Pelton Hydro from 6000l tank feed by multiple RAMS

SlowBlowin · 18-12-2015 07:51PM #1

Hi

On my property I have several slow flowing streams. I already have 2KW of PV and I was going to put up a wind turbine next, but now I am thinking of pumped storage.

Anyone ease in Ireland fed a tank from RAMS and fed it to a pelton, the maths seems to work well ?

I have 4500Ah of storage and over 30m of head.

SB

my3cents · 18-12-2015 10:11PM

I've a funny feeling that this might be one of those "myths" where the maths doesn't work, but please prove me wrong I'd love to see your workings?

Just from some ballpark figures in my head 6000l isn't much water. You could get 2kw from a 30m head but i think you'd be using something close to 6000l of water in 4 minutes.

SlowBlowin · 18-12-2015 10:18PM

I already have a pretty good system, and I am not looking for much.

With my 30 m of head and my 1 lps flow rate I should make about 100 watts. I run a 4500 Ah battery bank, and at the moment my constant draw is about 10 amps, thats the PC running the CCTV/home automation, more when I am watching TV etc. The 2KW of solar means I have masses of excess in the summer, but I want some top up during the darker months, and this seemed like to good way to get 10 amps.

SB

my3cents · 18-12-2015 10:28PM

So you can get something less than 0.2kw hours from 6000l. 6000l isn't much for power production but its a lot if you are filling a 6000l tank from one or more ram pumps.

I can see the attraction of the system but either its going to be very expensive for the power it produces or very Heath Robinson and requiring massive maintenance.

SlowBlowin · 18-12-2015 10:39PM

I budgeted 2K for it.

If you know a better way to get 10 amp continuous (120w) I would be pleased to know. Windmills are OK but their average output is not great, I have 2 Marlec turbines (910-3) and I know what to expect with mu turbulent site.

Ram pumps need little maintenance, I was going to hook the whole thing into my home automation system for control.

Seems to me like the best route.

Note I am not after payback, just self sufficiency. Appreciate the feedback and if invested will post results.

SB.

my3cents · 18-12-2015 11:16PM

No sorry don't know a better way, I just read around the subject with the intention of doing something about it one day. I have messed with ram pumps a few times hence my Heath Robinson comments because some people think the ones they make are as good as the some of the ones you can buy.

My problem is still that your tank is good for two hours say but how long does it take to fill, can the ram pumps keep up with it or are you only good for two hours a day?

SlowBlowin · 18-12-2015 11:54PM

Hi

Well I was planning for two 2.5" pumps, with a 3m fall pumping to a height of 30m. I calculated this would provide a feed of 0.5 l per second, so the pelton would run about 14 hours a day.

The tank would take 3 odd hours to fill, but would also be filling while running.

If successful I could add another pump.

I have never seen a similar system attempted on a small scales so keen to try.

I will make a short video tomorrow (weather permitting) of the site and post it for your/others further comments. I think the nature of the site lends itself to the project and would be interested to hear further comments..

SB

air · 27-12-2015 07:13PM

Have you got room to create a small pond at the top of the 30m hill? This could be filled up by rainfall and give you far more storage than a measly 6000L tank.

Markcheese · 27-12-2015 07:21PM

Rain by itself wouldnt make much difference, the bigger the upper resevoir the better but I suppose the limits of the site will dictate that -

air · 27-12-2015 07:23PM

Well if the surrounding land drained into the pond then yes I think rainfall would make a huge difference. As you say the topology of the site is the key factor. I know someone on another forum that has done this successfully for his off grid home in Cork.

Pelton Hydro from 6000l tank feed by multiple RAMS

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