proposed generator setup

[stephendv]

So the only thing standing between humanity and unlimited free energy is spring loaded valves?

Good luck.

[t00ls]

I really wanted to be nice stephan...but you sound a lot like a corporate shill....you dont have a reason why this wouldnt work...you havent shown any proof that someone has done it this way in the past...and

you have a diesel generator on your profile on a renewable energy forum, wow

now while I know generators have their place here, it's usually accompanied by some type of renewable energy

I just cant stand people that always have a negative input

I'm done

[mike90045]

Originally Posted by t00ls

I'm not sure of the math, or if this is even possible, I have a creek beside my property below a hill that I live on.....I was thinking that I could use a foot valve in conjunction with siphon techniques to run my windblue generator with a pelton wheel....kinda a reverse ram pump, only not to pump water

heres a crude drawing , I would like anyones thoughts on this

if you are not going to like the answers, then don't ask.

and I have 2 backup gensets, am I a shill too ? (but one can run on veggie oil)

and I'm agonizing over answers I've gotten here, but I don't slam folks about it.

[Cariboocoot]

Originally Posted by t00ls

I really wanted to be nice stephan...but you sound a lot like a corporate shill....you dont have a reason why this wouldnt work...you havent shown any proof that someone has done it this way in the past...and

you have a diesel generator on your profile on a renewable energy forum, wow

now while I know generators have their place here, it's usually accompanied by some type of renewable energy

I just cant stand people that always have a negative input

I'm done

You've been given the reasons why it won't work. In one word: physics.
If you insist on learning the hard way, go ahead. It's not our time, effort, and money you'll be wasting.

And lots of us have generators; it's called "back-up power". When you're in the middle of nowhere you need it, because sometimes things go wrong and the sun doesn't shine for days.

You will always find sensible, fact-based, real-world advice here. Never pie-in-the-sky solutions or hype.

[BB.]

Everyone is here because they care. And sometimes humor is used--but missed in typed conversations.

Hyrdo is just such a tempting power source--but every time I look at it--there is just the simple physics that say you need a water level differential and lots of water flow. At least commercial electric stuff--it seems that 3-5 foot head is about the minimum to get a few hundred watts--and even then it requires a lot of water flow to get that power.

Your proposed system looks a little bit like a Ram Pump from Mike's post. The issue is that changing static energy (head) to dynamic energy (momentum of water through pipe to pump water) still needs the basic physics to make it work.

If you don't have sufficient difference in water levels and enough water flow--hydro is very difficult to make work.

-Bill

[t00ls]

thanks bill...thats what I was looking for....opinions, with more than 2 words

as I said before the 2 things I am doing different is
1) the outlet will be lower than the inlet
2) I will incorporate valves just as an engine does

to have any good generator power, you need a good engine

and also I may incorporate a paddle wheel to run a small large volume pump such as this one http://www.dbestpump.com/

I was informed yesterday that with any pump above a source you can only get 25 feet out of it. So if I put a pump at the bottom and use some of the vacuum to get water to the top...everything should go as planned

thanks everyone for the input

[BB.]

Depending on altitude--probably about 20' would be a good maximum siphon lift at sea level.

What is your difference between water level and how much flow (GPM or equivalent) are you looking at?

The Ram pump does have several valves in the system--and, from what I have read, Ram systems can have decades or more of functional life without service.

There are quite a few Internet Sites with descriptions about how they work, design information, and how to build them.

-Bill

[stephendv]

There are only 2 variables that count when calculating the power output of hydro: the head and the flow rate between the high point of the water source and the turbine ouput. Here's an online calculator that will let you calculate the available power: http://www.reuk.co.uk/Calculation-of-Hydro-Power.htm

The only source of energy is that of the water moving from a high place to a low place. No amount of valves or pumps in between the high place and low place will increase the energy - if anything, they will decrease it.

Your most viable options are to dam up the creek to create more head and then use a standard hydro turbine. Or to use an old style water wheel type system connected to a generator if the stream doesn't have much head.

No amount of syphoning or valves or pumping in between the high and low points of the water will add any energy to the system.

(Regarding the "corporate shill" comment, yes you are spot on, I work for BP we have a new project to bring oil direct to US shores, without the inconvenience of pipes - still need to sell the concept to the locals )