What is an Archimedean Screw Generator (ASG)?
An ASG is a positive
displacement machine, which consists of a rotor in the shape of an Archimedean screw
rotating in a semicircular trough. By filling the buckets of the screw,
incoming water provides a tangential force, thus a torque, on the shaft of the
turbine.
Thanks to its robust
design, cheap construction, good efficiency, and tolerance to floating object
transit, the ASG is a good solution for low heads and medium discharges.
When to use an ASG?
An ASG can be used
for heads ranging from 1 to 5 m and discharges from 0.5 to 7 m3/s,
as depicted by the red line in the picture below. Multiple ASGs are commonly
used in side-by-side arrangement in order to increase the plant discharge, up
to 30 m3/s (green area in the picture below).
How to select an Archimedean Screw Generator in HPP-design?
Just create a new sizing, enter a
value of net head [H] and maximum discharge [Q] suitable for ASGs
(e.g. H=3m, Q=5 m3/s), click “create sizing” and select the icon of
the Archimedean Screw.
Why it is not possible to select the ASG icon?
Check the values of net
head [H] and maximum discharge [Q] you entered, probably they are
out of the range of the ASG (H = 1-5 m and Q = 0.5-30 m3/s)
Why there is more than one possible solution
when I select ASG icon?
Because the required
discharge can be achieved with different numbers of generators. More generators
require more space and the cost of the plant is normally higher, nevertheless the
single generator will be smaller and easier to transport, plant efficiency
higher at partial loads and the maintenance easier.
What is the “Suggested configuration”?
Is the solution that
allows minimizing the number of generator in the plant, thus the width and the
total cost.
Why is there a limit in the maximum discharge
of the single Archimedean screw?
Because of construction and transportation
limits. Moreover, the lower the available head, the lower the maxim discharge
per turbine due to aspect ratio constraints.
Once I have selected the turbine on the list,
are there other possible options?
Yes, on the
sizing-detail page, you can choose between a fixed-speed and a variable-speed
regulation of the turbine. You will see a change in the part load efficiency on
the graph.
Which turbine should I choose if both Kaplan
and ASG are available?
What are pro and cons of an ASG as compared to
a Kaplan turbine?
For heads between 2
and 7m, both a Kaplan turbine and an ASG are available. The first one has a slightly
higher efficiency and smaller dimensions. On the other side, ASGs are
frequently cheaper (lower CAPEX and OPEX), easier to inspect and allow the
transit of debris without the needing of an automatic trash rack.
Through HPP-Design
you can compare multiple solutions, check the features of each machine and ask
for a quotation!
What is the expected efficiency of an ASG?
Despite its simple
construction, an ASG is able to achieve hydraulic efficiencies over 80%. Main
losses are related to hydraulic frictions, turbulence at intake and discharge
section and water leakages between the screw and the through. Provided that water
velocity in the screw is one order of magnitude lower then in reaction
turbines, friction losses and kinetic energy loss at discharge are low.
How to regulate an ASG?
An ASG is rather
different from traditional turbines, such as Kaplan, Francis or Pelton, since
it is a positive displacement machine. Thus, it is regulated without the need
of adjustable blades or gates. The screw self-adapt to the decreasing flowrate
through a lower filling of the buckets and a lower water level at intake
section.
A speed regulation
through an inverter system allows achieving higher efficiencies at partial
loads by keeping a constant level at intake section.
Is an ASG reliable?
Although ASG is a relative
newcomer to the hydro world, having only arrived on the scene over the last 25
years, they have been around for many centuries as pumps where
tens-of-thousands unit have been installed worldwide, particularly in sewage
treatment works. The same manufacturers that dominate the pump market are now
the main suppliers into the hydropower market as well, providing reliable
machines with very low operative costs.
HPP- Design will help you in this choice, providing accurate sizing data and energy calculation for every type of turbine!
Doubts or questions? Read our [FAQ]
