Research Info

Title
Improving the pressurized flushing efficiency in reservoirs: an experimental study
Type Article
Keywords
Reservoir desilting, Flushing efficiency, Bottom outlet, Semi-circular structure.
Abstract
Sediment flushing in many reservoirs of the world is accomplished with low efficiency. In this study, a new configuration was proposed for reservoir bottom outlet to increase the pressurized flushing efficiency. In the new configuration, a projecting semi-circular structure was connected to the upstream edge of bottom outlet. It was observed that by employing the projecting bottom outlet, the sediment removal efficiency increased significantly compared to the flushing via typical bottom outlet. In the case of new-configuration bottom outlet with L sc /D outlet = 5.26 and D sc /D outlet = 1.32, the dimensionless length, width and depth of flushing cone increased 280%, 45% and 14%, respectively, compared to the reference test. The proposed structure can ensure the sustainable use of reservoirs.
Researchers Mohamad Reza Madadi (First researcher)
Majid Rahimpour (Second researcher)
Kourosh Qaderi (Third researcher)