The Technological Alternatives for Energy and Hydraulic Improvements

The problem of converting attenuated hydraulic energy into power energy in an artificial local resistance unit placed on a gravity drinking water pipeline (outlet control valve, pressure regulator) without disrupting the hydraulic regime of the water pipeline is examined. It is recommended to replace the regulator with the same resistance hydraulic turbine, and thus, with its corrective device, automatically adjust the consumption outlet of the water pipe. The energy and economic data of the hydraulic turbine unit to be built on the «Arzakan-Yerevan» drinking water main pipelines have been presented as an example of proposal implementation. According to estimations, the small hydroelectric power plant on the Yerevan water pipeline could produce 90 million kWh of electricity per year. It should be noted that the water supply system in Yerevan has around 300 half-open valves and pressure control devices, and in case of conversion of many of them, it is possible to apply the suggestion given in the article.