The exploitation of low-head hydropower by pressure interchange with air, using siphons

Abstract The paper describes and analyses a hydropower system based on siphons in which the pressure of low-head water is converted into air pressure. The analysis suggests that, with careful design of the flow passages to minimize losses, air-pumping efficiencies of 70 per cent or more should be achievable; the overall efficiency of the hydropower system should be better than 60 per cent. Although such values of efficiency are lower than usually found in hydro plant, the economics of the system are likely to be attractive owing to the low capital cost of the system compared with conventional water turbine systems. It is shown that a siphon plant is suitable, in single-stage from, for heads up to about 1.7m. For higher heads the system can be used in two or more stages.