Industrial power systems

Water-motors are simple bare-shaft water turbines that are used to drive industrial and agricultural equipment such as pumps, foam generators, fans, and hand-tools. These prime movers have been used in industry for well over 100 years and have advantages over conventional electric motors, including safety, robustness and isolated locations. Anywhere there is a fluid under pressure there is scope for power generation or power recovery.

APPLICATIONS

• Mining and quarrying operations frequently use pressure water for cooling, dust-suppression and mineral extraction. Water-motors are used to power remote underground lighting in some gold mines and power for automated monitors in alluvial mining such as the china clay industry.

• Agricultural irrigators use a reaction turbine within the pipeline itself so that none of the water flow is lost from the system.

• Offshore oil platforms using high-pressure water for re-injection have a safe, convenient source of power for instrumentation and rig-services. Production platforms discharging high-pressure oil can recover some of the energy rather than dissipate it in pressure reduction valves. Power for oil storage barges can be provided by compact in-pipe turbines; as opposed to installing large solar collectors that are expensive and vulnerable.

• Safe systems, which are fireproof and present no electrical hazard, are used by fire fighters to run foam generators, remote monitors and power tools.

• Underwater or operation in very wet conditions is possible. Suitable applications range from hull and pipeline cleaners to power tools and dredging equipment.

• Power-recovery in the chemical industry or in desalination plants can lead to dramatic power savings.

• Tensioning and hoisting applications that result in the motor being stalled for a long period, present no problem for a water-motor.
  

TYPES

• Hydro-motor is a standard modular design for horizontal or vertical mounting. Several turbine runners are available to accommodate different pressure and flow requirements.

• Pro-motor is a simple propeller turbine for very low falls and is usually packaged with a positive displacement pump for drinking water and small irrigation systems.

• Rotor-motor is a positive displacement ‘water engine’ for driving power tools and where the head and flow are not constant.

• Flow-motor is an open stream rotor for use in tidal streams, rivers or water treatment works. The applications include battery charging, water-pumping and pipeline services.
  

CONSTRUCTION

• We supply each type in several sizes, complete with bearings and seals.

• The casing is typically made in stainless steel or aluminium.

• The runners are cast bronze or stainless steel.

• Many options are possible, including flow control, governing and packaging with other equipment such as pumps or generators.

SELECTION

• The application will determine the layout and type of motor that is most suitable.

• The power output is determined by the head and flow available.

• The duty ranges from emergency only to continuous 24 hour applications.

• The fluid used to drive the motor may be corrosive, abrasive or very viscous.