Question

Hoover dam on the colorado river is the highest dam in the united states at 221 m, with an output of 1300 mw. the dam generates electricity with water taken from a depth of 150 m and an average flow rate of 650m3/s. (a) calculate the power in this flow. (b) what is the ratio of this power to the facility's average of 680 mw?

Answer 1

Height (h)= 150 m, 650 m3 /s.
150 m, average flow rate = 650 m3 /s.
Power = force x velocity, velocity = flow rate /area.
Power flow= force x flow rate /area.Pressure = force / areaPower flow= pressure x flow rateNow,
a) Pressure = h ρ g
Pressure = 150 m * 1000 kg/m3 * 9.81 m/s^2
Pressure = 1471500 Nm^2
=> Power flow= 1471500 Nm^2 * 650 =956475000 W = 9.56 ×10^8 W

b)Ratio of this power to the facility = Power flow / average power
b)Ratio of this power to the facility = Power flow / average power
Ratio of this power to the facility = 9.56 × 10^8 W / 680 MWRatio of this power to the facility = 0.0405 ×10^2
Ratio of this power to the facility = 1.405