See

discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247769005

Reviews: Pontoon, an alternative flexibale cheap

mounting option for the renewable decentralized
river current turbine...

Article · July 2011

CITATIONS READS

0 319

2 authors, including:

Aditya Rachman
Universitas Haluoleo
24 PUBLICATIONS 17 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Development of the River current turbine with diffuser and the Blade Element Momentum Theory for the
diffuser turbine View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Aditya Rachman on 16 May 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Reviews: Pontoon, an alternative flexibale cheap mounting option for the renewable decentralized river
current turbine power service
By
Aditya Rachman
Tambi

ABSTRACT

Turbin yang memanfaatkan aliran sungai adalah salah satu teknolgi energi alternatif yang bersifat lokal dan
berkelanjutan. Teknologi ini dapat membantu menyediakan kebutuhan energi untuk masyarakat di dearah yang
belum teraliri listrik. Dalam penempatan turbin di sungai, penggunaan pelampung dapat menjadi salah satu pilihan.
Studi ini mendiskusikan penggunaan pelampung sebagai alat pembantu untuk penempatan turbin di sungai, berupa
penggunaan pelampung pada beberapa aplikasi turbin yang memanfaatkan aliran sungai dari tahap eksperimen
sampai tahap komersialisasi, dan keuntungan dan kerugian pada penggunaan pelampung sebagai alat penempatan
turbin unit di sungai. Model matematika sebagai perhitungan desain awal pelampung juga akan dikemukakan dalam
studi ini. Metode yang digunakan dalam studi ini adalah kajian literatur.

Kata kunci : pelampung, diskusi, turbin, aliran sungai, kajian literatur

ABSTRACT
River current turbine is one of the decentralized sustainable energy technologies. This technology
potentially assists in delivering electricity for the community inaccessible by the centralized power system. In order
to mount the turbine into river, the utilization of pontoon can be an alternative option. This study discusses the
utilization of pontoon as a mounting device for a turbine unit, including the utilization of pontoon in several river
turbine applications, ranging from experimental to commercialization stage, and the benefits and drawback of the
pontoon’s utilization. A mathematical model as a preliminary design calculation is also presented. Literature reviews
are utilized in conducting this study.

