Programmable Logic Controller Using Fuzzy Logic for Water Gate Re-Design and Condition Monitoring for Dams
The research on gate control work presents the concept of regulating the flow of water by controlling the dam gates or shutters using servo-motors in order to manage the dam water level. Water level control and insufficient water supply are the major challenges at the hydropower company (HDPC). The system at this dam site consists of the outlet works tower with four outlet penstocks that collects water to the main discharge outlet. The automation implements the electronic control system that uses the programmable logic controller (PLC) and the optical level sensors to detect water level. For the new design, the power screw hoist mechanism is used to open and close the gate of weight 600N with the efficiency of 35.4% of the square thread screw. The gate takes 160 seconds to travel a vertical distance of 600mm in its guide, to fully open and close the 400mm penstock diameter. Mat-lab Simulink was used to control the electronic system for stability to avoid vibrations and fluctuation of speed.