Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
The following are the foundation of the research study:
Levels of
Study
Preliminary
Study
Feasibility
Study
st
This will be a run-of-river type mini hydro research
employing small diversion dams with unregulated spillways such
as diversion weir, intake structures, desander boxes and steel
pipe conveyance line.
These different stages are distinguished by the increasing
degree of detail.
Preliminary study will undergo scheme layout and location
of structures, structures dimensions, program of works.
Feasibility study will be the collection of data and
field investigation like detailed survey, geologic study
and hydrologic Study.
This is located along the upper reaches of the Chico River
(different from the Chico River in the Mt. Province) which is
a tributary to the Amburayan River that generally follows a
northward direction to eventually turn westward then empties
into the China Sea.
The project will provide sufficient drainage and utility
system. The power plant will also have no adverse impact to
the environment since the project will produce minimal amount
of wastewater. The water quality of the area is not affected
and will not deteriorate. Care is observed to prevent or
decrease contamination of the water near the facility from the
use of its septic vault.
For this project, a design flow of 3.45 cms is selected to
support an installed capacity of 4.56 MW. Estimated plant
factor at the design flow is approximately 45%.
Flow-Duration and Power Curves
Available Flow Flow Used Available Power
30.000 5,000
4,500
25.000
4,000
3,500
Pow er (kW)
20.000
Flow (m³/s)
3,000
15.000 2,500
2,000
10.000
1,500
1,000
5.000
500
0.000 0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Percent Time Flow Equalled or Exceeded (%)
Annual Energy Production Estimate Notes/Range
Small hydro plant capacity kW 4,560
MW 4.560
Small hydro plant firm capacity kW 246
Available flow adjustment factor - 0.90
Small hydro plant capacity factor % 45% 40% to 95%
Renewable energy delivered MWh 18,161
kWh 18,160,768
Diversion weir is a masonry gravity type with a normal
water level of 435 meters and a crest length of 20 meters.
Intake structure is a side type intake with one channel whose
width and depth is 1.2 meters and 1.5meters, respectively. Its
trash rack is 12mmx65mm @ 20mm clear spacing. The desander
basin/box is a single channel with four hoopers concrete
construction. Its length, width, and depth is 55 meters,
2.5meters and 3.5 meters respectively. Steel pipe conveyance
line has a transmission length of 22 kilometers with a voltage
level of 69kilovolts.
Results of the traverse survey indicates a gross head of
168 meters available between the tailwater level which is at
elevation 267 masl and headwater level/weir crest elevation at
435 masl after including an additional 15 meters due to the
diversion weir height.
The diversion point to the Danonoy Area just upstream of
the confluence of the Sigbon Ugsa Creek (Vagina Falls) to the
Butigui River considering that the proposed Suyo 3 will not be
sought anymore. The Diversion Weir will be located just below
the Danonoy? Foot Bridge. The existing Danonoy Foot bridge
deck lies at elevation 443 masl or 8 meters above the proposed
headwater level/weir crest elevation at 435 masl.
Installation of Rainfall Gauge and stream flow Gauge were
also done during conduct of the preliminary activities.
Gaugers were hired and trained to do daily observation and
recording of the readings thereof. Installations: 1 –
Streamflow Staff Gauge, 1 – Rainfall Gauge.
Gathered from the residents in the area, rains in the
afternoons are observed to occur and becoming more often
beginning at the later part of the month of April. Soon after
the staff gauge was installed, calibration readings were
conducted, and afforded by the afternoon rains, and at least
three stages or levels were observed: in the morning before
the afternoon rain; after the rain upon the observed arrival
of the run-off peak, and in the morning of the next day before
any afternoon rains.
A 12-meter stretch of the river with almost uniform slope
and cross-section was selected as the gauging/calibration
site. Float method of stream flow gauging was adopted. At
least 12 time trials were made to get an average surface flow
velocity. A 0.85 factor was used to ferret out velocity
variations due to depth and drag on on the river bed.
Power Supply produces electricity by using a stored supply of
water from a reservoir, which runs down large bore pipes known
as penstocks, into water turbines located below the reservoir.
These turbines drive power generators supplying electricity to
the national grid.
Power transmission is the movement of energy from its place of
generation to a location where it is applied to perform useful
work.
Hydro Power Plant is an impoundment facility, typically a
large hydropower system, uses a dam to store river water in a
reservoir.
Desanders and desilters are solid control equipment with a set of
hydrocyclones that separate sand and silt from the drilling fluids in
drilling rigs. Desanders are installed on top of the mud tank
following the shale shaker and the degasser, but before the desilter.
Intake structures are used for collecting water from the surface sources
such as river, lake, and reservoir and conveying it further to the water
treatment plant. These structures are masonry or concrete structures and
provides relatively clean water, free from pollution, sand and objectionable
floating material.
Weir is a barrier across the horizontal width of a river that alters
the flow characteristics of water and usually results in a change in
the height of the river level.
Run of River is a small dam with little impoundment of water is used.
Short tunnels (called penstocks) direct water to the power station
using the natural flow of the river. Capacity of generating
electricity in a diversion or a run-of-river station is dependent on
the amount of water flowing in the river.
Trash rack is a wooden or metal structure, frequently supported by
masonry, that prevents water-borne debris (such as logs, boats,
animals, masses of cut waterweed, etc.) from entering the intake of a
water mill, pumping station or water conveyance.
Stream flow which is also known as channel runoff, refers to the flow
of water in natural watercourses such as streams and rivers. Without
stream flow, the water in a given watershed would not be able to
naturally progress to its final destination in a lake or ocean. This
would disrupt the ecosystem. It is one important route of water from
the land to lakes and oceans.
