Mini Hydro power generation in residential buildings

Even if the building contains a hundred units, you can't be sure of the constant supply.

to best do this, I would recommend you do a couple of things... aside from not connecting it to the waste pipe.

Assuming most water is coming from above, I would add a couple large, and potentially simple components to your desired system in the form of ....

A. an in line sludge tank to catch large bits that go down the sink etc. (easy pop of top for screened out treasures) followed by a large cistern of sorts that will drain through a micro water turbine when a float at the top pops the solinoid for the drain. if that fails, it would just go through the overflow pipe.

. you can then SEE when and how much water is being used, (add a $20 cycle counter!) and perhaps.. for the cherry on the pie... put a bundle of copper coils through the large tank that begin at the cold water supply and end in your hot water heaters cold water input.... that would go a long way to pre heating your hot water in addition to the cyclic battery charging. (in the winter.. it would be friggin awesome)

have fun...

let us know..

that's what i would try...

In large flats/apartments they use pumps to pump the water to the storage tank that is being kept on the top....If we place the setup after the pump exit...is it possible to get enough power?

Cheers

Vijay

Maybe I'm biased, but I still like my answer better.. I'd do it just for fun, and because it would be sooo cheap... plus, a closed micro turbine with a good head is more effective than you might think. ...and come on.. recapturing wasted drain pipe heat is a great idea that would make my proposal doubly effective and twice as green.

Even if you are charging 1 large battery, that's power that can used... right now and forever... and that kicks butt.

I don't need to tie into my electrical system to utilize the benefits.

I'll call MINE.. when i make one.... ..hmmm.. a 'waste water waste heat recovery system' ....may as well treat and use the grey water if I plan to tank up.... ... 3 !... (3WHR)

...with a simple investment, you are saving what would otherwise go right down the drain. I'd say it would be profitable if done correctly.

And remember to put a small 'wind' turbine into your venting channels for harvesting moving air energy.

---best,czes

yes, but. but for a single family residence it is not cost effective or practical. start with the practical. there is not enough flow. average water usage is 50 gallons per person per day. with only a few people, not enough flow per day. for an apartment building, maybe.

cost effective? spend your money for a solar panel. far more watts per day.

In large flats/apartments they use pumps to pump the water to the storage tank that is being kept on the top....If we place the setup after the pump exit...is it possible to get enough power?

Cheers

Vijay

JARAEF says yes, and I thought yes was the main answer.

I have seen some designs that depend on sizing and direction of flow mated to geared generators.

Just because it has not been done does not mean it can't be done.

12volts is not all that ambitious and I think would be possible if you did a cutout of the plumbing for that purpose.