Study of floating trash diverter system for unprotected water intake in Tenom Pangi hydro power station

• Main Author: Hazha Abdul Hamid, Ir.
• Format: text::Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Green energy; Padas River

Fossil fuels such as oil and coal are becoming more expensive and depleting. These have caused green energy such as hydro become increasingly important and attractive to power industry. However, degradation of river water quality due to floating trash is known to cause clogging water intake especially hydro power water intake. This research presents development of conceptual and embodiment design of floating trash diverter system using Systematic Approach (SA). Miniature scaled model or prototrial was introduced at conceptual design stage to give insight of the unknown behavior and expedited the design process. Embodiment design was conducted to determine the design load, floatation, parametric study, and assessment of the design using FMEA method. The new trash diverter designed was successfully developed such that a patent was granted for its novelty. 3D CFD simulation and site observation suggested the optimum and effective location for the trash diverter system was in front of the plant water intake at zero degree orientation relative to the anchoring point. Detailed CFD river flow analysis at various operational conditions namely dry condition (38 m3/s), normal condition (114 m3/s), and flood flow condition equal or more than 500 m3/s indicated no significant flow blockage due to installation of trash diverter. However, there was possible flow inefficiency, but can be reduced with weir gates openings such as opening of weir gate no.2 and no.3. This reduced the turbulence, facilitated the flushing of floating trash and avoided the entrainment of floating trash into the intake. The performance testing which measured up and down movement of the new floating trash diverter against changes of Padas river water level shown that it was operating successfully in accordance with design objectives and specifications. This indicated that upgrading of trash diverter main components before the performance test, which were float, anchoring beam or C-beam, and arm roller have improved its effectiveness and reliability.