Difference between revisions of "Water Portal / Rainwater Harvesting / Surface water / Tyrolean weir"

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[[Image:tyrweir.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Man checking the grid at a Tyrolean weir, Tanzania]]
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Dams and water inlet structures in embankments are vulnerable and expensive elements in river-fed water systems. They are easily damaged by floods, underflow, seepage and suffer from build-up of sediment or rubbish in the water. The Tyrolean weir forms a more reliable and cheaper alternative. Water is abstracted through a screen (or inlet) over a gutter, usually made of concrete and built into the riverbed. The screen on the crest should slope downstream (15-30 degrees), to increase flow velocities and prevent sediment carried by the stream from blocking it. From the gutter, water enters a pipeline, which drains into a sedimentation tank and then flows by gravity into the rest of the system.  
 
Dams and water inlet structures in embankments are vulnerable and expensive elements in river-fed water systems. They are easily damaged by floods, underflow, seepage and suffer from build-up of sediment or rubbish in the water. The Tyrolean weir forms a more reliable and cheaper alternative. Water is abstracted through a screen (or inlet) over a gutter, usually made of concrete and built into the riverbed. The screen on the crest should slope downstream (15-30 degrees), to increase flow velocities and prevent sediment carried by the stream from blocking it. From the gutter, water enters a pipeline, which drains into a sedimentation tank and then flows by gravity into the rest of the system.  
 
  
 
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! style="background:#ffdead;" | Disadvantages
 
! style="background:#ffdead;" | Disadvantages
 
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| valign="top" | More reliable and cheaper compared to dams and water inlet structures in embankments<br>
 
| valign="top" | <br>
 
| valign="top" | <br>
| valign="top" | <br>
 
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== Costs ==
 
== Costs ==
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* The weir or intake should be carefully sited.  
 
* The weir or intake should be carefully sited.  
 
* The weir itself does not clean or purify the water.
 
* The weir itself does not clean or purify the water.
* Regular inspection and cleaning of the grit / rack and possibly the gutter and sedimentation tank is required during and after storm periods.
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== Maintenaince ==
  
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* Regular inspection and cleaning of the grit / rack and possibly the gutter and sedimentation tank is required during and after storm periods.
  
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
* General Background [http://www.aquaforall.nl www.aquaforall.nl]
 
* General Background [http://www.aquaforall.nl www.aquaforall.nl]

Revision as of 11:09, 30 May 2008

File:Tyrweir.jpg
Man checking the grid at a Tyrolean weir, Tanzania

Dams and water inlet structures in embankments are vulnerable and expensive elements in river-fed water systems. They are easily damaged by floods, underflow, seepage and suffer from build-up of sediment or rubbish in the water. The Tyrolean weir forms a more reliable and cheaper alternative. Water is abstracted through a screen (or inlet) over a gutter, usually made of concrete and built into the riverbed. The screen on the crest should slope downstream (15-30 degrees), to increase flow velocities and prevent sediment carried by the stream from blocking it. From the gutter, water enters a pipeline, which drains into a sedimentation tank and then flows by gravity into the rest of the system.

Advantages Disadvantages
More reliable and cheaper compared to dams and water inlet structures in embankments

Costs

  • Material (excluding the pipe and sedimentation tank): US$ 300 - 600.
  • Labour (if site is easily accessible): 30 - 50 man days.
  • Operation and maintenance: several visits per year for inspection, cleaning and minor repairs. Overall easy to carry out due to low-tech structure and the use of local labour and materials.


Applying conditions

  • Tyrolean intakes are used in small permanent rivers and streams where the sediment content and bed load transport are low, or on the crest of a dam spill.
  • The threshold can be a concrete elevation above the rocky bed of a mountain stream, or a vertical low weir structure, anchored in the embankment.
  • The capacity of the inlet pipe / drain (diameter and gradient) should be 30% more than the design flow and have an uniform gradient to prevent accumulation of sand.
  • The sedimentation tank can accumulate 1.5-2 m3 of deposits and allows water to filter for 10 to 30 minutes at very low speed. It is cleaned by washing it out.


Considerations

  • The weir or intake should be carefully sited.
  • The weir itself does not clean or purify the water.


Maintenaince

  • Regular inspection and cleaning of the grit / rack and possibly the gutter and sedimentation tank is required during and after storm periods.


External links