Keyword : pontoon , discussion, turbine, river current, literature reviews

I. INTRODUCTION
Many concepts of harnessing the water (FSM) (Khan 2009). This structure can be obtained
resource for renewable power using local, clean and from the utilization of pontoon.
sustainable resources have been implemented and
commercialized in order to provide a power for a
region inaccessible to the centralized power system.
One of the concepts is a river current
turbine. The current turbine systems would
potentially require little or no civil work as no
elevation required, making this system more simply
constructed (Khan 2007) and the location more
extensively available than the conventional water
turbine.
To mount the turbine into a river, many Figure1. Water turbine mounting option
options can be obtained. A turbine may incorporate (Source : Khan (2009))
bottom structure mounting (BSM) arrangement
where the converter is fixed near the riverbed. Other The use of a pontoon is believed to be more
option is to mount the converter with a structure that economical, simply, flexible, less environmentally
is closer to the surface (near-surface structure damaging than the other options.
mounting, NSM), for example, the utilization of level This paper reviews the pontoon as the
pivot arm and jetty or bridge suspension (Khan mounting option for a river current turbine. The
2009). existing applications of the mounting device in some
The turbine units may also operate under water current turbines are presented. Some benefits
variable elevation with floating structure mounting and drawbacks of this option are also presented and
discussed. Indeed, the simple mathematical pontoon
model for preliminary design is discussed.
II. APPLICATIONS
The following discusses some water current
turbine applications with support of pontoon.
Intermediate Technology Development
Group (ITDG) in 1978 built and tested the so-called
Garman Turbine specifically meant for water
pumping and irrigation. Initial designs had a floating
pontoon with completely submerged vertical axis
turbine, moored to a post on the bank (Khan 2007)
(Ponta 1999)
Figure2. The pontoon in Garman turbine
(Sources :
CADET Renewable Energy IEA OECD, 1989, Water Current
Turbines Pump Drinking Water)
Australian design by Alternative Way,
Nimbin developed a turbine technology, known as
Tyson Turbine. This consists of a horizontal axis
rotor with a submerged 90 degrees transmission
mechanism that powers a generator fitted on a
pontoon (Levy D 1995).
Figure3. Tyson Turbine ( Sources : Levy D ( 1995) )
Rutten Company, Herstal, Belgium designed
a turbine concept which contains a twin tubular
pontoon with floating turbine and a straight bladed
waterwheel (Rutten 1994). Other small pontoon-
mounted axial flow turbines have been built by
Teamwork Technology in the Netherlands and by
Swenson at the Northern Territory University in
Darwin, Australia (Breugel et al (1999) & Swenson
(1999) in Kirke 2005).
Ponta et al (1999) developed a vertical axis river
turbine. This is supported by pontoon which
functions not only for a mounting device, but also
for a power augmentation.
A vertical Daerius turbine was investigated
by Kirke (2005). This turbine is also supported by
pontoon.
Figure4. The aerofoil pontoon in a turbine developed by New
Energy Corporation Inc (Sources : Sorens K (2010))
New Energy Corporation Inc., with support
from Natural Resources Canada and the CANMET
Energy Technology Centre developed a series of
vertical axis turbine (5 kW to 25 kW). This is
mounted on aerofoil shape pontoon and is utilized in
not only rivers, but also irrigation canals, industrial
outflows and tidal estuaries (Ginter V 2009)
III. BENEFITS & CHALLENGES
The following discuses some benefits and
challenges on the utilization pontoon as a mounting
device.
Pontoon is believed to be less ecologically
destruction. This is because that the construction of
pontoon which only requires a floating mechanism, is
less interacting with river bed and land around the
river. Any trenching, piling, or excavation at the
riverbed and land around the river by a bottom
structure mounting or a near structure mounting
mechanism may become subject to environmental
scrutiny ( Anyi 2010).
Pontoon also keeps the reliability of the unit
components. This is because that the components can
be positioned above the water level, which means
various conversion apparatus (generator, bearing,
gearboxes, and power conditioning equipment) is free
from water interaction thus it would require less
design considerations such as water sealing.
Pontoon is believed to be an appropriate in
inland rivers because the water level fluctuates
significantly (Anyi 2010). The mounting device
enables the system to be adjustable to the fluctuation
water level.
The following explains the adjustable water level
mechanism. Referring into Figure5, when the water
level increases, the unit rises. When the water level
decreases, the unit downs. This condition exists as a
buoyant force created by pontoon enables the unit
always in similar level with a relative horizontal line
to the river water surface.
The incorporation of string-anchor components can
