Installation manual

© 2014 EcoInnovation Ltd (NZ) Page 37
4.9. Turbine "manifold" connecting options PLT and TRG
The manifold is the system of pipes that connects your penstock to your turbine jets.
The penstock is what we call the main pipeline from the intake.
1-5+ hydro turbines are commonly connected to a single penstock. It is helpful if at the end
of the penstock there is a large valve so the pipe can be flushed to purge sand/silt. Turbine
manifold pipes are often branched off the main run before this flush valve.
This section covers different ways that turbines can be connected in a cost effective manner.
Parts for many of these options can be ordered at the same time as you order your
PowerSpout turbine.
4.9.1. Connecting your pipe to the PowerSpout
The ball valves supplied have either 2” female BSP threads or (for the USA and other
countries that use NPT threads) a 2” BSP thread on the jet side and 2” NPT thread on the
other side. Customers in the USA can buy NPT threaded fittings locally. (PowerSpout can
also supply PVC manifolds for our PLT turbines with 2” BSP/NPT threads, see below.)
Penstock pipe fittings must be bought separately, as every site is different. For larger pipe
sizes we have pipe joiners available for purchase that fit onto MDPE and HDPE pipe with the
following OD: 63 mm (2.5”), 75 mm (3”), 90 mm (3.5”) and 110 mm (4.5”). These larger
fittings if needed are supplied for an extra charge.
4.9.2. Recommended manifold pipe sizes
For flows up to 3l/s per jet, manifold pipe size ID should be 50mm or larger
For flows up to 5l/s per jet, manifold pipe size ID should be 65mm or larger
The table below indicated the power loss in Watts per metre of pipe.
(Also an elbow or Tee fitting equals roughly 2 more metres of pipe.
Such losses tend to be negligible on a penstock, but important on small-bore manifolds.)
Pipe bore in mm
Flow l/s
40
50
65
90
1
1.8
0.6
0.2
0.04
2
3.6
1.2
0.35
0.07
3
5.4
1.8
0.5
0.1
4
7.2
2.5
0.7
0.15
5
9
3
0.9
0.2
4.9.3. Quick connections
The ability to quickly remove the turbine from the pipework is important so that
turbines can be easily serviced.
There are 2 common ways that a quick connection can be made:
 Plastic Camlocks 50mm (2”)
Camlocks with flexible pipes (hoses) are more suited to
lower head sites of 60m and less.
 PVC mac-unions (for rigid pipes)
PVC mac-unions are rated for heads up to 160m.