HOBAS® supplies CC-GRP Pipe Systems which show favorable characteristics for the establishment and operation of hydropower plants, some of which are: - Excellent hydraulic characteristics for higher output
- Light weight
- Easy installation in impracticable terrain
With a virtual mirror finish and roughness from 0.005 to 0.01 mm, less pressure loss and higher throughput for the diameter can be expected. In other words, smaller pipe diameters may be used, thus saving costs. Since the pipes often have to be laid in mountainous and rough terrain, the lightness of the material in HOBAS® Pipes is also an advantage which tips the scales in the decision-making process: laying times are reduced and costs therefore lowered.
Due to environmental considerations of the EU, a promotion system for electricity from small scale hydro power plants was adopted in 2002 sparking off an increase in numbers. In particular Austria with its numerous mountain streams lends itself to the generation of green electricity.
One of the projects which is currently realized with HOBAS Products from HOBAS Pipe Austria, is the eco-power plant Schwarzach. Since this plant has a capacity of 9.9 MW it falls into the category of small power plants.
In the first phase, about 4.3 km of pressure pipe, with a 1600 mm diameter, transport water at a maximum of 4.6 m³/s throughput to the Pelton turbine. This will later be upgraded to 9.2 m³/s. The 3550 m line leading from the catchment to the steep slope is a HOBAS® CC-GRP Pipeline.
A reason for the contractor to opt for this high performance material is the fact that the line could be installed without the usual anchor points. This is in other words a so-called flexible installation which has proved its worth in numerous cases of hydro power pipelines.
HOBAS® Sealtight® Couplings enable this cost efficient installation since they tolerate a longitudinal movement of the pipes as well as an angular deflection while maintaining absolute leak tightness. Only few bends are utilized, for most changes of direction in the routing are realized within the couplings.
Shorter pipe sections of 3 m instead of the standard length of 6 m are utilized where the curve radius is smaller. In addition to this, some pipes have a 2.2° diagonal cut for even smaller radii. The line can therefore follow the terrain continually and the omission of thrust blocks leads to higher installation rates, reducing installation costs considerably.
Contact & Information:
HOBAS Engineering GmbH
Pischeldorfer Straße 128
A-9020 Klagenfurt
Tel.: +43-463-48 24 24-38
Fax: +43-463-48 21 21
