DOWNSTREAM PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY

Within water and gas distribution networks dissipation valves are widely used in order to reduce the pressure in the pipes to an optimum. Such valves create a local increase of water or gas velocity by a reduction of the net section and a sudden expansion. Thus, a strong energy dissipation is determined by turbulent mixing. In many case the amount of energy to be dissipated is variable on time. Therefore, automatic valves are used which can vary automatically the opening gate to obtain the downstream pressure optimum value. Hydro power is a very valuable energy source because of the absence of toxic products in the connected power plants. Unfortunately, almost the whole number of water courses are already used for power production. The construction of new dams is not considered sustainable for environmental reasons. In water (gas) distribution network a part of the hydraulic energy has to be dissipated, in order to grant a correct supply for all users. For the increasing economic and social cost of the other energy sources, the recovery of this energy could be traied if appropriate hydraulic machines would be available. The new pressure reducing control valve is designed to obtain two different tools: Reduce water (gas) pressure to the optimum value; Grant the complete shut off of the valve when necessary; Transform the exceeding energy in mechanical or electric energy. The propose machine differs from the already known system for energy production and pressure regulation in its unique configuration, allowing a low cost and easy solution for energy production along pressure pipelines. Patents are pending on the machinary and on most application thereof. The new valve can be used in almost all cases where energy dissipation in a fluid network is required. In all cases mechanical or electric energy production is realized. The main situations where energy can be produced in a water network are the following: -Pressure regulation along water supply pipelines in presence of high ground slopes. The use of the new machine gives two benefits: containment of water pressures along the pipelines and energy production. -Pressure regulation in water distribution networks located in very steep areas. The use of dissipation valves is necessary to grant optimum pressure values in all points of the pipelines network. -Pressure regulation in gas distribution networks. The use of dissipation valves is always necessary to reduce the high pressure value of the primary pipelines to the low pressure value of the town distribution network. -Pressure reduction in deteriorated distribution networks. Pressure reduction is usually suggested to reduce leackage. -Pressure regulation in distribution networks with large pressure gradients. Pressure increase above the optimum value can be used to produce energy. Such gradients are always present in the daily regime of distribution networks. -Pressure variations during the lifetime of a pipeline. Energy dissipation is always requested in new waterworks because of the smaller energy losses in new pipes compared with the project ones. The new valve is suited for the following industries: -Municipal water supplies; -Irrigation water supplies. -Municipal gas supplies; -Industrial water supplies.