Steel gates in hydropower stations are critical equipment, primarily used to control water flow, regulate water levels, and protect the safety of generating units. The following are the main types, structures, and technical features:
Types and Structures
Steel gates can be categorized into three types based on structure: fixed-wheel flat gates, radial gates, and integrated machine-gate units. The main material is typically low-carbon steel plate, treated with sandblasting for rust removal and hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion protection. As a key type, tailrace gates are often installed at the outlet of the draft tube, adopting a fixed-wheel flat gate structure to achieve flow control and unit protection through bidirectional sealing functionality. ?
Functions and Applications
?Flow Regulation: Precise water level control is achieved through hoist operation, ensuring stable unit operation.
?Emergency Protection: Rapid closure in emergencies prevents water loss and uncontrolled accidents.
?Structural Optimization: Sectional manufacturing technology reduces installation difficulty, with the maximum single section weighing up to 37.2 tons. ?
Sealing and Corrosion Protection
Sealing performance can reach 0.72 liters per minute per meter. Long-term corrosion protection is achieved through sandblasting and hot-dip galvanizing processes, making it suitable for applications such as river management, hydropower station water diversion, and municipal flood control.