Guatemala Hydroelectric Plant
The project consists of a low-pressure pipeline to a surge chamber where it connects with the locked ductile iron pipe of DN 36″ from CONSTRUTEC DUKTIL.
The pipeline runs through an orographic area with a steep slope, complicated for any alternative that requires concrete blocks due to their high cost given the complex installation conditions of the pipes, especially in the final section connecting to the powerhouse where a bifurcation is required to split the pipe and connect with the two turbines. All this in a slope section and without requiring anchoring.
Supply
In the case of the hydroelectric plant, CONSTRUTEC's engineering services participated in the design of the pipeline, modeling the system with specialized software. The surge chamber was designed with all its elements, and detailed engineering, installation manual, and supervision of the pipeline construction phase were developed. The pressure test criteria were defined.
CONSTRUTEC supplied all the necessary equipment to achieve perfect operation: Ductile iron pipes in DN 36″ + 24″, as well as all its elbows, tees, connection terminals with the surge chamber and connection with the powerhouse, including all the necessary valves and dismantling spools.
The entire penstock pipeline was executed with pipe with the double chamber locked joint system (Lok&Play) of USA origin and dimensional criteria of the AWWA standard.
The chosen internal lining has been Portland cement with Seal coat and the external protection zinc 200 g/m2 and a black bitumen topcoat, a classic in iron pipes that covers 90% of the terrains where the pipes are installed.
Project Success Keys
- 40% reduction in the initial budget with anchors, providing greater safety, useful life, and long-term profitability, without maintenance costs.
- Supervision and control up to the pressure test by the design team itself.
Benefits and Advantages
- No need for concrete blocks (no expansion joints)
- Very high installation performance: Lok&Play (plug and play)
- Very complex areas and extreme slopes
- Admits very high pressures
- With or without trench
- No welding, no problems, even in flooded trenches
- Minimal head losses
- Operation guarantee, without breakdowns or service interruptions
- Replacement of obsolete steel pipes
