4.

2 Settling basin (sand trap)

The settling basin is located downstream of the intake and permits to separate the sand from the
incoming water and to prevent them from settling in the headrace conduit or being carried
through the turbine, which causes abrasion and a decrease of the turbine’s life and efficiency.
The longitudinal settling basin consists of one or two chambers of sufficient length with sloping
bottoms to allow the sediment particles to settle down. Before entering the main basin, water will
pass through a transition part with stilling rack system for creating a uniform flow distribution. In
the high mountains the desander basins have to be protected in certain cases against
avalanches and stonefalls. They can be built into caverns or covered with concrete plates. In
lower regions, the desanders do not have to be covered.
For the purpose of this study, two well known types of settling basins, the Bieri and Büchi
flushing systems have been selected.

4.2.1 Bieri flushing system

In Bieri type the sediments which settle in the basin are flushed vertically through the opening
into the channel and back to the river [1] (Figure 4.10). The flushing water volume is therefore
minimized and energy production is ensured even during the flushing procedure. For about 50
years, more than 80 Bieri flushing systems have been in operation around the world [19].

Canal Racks Settling basin Weir

a) b)

Servomotor Flushing unit Bieri Flushing channel Flushing gate

Figure 4.10: Layout of Bieri sediment trap: a) Longitudinal section; b) cross section [1]

4.2.1.1 Basin unit

The water flows through the basin in the longitudinal direction, and the overflow structure at the
end of the basin maintains an adequate water level, and regular flow through the basin. The sand
flushing unit is installed at the bottom of the V-shaped desander basin (Figure 4.11). An inlet gate
is necessary for drainage of the desander for inspections and maintenance work and is fully
opened during operation. The sand flushing gate also serves as an emergency closing gate in
the event of any of the flushing units becoming blocked in the open position.
b)
a)

Figure 4.11: a) Longitudinal view of a Bieri system; b) Different components of Bieri flushing system [19]

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