Noise Generation and Acoustic Impact of Free Surface Hydropower Machines: Focus on Water Wheels and Emerging Challenges.

The noise generated by free surface hydropower machines, e.g., water wheels, has led to complaints and to restrictions in their operation in urban areas. This problem generally occurs when water wheels are not well designed and are installed without expertise. Despite the relevance of the problem, and the growing interest in the use of water wheels at existing low head barriers, the acoustic impact of water wheels has not yet been properly addressed by the scientific community. Therefore, in this manuscript, the importance of the problem and the related scientific challenges are discussed, supported by case studies and theoretical considerations. A literature review on the topic is carried out, although little information is available in the scientific domain. The aim of this work is to increase the awareness on this problem, in order to stimulate future research and to suggest useful guidelines for future water wheel projects, thereby increasing the water wheel potential and reducing noise disturbance for people.

DESARROLLO E IMPLEMENTACIÓN DE UNA NORIA MODIFICADA COMO PROPUESTA SOSTENIBLE DE RECIRCULACIÓN DE AGUA PARA UNA ESTACIÓN PISCÍCOLA / DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A MODIFIED WATERWHEEL AS A PROPOSAL FOR SUSTANTAINABLE WATER CIRCULATION FOR A FISHING STATION

Existen problemas de abastecimiento de agua en verano e invierno, en la Estación Piscícola de la Universidad de Caldas (Colombia). El trabajo muestra la manera como, por medio de un sistema de recirculación de agua, se provee a la Estación del líquido, de manera persistente, conservando parámetros fisicoquímicos aptos para el cultivo de peces. Cambios en el uso del suelo, como desarrollos urbanísticos, han generado impacto sobre la microcuenca que abastece la Estación. Surge la propuesta de reutilizar el agua mediante un modelo sostenible, adaptando un mecanismo ancestral: la Noria. Éste trabajo se desarrolló en tres etapas: recopilación de información, seguimiento e implementación de la propuesta. Para el montaje se requirió adaptar parte de la infraestructura existente de la Estación para recolectar el agua. El diseño de la Noria consta de un sistema de captación de agua (Cilindro con compartimentos) que impulsa un sistema de poleas y a su vez a la Noria modificada con canjilones, la cual capta agua (1,5 l/seg) y la elevan 7 m. Los parámetros físicoquímicos (temperatura, oxígeno y pH) y biológicos (macroinvertebrados acuáticos) permanecieron en rangos normales para un cultivo de peces tropicales. El diseño realizado es modular, no requiere energía eléctrica, ni mano de obra especializada para su mantenimiento, puede ser utilizado como una herramienta alterna en el sector agropecuario particularmente en el sector acuícola, donde se presenten dificultades hídricas, es de bajo costo y ambientalmente sostenible.

There are problems of water supply in the summer and the winter, in the Fishing Station of Universidad de Caldas (Colombia). This article shows how, by means of a water recirculation system, the Station is provided with the liquid persistently, keeping physicochemical parameters fit for fish farming. Changes in land use, such as urban development, have generated impact on the watershed that supplies the Station. Then, a proposal to reuse water through a sustainable model, adapting an ancestral mechanism surges: the Waterwheel. This work was developed in three stages: data collection, monitoring and implementation of the proposal. For the assembly adaption of part of the existing infrastructure of the Station to collect water was required. The design of the waterwheel consists of a water catchment system (cylinder with compartments) that drives a pulley system and in turn to the modified waterwheel with buckets, which capture the water (1.5 l / sec) and then raise it 7 m. The physicochemical parameters (temperature, oxygen and pH) and biological (macroinvertebrate) remained within normal ranges for a crop of tropical fish. The design developed is modular, it does not require electricity or skilled workforce for maintenance, it can be used as an alternative tool in agriculture particularly in the aquaculture sector where water difficulties arise, and it is inexpensive and environmentally sustainable .

Engineering and technology of industrial water power at Castleford Mills from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century.

This article tells the story of engineering and technology at Castleford Water Mills from the seventeenth century to the twentieth century through the presentation of recently discovered design plans and deeds, supplemented by other historical research. One of Castleford's mills was operated by Dr Thomas Allinson's Natural Food Company and therefore retained stoneground milling when fashions for white flour prompted other mills to switch to roller systems. The millstones were powered by a high-efficiency breastshot wheel, believed to be the last of its type taken out of industrial service in Britain. Many of its features, and its subsequent longevity, can be attributed to the influential works of William Fairbairn and John Smeaton. Detailed colour designs show the construction specifications of this water-wheel and its civil housing, along with other engineering plans such as a previously unrecorded Henry Simon horizontal turbine. Links with John Smeaton and the entry in his catalogue of designs for Castleford Oil Mill are also explored, and a former flood mill is identified at the site.