The sand trap is a key component of small hydropower systems that removes solids from river water before it reaches the penstock and turbine. It uses a stilling chamber to reduce the water's flow velocity, allowing sediments like sand and gravel to settle in the settling chamber. A flushing system then rinses the collected solids out of the sand trap through a flushing pipe without disrupting power generation. HOBAS has developed an effective prefabricated sand trap made of glass fiber reinforced pipes that is easy to transport and install.
The sand trap is a key component of small hydropower systems that removes solids from river water before it reaches the penstock and turbine. It uses a stilling chamber to reduce the water's flow velocity, allowing sediments like sand and gravel to settle in the settling chamber. A flushing system then rinses the collected solids out of the sand trap through a flushing pipe without disrupting power generation. HOBAS has developed an effective prefabricated sand trap made of glass fiber reinforced pipes that is easy to transport and install.
The sand trap is a key component of small hydropower systems that removes solids from river water before it reaches the penstock and turbine. It uses a stilling chamber to reduce the water's flow velocity, allowing sediments like sand and gravel to settle in the settling chamber. A flushing system then rinses the collected solids out of the sand trap through a flushing pipe without disrupting power generation. HOBAS has developed an effective prefabricated sand trap made of glass fiber reinforced pipes that is easy to transport and install.
The sand trap is a key component of small hydropower systems that removes solids from river water before it reaches the penstock and turbine. It uses a stilling chamber to reduce the water's flow velocity, allowing sediments like sand and gravel to settle in the settling chamber. A flushing system then rinses the collected solids out of the sand trap through a flushing pipe without disrupting power generation. HOBAS has developed an effective prefabricated sand trap made of glass fiber reinforced pipes that is easy to transport and install.
4 2 5 7 8 9 3 6 1 5 6 The sand trap is a key component for removing solids in small hydro- power systems. After large stones and woody debris are held back by a screen at the weir, the sand trap separates smaller solids such as gravel, sand and silt from the river water. It thereby prevents sedimentary depos- its from building up in the penstock. This, in turn, extends the hydropower plants operating time and maintenance intervals, protects the turbine from excessive wear and increases the facilitys service life. HOBAS has developed a particularly effective, prefabricated sand trap which is built out of glass fber reinforced pipes. Thanks to the precast units and low weight, the HOBAS Sand Trap is transported to the installa- tion site and integrated into the power plant system very easily. A fushing unit, which can be fully automated on request, reliably cleans the sand trap from separated solids. 6 Flushing Pipe (automatable) The solids are then rinsed out of the sand trap through a fushing pipe that is opened for this purpose. On request, special sensors are inte- grated to control the fushing automatically. The turbine does not need to be turned off during the fushing process. This ensures the continous generation of hydroelectric energy. 9 Outlet Pipe to Penstock The cleaned river water exits the sand trap through an outlet pipe which is connected to the penstock. The penstock then conveys the water to the power house. 1 Inlet Pipe After the river water has passed the screen and is thereby cleaned of large solids, it enters the sand trap through an inlet pipe. 3 Stilling Slats The settling of solids is increased by factory- mounted vertical slats. They calm turbulence in the fow, especially that perpendicular to the direction of fow. h Sand Trap Reliable Separation of Solids at Small Hydropower Plants 5 Sedimentation System The particles collect in the sedimentation sys- tem inside the settling chamber. The HOBAS Sand Trap is designed in a way to prevent the settled solids from being stirred up and re-intro- duced into the water very effectively. 7 Inspection Opening The sand trap can be accessed through a factory-mounted HOBAS GRP Inspection Man- hole that is equipped with a manhole cover. The accessibility of sand traps with larger structural lengths can be improved by means of additional manholes. 2 Stilling Chamber A cross-sectional enlargement in the frst part of the sand trap reduces the fow velocity consider- ably. This way, solids can subsequently settle. 4 Settling Chamber As an effect of the water's reduced fow veloci- ty, the solids sink down to the bottom of the settling chamber, right into the integrated sedi- mentation system. Advantages h Sand Trap O Reliable separation of solids O Effective fushing system for the safe removal of sediments from the sand trap O Unhindered operation of the turbine during the fushing process O Easy mounting thanks to prefabricated units O Little space and excavation required during installation O Individual design for optimal performance O Easy handling thanks to low weight O Installation in remote areas possible How the HOBAS Sand Trap works The coarsely cleaned river water enters the sand trap through an inlet pipe. Due to the stilling chamber's cross-sectional enlargement, the wa- ter fow velocity decreases and turbulence in the fow is reduced. Vertical stilling slats aid the wa- ter fow stabilization. In the settling chamber, the solids sink down into the sedimentation system and are then rinsed out of the sand trap through a fushing pipe, which can be opened for this purpose. Special sensors to automate the fushing can be integrated on request. During the fushing process, the turbine continues to operate unhindered, ensuring continuous power generation and maximal plant exploitation. The optimal settling system and the effcient fushing function of the HOBAS Sand Trap have been proven and verifed by means of a numeri- cal simulation model at the VUT Prague (Czech Technical University in Prague) and a hydraulic model at the BOKU Vienna (University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna). Each HOBAS Sand Trap is custom-tailored to the given requirements with regard to numer- ous factors, including the solids size and settling times as well as the inlet fow velocity of the water. This guarantees the best possible settling and fushing performance of the sand trap and an optimal long-term performance of the hydro- power plant. 8 Overfow Plate A tilted overfow plate at the end of the sand trap ensures that the suction of the outlet pipe can- not rinse out the settled solids into the penstock. No part of this document may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without our prior written permission. All information in the document is correct at the time of going to press. However, we reserve the right to make changes without notice, in particular to technical data. The data given is not binding and must therefore be checked in each individual case and revised as appropriate. E Group Worldwide HOBAS manufactures and markets HOBAS GRP Pipe Systems. The HOBAS Network includes HOBAS Production Facilities and Sales Organizations in Europe and throughout the world. E Engineering Austria Pischeldorfer Strasse 128 9020 Klagenfurt | Austria T +43.463.48 24 24 | F +43.463.48 21 21 info@hobas.com | www.hobas.com Publication: 09/2013 When developing and manufacturing HOBAS Products, we are dedicated to conserving resources and respecting the environment. Visit our website to fnd out more about the HOBAS Environmental Policy.