Optimum Design of Penstock for Hydro Projects

Penstock, a closed conduit, is an important component of hydropower projects. Various methods are available for optimum design of penstock. These methods are either based on empirical relations or derived analytically by optimizing the friction loss in the penstock. These formulae produce different values of penstock diameter for same site. In this study, formulae available for penstock design have been compared to review their suitability. A new method has been developed for the optimum design of penstock based on minimizing the total head loss comprising of friction and other losses. By using new developed method, diameter and annual cost of penstocks for few Hydro Electric plants of varying capacity have been worked out and reduction in annual cost of penstocks have been found in comparison to penstock cost for these projects.