low speed high torque paddle wheel calculations for 100kw generation

[crockfighter]

Hi
We are looking at attempting to build a paddle wheel in a river that flows between 1.2 meters/second to 1.5meters/sec. Ultimately I want to work on 1.2. The river is around 3meters deep minimum and 75meters wide.
This may seem a little unrealistic but we plan to use hydraulic pumps (an oil circuit or whatever is the most efficient) to transfer the torque to amother hydraulic pump at the correct ratio to drive a 30 - 40rpm generator. The intention is to generate the equivalent power to run a pump that uses a 75kw motor with an additional 25 kw spare.

Firstly.... is this possible?
Secondly..... what size paddles with centre shaft is required
Thirdly.... any recommendations of existing sizes of hydraulic pumps that can be used?

Thanks.
Cockfighter..

 

[hydtools]

Look through this article to decide what would be required to make a waterwheel deliver the power you want to decide initial feasibility.

http://www.british-hydro.org/waterwheels.html

Ted

 

[HPost]

There would be 162Kw available from the total river.

Google Pelton Turbine for details on the calculation to find the size and efficiency of turbine needed to extract 100kW from the river.

The pumps you use to convert the power will be at best 85% efficient, so your Pelton turbine will need to be big enough to compensate for the mechanical and hydraulic losses.

So, yes, it is possible

The type and size of the pumps and motors are very flexible and may need a gearbox or two to keep it all practical.

 

[John2025]

Watch out for regulations.
There was a guy up in Canada that was deep into his project before he found out that there was a tariff for using the water even though he wasn't actually consuming any water. It really messed up the economics.

 

[berkshire]

I believe the OP is in Zambia. I also believe from his original post that he wants to use an undershot paddle wheel.
which of course is the least efficient type of wheel there is, but also the simplest to install.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.