On October 18, Harbin Electric Group’s motor company announced a significant achievement: the successful manufacturing of the water distribution ring pipe, also known as the diversion pipe, for the Zhala impact-type water turbine. This marks the world’s first water distribution ring pipe for a 500-megawatt impact turbine, making it the largest single-unit capacity of its kind. This development signifies a major breakthrough in China’s hydropower equipment manufacturing.
The Zhala Hydropower Station, invested and constructed by China Datang Corporation, serves as a key facility in China’s “Electricity Export from Tibet” initiative and is a core project within the integrated clean energy base in southeastern Tibet. The station features the only 500-megawatt high-head, large-capacity impact water turbine generator set in China, serving as a demonstration project for this technology.
The facility is equipped with two 500-megawatt impact turbine generator sets, which represent the largest single unit capacity, the highest power, and the most advanced technology in the world, while also being the most challenging to manufacture. The water distribution ring pipe is one of the most critical structural and fluid-flow components of the impact turbine, operating under extremely harsh conditions. It continuously withstands immense water pressure, playing a crucial role in the stable operation of the generator set.
Harbin Electric Group’s motor company is one of the earliest enterprises in China to engage in the development of impact hydropower units. The water distribution ring pipe developed for this project is made up of twelve sections and is characterized by excellent hydraulic performance, high design pressure, large dimensions, moderate stress levels in the branch pipes, and a reasonable structural layout.
The intricate design of the water distribution ring pipe has increased its manufacturing and assembly complexity. To ensure that all sections could be assembled and accepted on the first attempt, the company innovatively integrated multiple technologies during the manufacturing process. Ultimately, they successfully developed the world’s first water distribution ring pipe for the Zhala 500-megawatt impact turbine, achieving a landmark feat in hydropower equipment production.
