Hydroelectric Power-Henry Borden Power Plant

Henry Borden Power Plant-Generator House and Water Feed Pipes

In my opinion, the Henry Borden Power Plant was the most interesting excursion thus far.  The tour started with a brief history of the plant, along with a schematic description of the elevations used in the design.  The plant receives its energy from the natural height of the Tiete River. 

Smaller Scale Model of Turbine Apparatus

Smaller Scale Model of Turbine and Generator

An interesting Fluid Transport principle was used in the design for the turbine injector nozzles.  The cross sectional area of the pipe is decreased just before reaching the turbines.  This increases the flow rate of the stream due to the conservation of matter.  It also increases the pressure of the water just before it hits the turbine blades.

  Injector Needle Visible

The nozzle itself has a pointed needle sticking out of it.  This directs the flow of water into a straight line due to adhesion to the needles surface.  The water molecules want to hug the surface of the needle, and thus the water shoots like a jet off the point of the needle.

Actual Size Injector 

I was really interested in the shape of the turbine blades.  We did a classroom exercise where we designed turbines, and the question of optimal blade shape was considered.  The blades are concave, and I am assuming this is to catch as much water as possible.  The blades also include a pointed slant in the center.  I am guessing that this is to allow water to drip off the blade.  Once the energy in the water is spent, it would be undesirable to let the stagnant water sit in the blade cup.  This is because it would absorb some of the energy and cut the rotor efficiency.  I think optimizing the exact geometry of the blades could be an interesting way to improve hydroelectric technology.

Actual Size of One Turbine Blade

 Point on Turbine Blade

 Turbines (Not in Use)

 Turbines (Not in Use)

 

Generator and Turbine In Use

Hydraulic Fluid and Lubricant Tank

Jump-Starter System for Turbine Activation

Control Panel and Gauges

Close up of Penstocks

Entrance to The Cave

The second area of the power plant is referred to as “The Cave”.  During a revolt against the federal government in 1920, the military attempted to bomb the power plant.  This is because it is a strategic energy generation site for Sao Paulo.  The Cave was designed as a back-up power plant that would be less susceptible to bombings.  However, the revolt ended before it could be built for this purpose.  Instead, The Cave was built three decades later in order to satisfy higher energy demands as well as unemployment issues.

Generator in The Cave

Turbine in The Cave

Hydraulic Fluid and Lubricant in The Cave

In a presentation on Monday, I attempted to calculate the height of the damn using the flowrate and an estimated turbine efficiency. 

• Given: P=880 MW power (8.8*10^8 Watts), Flowrate=395 cubic meters/s
• Formula: P=phrgk
• Assumptions: k=.4 (40% efficient turbines)

• 8.8x10^8=1000*h*395*9.8*.4

• h=568.32 m =.35 miles=5.2 football fields with end zones

The actual height of the damn is however 718.5 meters. I can now use this number to calculate the actual efficiency of the turbine-generator systems.

• 8.8x10^8=1000*718.5*395*9.8*.k
• k=.316 or 31.6% efficient
This can also be expressed as 2.2 MW of power / cubic meter