Hidreletricidade do rio Solimões usando um "cata-água"

Harry Harwood, Johnde Almeida, Ronaldo

Summary Eletricity was generated by the current of the Amazon river (rio Solimões) using an apparatus ressembling an underwater windmill. The machine, a free-floating structure ancored to the river-bed, comprised a twelve-bladed, fantype turbine of 2m. diametre held submerged beneath two floates, facing the current. A bicycle chain around the circumference of the turbine transmitted the rotation via multiplying gears to a car alternator. In a current of 0,6 m.s.-1 the power generated was 40 W representing an overall eficiency of 12%. The experiment demonstrates the feasability of generating power from river currents without using dams or waterfalls. The technology is considered highly appropriate to the Amazonian region where a rural eletricity grid is enexistent. Work is continuing on the design of a commercial unit.