Question

Water flows on the Amazon river near the cachoeira de Santuario waterfalls at a velocity 75 meters per second. If a low height run of the river turbine is installed that captures 10 cubic meters, what power will it generate

Answer 1

7.5 MW

Explanation:

The power generated from a falling water is a function of its height and volume. The power generated an be calculated using the formula:

Power (P) = Density(ρ) * volume flow rate(Q) * acceleration due to gravity(g) * height(h)

P = ρQgh

But Qh = Velocity(v) * volume(V).

Hence power = ρvgV

Given that ρ of water = 1000 kg/m³, v = 75 m/s, V = 10 m³, g = 10 m/s². Substituting:

P = ρvgV = 1000 * 75 * 10 * 10 = 7500000 W

P = 7.5 MW