be an option in keeping the system still around its
previous position. Without the sting-anchor, the
system may be still adjustable, but the position may
be changing considerably or swept by the current.
Figure5.
The adjustable water level fluctuation mechanism
( Source Rachman et al (2009))
Pontoon also enables the system to derive
high energy flux. This is because pontoon enables the
turbine operating in near surface. The energy flux in
a river channel is higher near the surface than at river
bed (Khan 2007). This can be explained that the flow
in river bed is considerably affected by the sheer
stress of the bed. It results in small velocity, thus
reducing the flux. The stress also causes velocity
gradient (velocity in-uniform in upright direction
relative to the flow orientation). The gradient velocity
results in in-uniform force acting on the turbine,
reducing the reliability of the system.
Pontoon also allows the unit to be moved to
a suitable location where water velocity is faster and
there is not too much floating debris. This also makes
it relatively easy to move the turbine back to the river
bank for maintenance or parking to avoid strong
currents during flash floods ( Anyi 2010). This can be
explained that when the unit is immersed into water,
the weight decreases. This is because that the buoyant
force is created, making the system lighter for a
transportation via river.
Furthermore pontoons can be cheaply made
using used oil barrels and buoyant logs easily found
in remote jungle areas.
However, there still are some drawbacks of
the pontoon utilization as the mounting device.
The placement of unit as a floating matter
may pose competing users of the water resource such
as fishing, shipping, recreational boating, and many
other activities.
Indeed, it is believed that experiences of
floating structure design for energy harvesting is
limited. In contrast, knowledge in civil engineering
domain for bottom mounted structures (e.g, bridges,
offshore oil and gas platforms) are quite abundant
(Anyi 2010).
In addition, any arrangements in river
(BSM, NSM, FSM) highly possibly pose a problem
for the cause of flood (Rachman et al 2009). This is
because that the body of the arrangement adds a solid
material into water, deceasing water space. Indeed,
fish and other living river organism are highly
possible derived a catastrophic impact of the rotating
turbine blade.
IV. MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR
PRELIMINARY PONTOON DESIGN
The following discusses a calculation model
for preliminary designing a pontoon of river current
turbine.
Figure6. The buoyant force and weight
( Source Rachman et al (2009))
Pontoon Capacity
In Archimedes law, when an object is
immersed into water, there will be a reaction of the
buoyancy force. The amount of the force is
proportional to the weight of the water displaced by
the immersed part of the object. To make a thing
floating, the buoyancy force must be higher than the
weight of the thing.
The selection of pontoon aims to displace
the water by its volume without providing significant
weight. Thus, the weight of the turbine and its
peripheral can be balanced by the displaced water to
make the unit floating.
The weight of the displaced water can be
determined by
(1)
Where, g is gravitational acceleration, is the
specific mass of water ( kg/m3), is immersed part
volume of the pontoon and is the immersed part
volume of the turbine and its peripherals.
Thus the amount of the buoyancy force is
(2)
The weight of the turbine and its peripherals can be
determined by
+ (3)
Where, is the weight of the turbine, is
the weight of the pontoon, and is the weight of
other element in the system.
The requirement to make the turbine system floating
can be obtained by
+ (4)
String & Anchor requirement
In designing the power system, the
incorporation of string and anchor can be an option to
withstand the water current force (drag force) thus
making the system staying in its position.
Figure7. The string force
( Source Rachman et al (2009))
The amount of the drag force is proportional
to the area of the system directly interacting with
water, velocity at water and the amount of force at
the turbine.
The force can be modeled as
+
(5)
where, is the velocity of river, is the
immersed cross sectional area relative to the current
orientation of the pontoon, is the immersed
cross sectional area relative to the current orientation
the frame and FT is thrust of the turbine.
If it is assumed that the angle between the
string and the drag force orientation is zero and the
placement of the strings and anchors is as such in the
picture, the stress on the string can be obtained by
(6)
Where, is the stress at the string and As is the cross
sectional area of the string.
Thus, to design the string, one must be
designed as such that it has strain stress higher
than .
V. DISCUSSION
Pontoon design offers flexible cheap
mounting option for the river current turbine. Indeed,
the buoyancy effect can not only make the system
staying floating, but also adjustable with water level
fluctuation. The pontoon can also make the system
easily moved from one location to other location as
