Water intakes
Small hydropower plants

Intake design plays an important role in the ease of operation and service life of turbines.

The designer must take into account the amount of sediment transported by the watercourse, so as to create sand traps to prevent wear on pipes and wheels. In some cases, an overflow valve is required. Filtration grids must be mechanically dimensioned so as not to vibrate under the effect of flowing water, and to withstand pressure. In the event of clogging, they are stressed in the same way as a valve. The spacing of the bars, if not fixed for fish farming reasons, must under no circumstances allow the passage of floating or sunken bodies that could damage the impeller.