Zotloterer Gravitational Vortex Power Plant

Zotloterer Gravitational Vortex Power Plant is a low head power plant invented by an Austrian engineer, Franz Zotlöterer. The power plant has a mechanical system that induces artificial vortex is a small shallow water storing arrangement. This slow moving vortex power plant can not only generate electricity but is also an efficient way for aerating water. Zotloterer power plant received a great deal of attention throughout the world because of its simple and cheap construction. Though a type of hydroelectric installation, the Zotloterer power plant is easy to construct, has zero environmental impact and is different from the conventional hydroelectric plants.

The new hydroelectric power plant is a natural way of generating electricity from the energy of flowing water of small rivers or similar water bodies. The main aim of the power plant is to create a stable gravitational vortex in front of the turbine inlet which increases the rotational motion of the water so that it impinges on the full circumference of the turbine. This gravitational vortex improves the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. Moreover, the innovative hydroelectric power plant also helps in aerating the water, thus making it cleaner and transparent.

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The main advantage of Zotloterer power plant is that it can be installed in a location having a water drop as low as 0.7 meters. If you observe closely, the shape of the vortex is similar to an upside down snail. The water enters a narrow channel or inlet which leads to a powerful vortex formed by the turbine. Water when exits the turbine finding its way out of the power plant through an outlet at the bottom. The main difference between this type of power plants and the conventional ones is that turbine doesn’t work on the pressure difference across its construction but on the dynamic force produced by the vortex. Moreover, the vortex aerate the water make it pollutant free and more transparent to the fishes

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http://blog.hasslberger.com/2007/06/water_vortex_drives_power_plan.html

http://www.zotloeterer.com/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/gravitational_vortex_power.php