SILT REMOVAL THROUGH DREDGING WITH REFERENCE TO BALANCING RESERVOIR OF BSL PROJECT

Abstract

The planning and design of any. Irrigation / Hydroelectric project involve consideration of various parameters so that the system runs at peak efficiency as long as possible. One of the factors, which affects adversely the functioning and -life of any . . project is the silt. Weathering of rocks and disintegration, soil erosion, transportation, depositions are the continuing processes to produce the sediment and to bring it to reservoirs. This problem is more serious with run-of-river hydropower projects. Preventive and curative measures are taken in the form of excluders, ejectors and desilting chambers to reduce adverse impact of silt on electro-mechanical equipments of the power station and their efficiency. These are found effective in removing sediment upto a size of + 0.15 mm. Despite the provision of these measures serious damages to ,equipment have been experienced. These damages are caused due to fine angular quartz particles in the flow of many rivers. Settling tanks of larger size have been found effective in settling fine sediment in tanks. The removal of the settled sediment is a problem in such situations....