Ecotechnical method V – IşalniŃa Dam

Răzvan Voicu

rzvnvoicu@yahoo.com,getiiliberi@gmail.com,

Another system of fish migrating downstream - upstream is described in the

following text and known as the funicular system. A metal rail with resistant rubber

exterior will be attach to support pillar on the right side of the sluice, in the direction of

water flow, upstream of the obstacle 1 of Isalnita Dam (figure 1).

support pillar of the dam

resistant rubber

rail fastening system

metal rail I

sluice

concrete threshold

Jiu River

Figure 1 Positioning of vertical rail on the pillar support – the indicative scheme

Welded to first rail, the second rail will be circular shape placed horizontally

(figure 2). The second rail will pass over the sluice and will be welded to the third

vertical sluice. The third sluice, which is vertically positioned, will be fixed downstream

from the sluice and has the very same fastening system as the first metal rail. (figure 3).

sluice

the third rail - III the second rail - II the first rail - I

Jiu River

Figure 2 Positioning of horizontal rail on the pillar support – the indicative

scheme

support pillar of the dam resistant rubber

rail fastening system III

the third rail III

sluice

Figura 3 Positioning of the third metal rail - III – the indicative scheme

These three rails are welded together and are designed to transport a (funicular)

tank over the sluice. This tank which is designed to transport ichthyofauna upstream and

downstream from the sluice has a door that closes and opens vertically and three different

fastening systems. The first fastening system is fixed to another mobile fastening system.

The mobile fastening system is placed on the first rail, it can slide and it is powered by

an electric or oil motor. This motor operates according to the rack system having a ratchet

pinion and being positioned on the lateral side of the rail I (figure 4).

teeth on one side of the metal rail

rack system motor

ratchet pinion

Figure 4 Positioning of the rack-system motor – indicative scheme

The system fastening the funicular tank to the metal bar is mobile and varies

depending on the maximum height reached by the tank on the first metal rail. The

funicular tank transporting ichthyofauna has two identical fastening systems on the two

rails: rail I and rail III. (Figure. 5).

funicular tank

fastening system for rail II

ichthyofauna gate

fastening system for rail I

fastening system for rail III

Figure 5 Positioning of the fastening systems on the funicular tank – indicative

scheme

The funicular tank is provided with an automatic gate perpendicularly positioned

to the Jiu River for the rail I and, in case of the rail III, the funicular tank will be inversely

positioned in order to be taken over by a canal for ichthyofauna migration downstream of

the dam. After the funicular tank has reached the rail I at the maximum height, another

fastening system of the sleeve supporting the motor with ratchet pinion is automatically

attached to the fastening system of the rail II. After attaching to the semi-circular rail II,

the rail II fastening system automatically opens so the funicular tank is fixed only to rail

II. Motor rack system on the rail II will carry the funicular tank over the sluice towards

the metal rail III. The fastening system on the funicular tank will automatically be

attached to the rail III. Afterwards, the fastening system on the rail II will automatically

be detached. Thus, the funicular tank reaches the rail III in the Jiu River by the means of

the third rack system motor. (figure 6).Sina II este compusa la randul ei din doua modul

astfel incat sa permita ca stavila sa fie manevrata in diferite pozitii inclusive cea maxima.

Astfel stavila poate fi inlocuita sau reparata.

metal rail III

funicular tank

Figure 6 Positioning of funicular tank downstream from the sluice – indicative

scheme

In turn, the rail II consists of two modules in order to allow the sluice to be

handled in different positions including the maximum. Thus, the sluice can be replaced or

repaired. A semi-circular tank containing at least two thirds water will be attached to the

support pillar of the dam where the metal rails are positioned. This tank will be fixed on

the metal pillars and have a length of about one hundred meters to where fish fauna

migrates.(figure 7)

Jiu River

funicular tank

dam support pillar dam support pillar

sluice

Figure 7 Positioning of the ichthyofauna reception canal from the funicular tank –

indicative scheme

When reaching the minimum position of gate opening, the funicular tank

downstream from the sluice is inside a metal fence and is on the same line with semi-

circular tank taking over the ichthyofauna (figure 8 and figure 9).

reservoir for

ichthyofauna resting

semi-circular canal funicular tank Jiu River Isalnita Dam

protection fence

gate 1 with automatic opening

Figura 8 Positioning of the semi-circular canal and of the funicular tank

protection fence

funicular tank

semi-circular canal

supporting metal pillars of semi-circular canal

and protection fence

gate 2 with automatic opening gate 1 with automatic opening

Figure 9 Positioning of the semi-circular canal and of the funicular tank, cross

section – indicative scheme

After the funicular tank has reached the proper place, which is protected by a

metal fence, a vertical gate of the funicular tank opens in the circular canal so that the fish

can pass directly into the canal and reach the Jiu River. After the fish have left the

funicular tank (this can be seen thanks to a sensor located in the tank for ichthyofauna),

the vertical gate 1 automatically closes and another gate (2) opens; it is horizontally

positioned and can be found at the base of the funicular tank. Period of time when the

gate 2stays open is calculated based on the number of individuals who migrate upstream -

downstream from Isalnita Dam. Everything is automated and monitored with video

cameras. Channel for Ichthyofauna migration reaches a bank for fish fauna resting and

migration upstream developed on the Jiu River (figure 10).

resting tank for fish fauna fish fauna migration canal

Figure 10 Positioning the fish fauna resting tank on the Jiu River

This ecotehnical solution hasn’t got any expensive costs; the components can be

easily replaced and can be applied anywhere in the world without damaging aquatic

ecosystems.

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Bucharest

2012