Application note

Clamp-on water flow measurement on
5200mm penstock in a hydroelectric power plantBenefits• Very cost effective• Acceptable accuracy onlarge pipes• Ability to assess waterturbine efficiency and ensure
mechanical and flood protection
at high flowrates

Summary
Hydroelectric power is one of the renewable energy sources forming an essential
part of the world’s future energy mix. It harnesses the power of moving water toproduce electricity. As water flows down through the dam its kinetic energy is used
to spin a water turbine. Penstocks are the pipes that carry water down from thehydroelectric reservoir (the dam) to the turbines inside the actual powerhouse.

power lines• Easy to set up and operate• No process shutdown• No downtime and no periodic
maintenance nor calibration
requiredhouse lights
reservoir

dampower housetransformer
generator
penstockintakecontrol gate

turbineoutflow

This hydroelectric power plant (HEPP) located in south-east Turkey has an
installed capacity of 142 MW and an annual capacity of 382.6 GWh. The plant’s
management team wanted to track and monitor their water consumption andtheir turbine efficiency so that they could better control the water level andmove into a more sustainable operating model. They did not have any flow
measurement on the penstocks.

Application

ResultPipe size:

5200 mm (17 ft), thickness 25mm (1”)

Material:

Carbon steel

Water Velocity:

0 – 10 m/s (0 – 33 ft/s)

Water Temperature: 5 – 30°C (41 – 86°F)

Challenge
Measurement on such large water lines is difficult andtherefore the customer wanted to have a field test and be
confident that the measurement will be reliable and accurate.

The customer found the measurement results very positive andas per expectations. It purchased four AT600 units to install on
its four penstock pipelines.
As a result, the customer is now accurately monitoring theefficiency of its turbines and is able to optimize production
depending on the flow rate/dam level. In addition, the customer
can now optimize the availability and connectivity of the plant
to the main power grid and therefore increase the profitabilityof the plant.

Most ultrasonic manufacturers advised the customer thatclamp-on is not a suitable solution due to the very large
pipe size and long path length, even with single traverse
installation.

Solution
Panametrics’ skilled local Channel Partner met with the plant
management and installed the Aquatrans AT600 with CRS
401 clamp-on transducers. The meter was installed in a single
traverse. Although the set up was challenging, the highly trained
Channel Partner had overcome several similar challenges andwas certain that Panametrics flowmeter technology would
be effective.
The meter readings were monitored for a month to ensuresufficient data sets were available for the customer to be able
to draw meaningful conclusions.
The customer also asked for references on similar applications.
Panametrics’ large installed base in hydroelectric power plants
helped in closing the deal quickly.

Panametrics, a Baker Hughes business, provides solutions in the
toughest applications and environments for moisture, oxygen, liquidand gas flow measurement.
Experts in flare management, Panametrics technology also reduces flareemissions and optimizes performance.
With a reach that extends across the globe, Panametrics’ criticalmeasurement solutions and flare emissions management are enablingcustomers to drive efficiency and achieve carbon reduction targets acrosscritical industries including: Oil & Gas; Energy; Healthcare; Water andWastewater; Chemical Processing; Food & Beverage and many others.
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BHCS39437 (07/2023)

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