Hydraulic Steel Construction completed at Rotzloch power station in Switzerland

Wiegert & Bähr was selected supplier of the entire hydraulic steel structure at the water intake of Rotzloch small hydropower station in Central Switzerland. The scope of delivery included as well the complete hydraulic actuation system and the electric control unit.

For removing even smallest particles from turbine discharge water a so called Coanda Screen was installed. This special screen is completely made of stainless steel and does not need maintenance or cleaning. Only clear water can pass the special designed gaps between the rack bars thus protecting the  turbine runner from extended wear and tear especially at high head installations.

A hydraulically operated fish-beam flap gate of stainless steel was installed for water intake level control and for flood relief. The flap gate is actuated by  one single hydraulic cylinder on the right side of the flap and it is equipped with a heated slide wall.

Last but not least a fully automatic pipe break protection device was installed for safety reasons. This pipe break protection operates self actuated  without auxiliary energy. In the event of break of the penstock and increased flow velocity, the hydraulic butterfly valve closes the penstock automatically by dead weight.

The complete installation was commissioned according to time schedule end of March.