Miel I Dam

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Miel I Dam
Presa Patangoras - Rio La Miel (5572819555).jpg
Colombia relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of Miel I Dam in Colombia
Official name Presa Patángoras
Country Colombia
Location Norcasia
Coordinates 05°33′38″N74°53′12″W / 5.56056°N 74.88667°W / 5.56056; -74.88667 Coordinates: 05°33′38″N74°53′12″W / 5.56056°N 74.88667°W / 5.56056; -74.88667
Status Operational
Construction began 1997
Opening date 2002
Owner(s) ISAGEN
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
Impounds La Miel River
Height 188 m (617 ft)
Height (thalweg) 340 m (1,120 ft)
Elevation at crest 454 m (1,490 ft)
Dam volume 1,750,000 m3 (62,000,000 cu ft)
Spillway type Uncontrolled overflow
Spillway capacity 3,600 m3/s (130,000 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates Amani Reservoir
Total capacity 571,000,000 m3 (463,000 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area 770 km2 (300 sq mi) [1]
Surface area 1,220 ha (3,000 acres)
Normal elevation 445.5 m (1,462 ft)
Tidal range plant_name = Miel I Hydroelectric Power Plant
Power Station
Coordinates 5°34′36.71″N74°51′10.85″W / 5.5768639°N 74.8530139°W / 5.5768639; -74.8530139
Commission date 2002
Turbines 3 x 132 MW (177,000 hp) Francis-type
Installed capacity 396 MW (531,000 hp)
Annual generation 1,146 GWh (4,130 TJ)

The Miel I Dam, officially known as the Patángoras Dam, is a gravity dam on La Miel River just south of Norcasia in Caldas Department, Colombia. The dam was constructed between 1997 and 2002 for the primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. At the time of its completion, the dam was the tallest roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam in the world but was surpassed by the Longtan Dam in 2009.

Gravity dam

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold back water by primarily using the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it. Gravity dams are designed so that each section of the dam is stable, independent of any other dam section.

La Miel is a river in Colombia and a tributary of the Magdalena River. The river originates in the Cordillera Central of the Andes and its watershed is located within the Caldas Department. Tributaries of La Miel include the Tenerife, Salado, Manso, Moro, Pensilvania, Samana and Dulce rivers. The Miel I Dam is situated on the river.

Norcasia, Caldas Municipality and town in Caldas Department, Colombia

Norcasia is a town and municipality in the Colombian Department of Caldas.

Contents

Background

Designs for the dam were drawn up in 1992 and 1993 before bidding was carried out in December of that same year. An RCC design was chosen to reduce costs and risks associated with excavating a larger foundation for an arch dam. Funding was acquired for the project by December 1997 when construction began. The power plant was operational in 2002 and the project was completed in 59 months, seven months ahead of time. [2] The dam is part of the Miel I Hydroelectric Station and is officially called the Patángoras Dam but is commonly referred to as the Miel I Dam. [3]

Arch dam solid dam made of concrete that is curved upstream in plan

An arch dam is a concrete dam that is curved upstream in plan. The arch dam is designed so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes into its foundation or abutments. An arch dam is most suitable for narrow canyons or gorges with steep walls of stable rock to support the structure and stresses. Since they are thinner than any other dam type, they require much less construction material, making them economical and practical in remote areas.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was involved in the testing of the concrete for the dam. Drums of aggregates, cement, sand and soil were shipped to their North Pacific Division Materials Laboratory in Troutdale, Oregon. The materials were separated and tested for various properties. RCC concrete cylinders and beams were batched and poured. Tests were performed, for 7, 28, 90, 180 and 365 days. Tests included compressive strength, tensile strength, expansion, and slow load beams. The testing required almost 2 years to complete.

Design

The dam is a 340-metre (1,120 ft) long RCC gravity-type containing 1,750,000 cubic metres (2,290,000 cu yd) of concrete. It is located just east of the confluence of the Moro and La Miel Rivers. [3] At the center of the structure and running down its downstream dace, is an uncontrolled overflow spillway with a nominal capacity of 1,720 cubic metres per second (61,000 cu ft/s) and maximum discharge capacity of 3,600 cubic metres per second (130,000 cu ft/s) (at the dam's crest elevation of 454 metres (1,490 ft)). [2] A discharge tunnel is also located at the base of the dam, on its right bank, which has a capacity of 250 cubic metres per second (8,800 cu ft/s).

Amani Reservoir

The reservoir created by the dam, Amani Reservoir, has a storage capacity of 571 million cubic metres (463,000 acre⋅ft) and surface area of 1,220 hectares (3,000 acres). The reservoir's normal elevation above sea level is 445.5 metres (1,462 ft). On the left bank of the reservoir near the dam is the intake for the Miel I Hydroelectric Station which is controlled by two floodgates. In 2010 the Guarinó diversion dam on the Guarinó River was opened and the Manso diversion dam on the Manso River began operations in 2013. Both divert water into the Amani Reservoir through tunnels. [4]

Reservoir A storage space for fluids

A reservoir is, most commonly, an enlarged natural or artificial lake, pond or impoundment created using a dam or lock to store water.

Miel I Hydroelectric Power Plant

The Miel I Hydroelectric Power Plant receives water from the dam via a 6.5-metre (21 ft) diameter tunnel which splits into three 3.35 metres (11.0 ft) diameter penstocks before reaching each turbine. The power house is located underground and contains a machine, transformer and surge tank chambers. Power is produced by three 132 megawatts (177,000 hp) Francis turbine generators for a total installed capacity of 396 megawatts (531,000 hp). [3]

Penstock Intake structure that controls water flow to turbines or sewerage systems

A penstock is a sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow, or an enclosed pipe that delivers water to hydro turbines and sewerage systems. The term is inherited from the earlier technology of mill ponds and watermills.

Surge tank A water storage device to smooth pressure variations

Surge tank is a water storage device used as pressure neutralizer in hydropower water conveyance system to resists excess pressure rise and pressure drop conditions.

Francis turbine type of water turbine that was developed by James B. Francis in Lowell, Massachusetts

The Francis turbine is a type of water turbine that was developed by James B. Francis in Lowell, Massachusetts. It is an inward-flow reaction turbine that combines radial and axial flow concepts.

See also

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References

  1. "La Miel River Watershed". Condesan. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  2. 1 2 Eduardo Castell, Humberto Santana (26 January 2004). "RCC Record Breaker". International Water Power & Dam Construction. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Miel I Hydroelectric Power Plant". ISAGEN. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  4. "Miel I Hydroelectric Power Plant" (PDF). ISAGEN. Retrieved 21 December 2014.