The primary challenge was to negotiate the difficult topography in the largest branch canal of the Narmada Project canal system and ensure a continuous and smooth flow of water for irrigation requirements in over 4,000 drought affected towns and villages in the ascending Saurashtra region. To overcome this challenge, KBL designed the world’s largest pumping scheme which included three power stations and five pumping stations. Faced by the additional challenge of a vacuum created in the curvature of the pipeline which reduced the flow of water, Pro/ENGINEER was used to conduct a volume analysis, design and develop a prototype of the siphon and accurately determine the exact placement of the siphon on the pump.
The successful completion of this project resulted in enriching the lives of thousands of people living in over 4,000 drought affected villages in the Saurashtra and Kutch region by providing drinking water, hydroelectric power and irrigation across 5.4 lakh hectares of land. The innovative siphon design enabled a significant saving of power, cost and also increased the operational efficiency of the plant. The energy savings resulting from using the innovative concept is expected to save energy units of 8.6 MW that corresponds to approximately $5 Million USD per year. The project was conceptualized, designed, executed and commissioned under the leadership of Shri Ramesh K. Srivastava, director, Kirlsokar Brothers Ltd.
“The Narmada Project saw KBL faced with a never before seen technological challenge. With a combination of research, innovation and team work, combined with the best of breed CAD technology of PTC’s Pro/ENGINEER, KBL’s Engineering division was able to successfully overcome this challenge,” said Dr. J T Kshirsagar, vice president, corporate research & engineering division, Kirloskar Brothers Limited. “The most significant result of this project has been the enrichment of the lives of thousands of people living in over 4,000 drought affected villages in the area, while also lowering operating costs of the system.”
“We are pleased to be a part of this social initiative with Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. With the successful completion of the Saurashtra Branch Canal project, PTC has reiterated its commitment to providing best in class solutions that not only address the business needs of our customers, but also enable them to overcome unique technological and innovation challenges,” said Mr. Rafiq Somani, country manager, PTC India. “We are particularly proud to be associated with a project that has such a major impact on the lives and livelihood of thousands of farmers.”
KBL has been a pioneer in conducting research in order to provide fluid handling solutions, achieve technological break through using advanced computational and experimental techniques and develop reliable and state of the art products. The company has engineered large vertical energy efficient pumps and concrete volume pumps for power projects, water supply and irrigation schemes and Hydel Turbines for small Hydel power projects. It also holds the distinction of being the only pump manufacturing company in India to have manufactured canned motor pumps for hazardous chemicals in nuclear plants.
About Sardar Sarovar Project:
The Narmada Dam Project is a project involving the construction of a series of large hydroelectric dams on the Narmada River (Narbada River) in India. Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is the largest multipurpose project involved in the construction. The project took form in 1979 as part of a development scheme to increase irrigation and produce hydroelectricity. Of the 30 large dams planned on the river Narmada, Sardar Sarovar is the largest. The multipurpose project will irrigate more than 18,000 square kilometers-most of it in drought prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujurat, India
About KBL
Incorporated in the year 1920 Kirloskar Brothers Limited, (KBL) is the acknowledged leader in fluid handling and largest manufacturer and exporter of pumps in India. The company’s product range includes a wide range of energy efficient centrifugal pumps for agriculture, domestic, industrial, process and general applications and large vertical pumps and concrete volute pumps for power projects, water supply and lift irrigation schemes, ranging from small domestic pumps of 0.1kW to large pumps of 12000 kW. For more information please visit: http://web.kbl.co.in/.
About PTC
