Valves for hydraulic power projects are installed for safety, maintenance, shut off and for flow and pressure regulation. There are three different types of application:
Safety valves are usually installed close to the reservoir dam and have to shut off the water flow to the tunnel and/or penstock in an emergency case of a pipe rupture or mal function of the equipment in the power house.
Turbine inlet valves and pump valves are installed to open and close the water way to the turbine or from the pump for operation. In case of maintenance of the turbine and pump, the valves are closed but dewatering of the upstream water passage is not required. Also closing of the valves against full waterflow in case of emergency is required.
Regulating valves are installed at dams or powerhouses if a certain discharge to the downstream river or irrigation system has to be guaranteed or in case of a complete outage of the turbines. Regulating valves are also installed for pressure regulating to avoid an overpressure of the penstock, tunnel and turbine.
In all cases reliability and safety is the main requirement.
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