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Smith Engineering - Waterwheels
Design and manufacture of high efficiency, flat pack, overshot waterwheels, generating electricity from flows between 100 to 500 litres per second and heads 2 to 6 metres. Generate electricity 24/7, efficiently and predictably from the watercourse at your premises with our innovative design of an ancient technology. Smith Engineering waterwheels are built to a high specification following research and development in bucket design and efficiency. The novel design achieves approximately 75% water-to-wire efficiency.
To calculate total available power at 100% efficiency is:
Fall (in metres) x Flow (litres per second) x Gravity 9.81
= Power (Watts).
(e.g. 4.1 x 200 x 9.81 = 8,044 Watts)
For 75% efficiency the total available power is:
8,044 Watts x 75% = 6033 watts (6kW)
During construction, the waterwheel components can be lifted in place without the need for heavy lifting machinery, reducing installation time and health and safety risks. This also allows assembly in areas with limited access e.g. rural areas with narrow roads. Annual bearing lubrication is the only regular maintenance requirement and the modular design ensures components are easily replaced if required.
Dependent on their location, the total installation cost of Smith Engineering waterwheels is similar to micro turbines.
- Supplied as flat pack kit
- Simple design - use of bolts instead of welding
- Easy assembly - no requirement for special tools
- Rapid assembly - minimum number of components used (approximately 2 weeks for whole system)
- Cost effective materials - constructed of pre-galvanised laser cut sheet
- Durable - greater than 25 years lifetime
- High water-to-wire efficiency - approximately 75%
- Easy maintenance - only annual greasing required
- Modular design ensures easy component replacement
- Elegant design - attraction for visitors
- Bespoke - each wheel built to customer requirements