the flotation itself making the system lighter for the
transportation via river. Other benefit of the pontoon
utilization includes; less ecologically destruction,
maintaining component reliability, high energy flux
derivation.
However, competition of the users of the
water resource and the limited experience of floating
structure design for energy harvesting are the
challenges for the utilization.
It also should be noted that any arrangement
including the placement of the power unit may be
bring other drawback includes; the causes for flood
and harming the river living organisms.
In preliminary design a pontoon, some
parameters required to be considered are the weight
of the unit and the volume of the pontoon. As the unit
is heavy, it requires a large volume of pontoon, verse
versa. The incorporation of string and anchor can
assist the unit to stay still in its position and can
withstand the unit from the river current sweeping.
 VI. CONCLUSION & RECCOMENDATION
This paper has reviewed the alternative
cheap flexible mounting option for a river current
turbine; pontoon.
Literature reviews of some pontoon
application have been conducted. It is shown that
the pontoon has been utilized in some applications
ranging from experiment stage to commercialization
stage.
The pontoon mounting system offers cheap,
flexibility, less environmental damage, highly energy
flux and turbine component safety for the turbine
unit. However, competition of the users of the water
resource and the limited experience of floating
structure design for energy harvesting may bring this
mounting option to be less favorable.
A mathematical model of the pontoon
preliminary design also has been presented. The
buoyant effect created by the pontoon enables the
turbine system floating into the water. The selection
of pontoon is directed as the body of pontoon has
ability to displace an amount of water to created
buoyant effect. The incorporation of string and
anchor technically directed to withstand the water
current forces making the system standing still into
the water.
A serious work must be conducted in order
to make the mounting turbine system more fish
friendly. Indeed, the relation of the floating unit with
other river users also must be considered in designing
phase. Additional studies on the construction of the
floating structure are equally required to enrich the
knowledge of the mounting structure. Finally, a study
on making the floating turbine less impact on flood is
important.
REFERENCES
Anyi M & Kirke B, 2010 Evaluation of small axial
flow hydrokinetic turbines for remote
communities, Energy for Sustainable
Development
Breugel V H, Schaap, P, 1999, New developments in
the field of simple and sustainable energy
generation. Sustainable Developments
International, 1,p.113-115. ICG Publishing.
http://www.sustdev.org .
CADET Renewable Energy IEA OECD, 1989, Water
Current Turbines Pump Drinking Water
Technical Brochure No.83 www.caddet-re.org
Ginter V, Bear C, 2009, Development and
Application of a Water Current Turbine, New
Energy Corporation Inc.,
View publication stats
http://www.newenergycorp.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fi
leticket=5%2btQK3cID%2fY%3d&tabid=84&m
id=471
Kirke B, 2005, Developments in ducted water current
turbines, tidal paper 25-04-06 1, Sustainable
Energy Centre, University of South Australia,
Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
Khan MJ, Bhuyan G, Iqbal MT, Quaicoe JE. 2009,
Hydrokinetic energy conversion systems
andassessment of horizontal and vertical axis
turbines for river and tidal applications: a
technology status review. Applied Energy:
Elsevier;
Khan MJ, Iqbal MT, Quaicoe JE, 2007, River current
energy conversion systems: Progress, prospects
and challenges Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews 12 (2008) 2177–2193Faculty of
Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial
University, St. John’s, A1B3X5, NL, Canada
Levy D, 1995, Power from natural flow at zero static
head. International Power Generation
Ponta F & Shankar Dutt G S, 1999, An improved
vertical-axis water-current turbine incorporating
a channeling device, Renewable Energy Journal,
ISEP Group, Electrotechnical Department,
School of Engineering, University of Buenos
Aires, Paseo, 24/2.
Rachman A, Lee TV, Mouthary S, 2009, The
feasibility study of a river current turbine for
power generation, Assignment Report of Subject
of Sustainable Energy Technology, Mechanical
Material Manufacture Engineering Wollongong
University NSW Australia
Rutten L, 1994, Au fil de l’eau, une roue´ a aubes.
Systemes Solaires;100:103–5.
Sorens K, 2010, Small-scale Water Current Turbines
for River Applications, Jan, ZERO – Zero
Emission Resoruce Organisation Maridalsveien
10 0178 Oslo
www.zero.no zero@zero.no
Swenson, J, 1999, Tidal power project: report on the
evaluation of an axial flow, lift type turbine.
Centre for Energy research, Northern Territory
University
Thropton Energy Services, 2005, Physic Lane,
Thropton, Northumberland NE65 7HU, United
Kingdom. Aug.
Available:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/
throptonenergy/homepage.htm