SILT DAMAGE CONTROL MEASURES FOR UNDERWATER PARTS - NATHPA JHAKRI HYDRO POWER STATION - CASE STUDY OF A SUCCESS STORY

摘要

Hydro power plants located on the Himalayan Rivers, typically, have had to endure high silt content in the water passing through the turbines causing enormous damages to the under-water parts of the turbine. The hydro power generating companies are engaged in mitigating this menace and optimizing generation and profits. The Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) - the flagship power station of the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) - bore the brunt of heavily silt laden water, consisting of highly erosive Quartz particles, in the first few years of operation after commissioning in 2003-04. Through a series of silt control measures, based on expert advice and experience gained by SJVN over the years, SJVN is close to finding a lasting solution to theproblem towards achieving an optimum interval between successive repairs. In this paper, I will share the engineering and operation and maintenance experiences of SJVN and contrast the condition of critical underwater parts before and after implementingthe measures.