The Hampaturi Dam

The service building of the Hampaturi Dam, in which two bob综合体育官网下载 RKV Plunger Valves had been in operation since 1955, was to be newly built on a geologically more stable ground. In the course of the project, the old valves were to be replaced by similar valves which, of course, were to operate without any cavitation again.

The operating conditions at this place, which is located at 4000 metres above sea level, are very challenging. The inlet pressure at the place of installation is about 18 bar, the water is discharged almost into the atmosphere and the maximum back pressure is 3 metres of water. In addition to this, it must be ensured that the atmospheric pressure in this altitude does not cause the formation of small vapour-filled cavities in the water. The valves range among the control valves located in one of the world’s highest place of installation.

In addition to the difficult hydraulic conditions, no electric power is available at the site, so that the suggested solution had to function completely autonomously.

This means that the valves to be installed had to fulfil at least the following functions:

• Control of the inlet flow at a high altitude without cavitation.
• Level control of the outlet reservoir to prevent it from overflowing.
• Controlled closing speed of the valve in order to prevent water hammers.
• Possibility of blocking the valve in fixed positions with three defined flow rates.

Based on these requirements, bob综合体育官网下载 suggested a plunger valve with three control cylinders – two fixed ones and a movable one – which were to be operated by a HySec Brake-and-Lift Unit and a float. This special design and a sophisticated hydraulic control and mechanical locking system allow the management of a differential pressure of 177 metres without power supply.

Under these challenging operating conditions, the valves operate to the full satisfaction of the EPSAS operating staff.

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