System and method for reducing the downstream environmental impact of water extracted from a hydraulic dam

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for reducing the environmental impact caused downstream by water extracted from a hydraulic dam which includes a floating structure in the surface water, connected to the water inlet of a tube and designed to float in the surface water, and a water outlet of the tube connectable to a feed gate in the retaining wall of the dam; the tube being designed to be adapted to various levels of the surface water in which the floating structure floats without preventing the flow of surface water through the tube, and the system allowing the performance of the method according to the present invention, all this in the event that there is in the dam a hydroelectric power station, without loss of power therein.

1 . System for reducing downstream environmental impact of water extracted from a hydraulic dam which comprises at least one upstream dammed water conduit with a water inlet and a water outlet which can be connected to a gate of a retaining wall of a dam, the system comprising:
 an intake system for surface water of the upstream dammed water with a floating structure connected to the water inlet and designed to float in the surface water and a water outlet connectable to a feed gate located at an intermediate height of the retaining wall of the dam;   wherein the water inlet is located in the surface water to enable a flow of surface water through the water conduit; and   wherein the dammed water conduit is at least one tube with a structure designed to be adapted to various flotation levels of the floating structure without preventing flow of surface water.   
     
     
         2 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the intake system is a telescopic tube intake system in which the tube is a telescopic tube formed by a plurality of telescopic segments which can be vertically moved in relation to one another, with an upper telescopic segment in which there is located the water inlet and which is connected to the floating structure, and a lower telescopic segment in which there is located the water outlet connectable to the feed gate. 
     
     
         3 . System according to  claim 2 , wherein the telescopic tube is secured to the retaining wall by means of a plurality of anchors allowing a vertical movement of at least some of the telescopic segments. 
     
     
         4 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the intake system is a flexible tube intake system in which the tube is a flexible tube with a first end in which there is located the water inlet and which is connected to the floating structure and with a second end in which there is located the water outlet and connectable to the feed gate. 
     
     
         5 . System according to  claim 4 , wherein the flexible tube is designed to adopt a variable radius of curvature depending on the level of the surface water in which the floating structure floats. 
     
     
         6 . System according to  claim 4 , wherein the flexible tube is manufactured from a polymeric or plastic material. 
     
     
         7 . System according to  claim 6 , wherein the flexible tube comprises a rigid core to have suitable strength and consistency and to allow a predetermined radius of curvature. 
     
     
         8 . System according to  claim 4 , further comprising a positioning system comprising at least two cables with respective first and second ends and which pass through respective pulleys anchored in positions horizontally distanced from the retaining wall, the first end of each cable being connected to the floating structure of a flexible tube and the second end of each cable being connected to a counterweight. 
     
     
         9 . System according to  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of flexible tubes connectable to the feed gate by means of a connecting element comprising an inlet for each flexible tube, the flexible tubes being secured to one another at a precise distance so that they work as a single tube. 
     
     
         10 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the water outlet is connected to the feed gate by means of a connection structure. 
     
     
         11 . System according to  claim 10 , wherein the connection structure comprises a frustoconical connection hopper. 
     
     
         12 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the floating structure comprises an annular float with a central aperture in which there is arranged a protective grate to prevent the entrance of foreign bodies through the water inlet. 
     
     
         13 . System according to  claim 12 , wherein the floating structure further comprises a cleaning system for cleaning the protective grate. 
     
     
         14 . System according to  claim 13 , wherein the cleaning system comprises at least one rotating cleaning blade arranged on the grate and an electric motor driving the cleaning blade. 
     
     
         15 . System according to  claim 14 , further comprising a photovoltaic power supply assembled in the floating structure and connected to the electric motor. 
     
     
         16 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the feed gate is connected to a hydraulic power station. 
     
     
         17 . System according to  claim 1 , wherein the feed gate is connected to a water drainage system. 
     
     
         18 . Method for reducing the downstream environmental impact of water extracted from a hydraulic dam, comprising:
 extracting only surface water and   directing the surface water to a feed gate of a retaining wall of the hydraulic dam by means of the system according to  claim 1 .