 ~ 0.4 MPa
For drying purposes, the compressed air pressure shall be twice the operating pressure.
Pneumatic tools
Power supply for pneumatic tools and blowing cleaning during maintenance
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Main unit air supply
Air supply for the maintenance sealing belt of the water turbine guide bearing
Operating pressure: 0.7 MPa
Main valve air supply
Sealing belt of butterfly valves
Operating pressure is 0.1 ~ 0.3 MPa higher than the operating water head.
It can be concluded that the compressed air system plays a crucial role in hydropower generation. Reliable and stable air volume as well as dry and clean compressed air can improve operational efficiency and continuously satisfy power demand.
