Harvesting energy from pipelines

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of harvesting hydropower from pipelines, particularly in the context of intermittent flow and potential energy storage for small devices. Participants explore various aspects of energy extraction, including the implications of pipeline dynamics and energy sources.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that hydropower could be harvested from pipelines despite non-continuous flow, suggesting the possibility of generating and storing energy for small devices.
  • Others question the source of the energy that could be extracted, pointing out that most pipelines are pumped and would require additional energy input to allow for energy extraction.
  • It is noted that potential energy is typically associated with long-distance fluid transfer, such as in aqueducts, and that most pipelines do not operate under similar conditions.
  • One participant argues that potential energy can also be harnessed from systems like dams, where water at rest has potential energy, but acknowledges that the energy available from a low tank head would be limited.
  • Concerns are raised about the energy loss in hydroelectric systems, particularly after water has passed through generators, leading to minimal energy available for further extraction.
  • Some participants highlight specific applications, such as self-powered flow meters, where energy harvesting might be viable.
  • There is a suggestion that extracting energy from halfway down a pipeline would reduce the energy available at the end, indicating a potential limitation in the proposed method.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views on the feasibility and practicality of harvesting energy from pipelines. Participants express differing opinions on the sources of energy and the implications of extracting energy from fluid systems.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations related to the energy dynamics of pipelines and the specific conditions under which energy harvesting might be effective. There are unresolved questions about the efficiency and practicality of proposed methods.

Pranav_Indian
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why can't we go for harvesting hydropower from the pipelines, eventhough the flow is not continuous we can generate and store it,,, and can use it for small devices..
 
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Pranav_Indian said:
why can't we go for harvesting hydropower from the pipelines, eventhough the flow is not continuous we can generate and store it,,, and can use it for small devices..
Welcome to the PF.

And where would that extra energy come from that you are extracting along the way in the pipelines...? :smile:
 
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berkeman said:
Welcome to the PF.

And where would that extra energy come from that you are extracting along the way in the pipelines...? :smile:
its the potential energy stored in the tank...
 
Pranav_Indian said:
its the potential energy stored in the tank...
Potential energy is only used for long distance slow liquid transfer (like water aqueducts transferring water long distances). Most pipelines are pumped, so you would need to add extra pumping power at the source to give you any excess energy to extract along the way...

http://www.prohim.com.tr/files/cache/431b5a2c9e79b65a44a1957295942aec_f857.jpg
http://www.prohim.com.tr/files/cache/431b5a2c9e79b65a44a1957295942aec_f857.jpg
 
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berkeman said:
Potential energy is only used for long distance slow liquid transfer (like water aqueducts transferring water long distances). Most pipelines are pumped, so you would need to add extra pumping power at the source to give you any excess energy to extract along the way...

http://www.prohim.com.tr/files/cache/431b5a2c9e79b65a44a1957295942aec_f857.jpg
http://www.prohim.com.tr/files/cache/431b5a2c9e79b65a44a1957295942aec_f857.jpg
potential energy is not only used for long distance slow fluid transfer, what in the case of a dam.. there the fluid at rest have a potential energy and that one is routed to harnish electricity... but there we get a continuous high velocity jet of stream due to the high water head, but in case of a tank head is low, so we will go for small application devices
 
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Pranav_Indian said:
potential energy is not only used for long distance slow fluid transfer, what in the case of a dam.. there the fluid at rest have a potential energy and that one is routed to harnish electricity... but there we get a continuous high velocity jet of stream due to the high water head, but in case of a tank head is low, so we will go for small application devices
After the dam water has fallen down through the hydroelectric generators, it has lost most its potential energy. The water flow out of hydroelectric dam facilities has very little energy left, and just flows slowly down the river, or is pumped to local water utilities.

There is some energy that can be harvested from tides, and we've had a few threads about that here at the PF. You can find more threads about energy harvesting by doing a PF search. :smile:
 
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berkeman said:
After the dam water has fallen down through the hydroelectric generators, it has lost most its potential energy. The water flow out of hyddroelectric dam facilities has very little energy left, and just flows slowly down the river, or is pumped to local water utilities.

There is some energy that can be harvested from tides, and we've had a few threads about that here at the PF. You can find more threads about energy harvesting by doing a PF search. :smile:
ok sir... thank you for your wordz...
 
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Pranav_Indian said:
why can't we go for harvesting hydropower from the pipelines,
You can. [ref]
eventhough the flow is not continuous we can generate and store it,,, and can use it for small devices..
"small devices"?
Is it safe to assume you were thinking of adding a hydroelectric generator to your showerhead?

hmmm... Were you of member of Michio Kaku's forum about 10 years ago?

[someone] 05-12-2007 09:01 AM
Generating Electricity from supplied water
Water is being pumped into our homes constantly...​
[OmCheeto]; Check for leaks!​

Always the comedian...:rolleyes:
 
There are cases where harvesting pumping energy would be considered acceptable, such as for a self-powered flow meter (aren't they all?), but I'm not sure that is what the OP had in mind...
 
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If you extract energy half way down a pipe there will be less energy available at the end of the pipe. Otherwise I see no problem with the OP.
 
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