In a general aspect, a system can include a reactor for combusting fuel and producing high-temperature, high-pressure liquid as a byproduct, and at least one vessel defining a cavity to be partially filled with water, with an air pocket within the cavity above the water. The system can further include respective valves to control admission of liquid from the reactor into the air pocket when the air pocket has a pressure lower than an operating pressure of the reactor, and to control emission of the water from the at least one vessel through of the vessel after the water in the at least one vessel has been pressurized by the liquid from the reactor. The system can also include a hydroelectric drive system for receiving water emitted from the cavity, and for converting energy in the received water into electrical energy.

In a general aspect, a system can include a reactor for combusting fuel and producing high-temperature, high-pressure liquid as a byproduct, and at least one vessel defining a cavity to be partially filled with water, with an air pocket within the cavity above the water. The system can further include respective valves to control admission of liquid from the reactor into the air pocket when the air pocket has a pressure lower than an operating pressure of the reactor, and to control emission of the water from the at least one vessel through of the vessel after the water in the at least one vessel has been pressurized by the liquid from the reactor. The system can also include a hydroelectric drive system for receiving water emitted from the cavity, and for converting energy in the received water into electrical energy.

Fuel mixed in water is combusted in a reactor having an internal operating pressure and temperature greater than 3200 psi and greater than 374° C., where the combustion of the fuel is exothermic. Air and fuel are pressurized for introduction into the reactor to a pressure greater than the internal operating pressure using energy generated from the combustion of the fuel, and the pressurized air and the pressurized fuel are injected into the reactor. Pressurized water from the reactor is injected into a drive water column that is partially filled with water to increase a pressure of the drive water column, and water at a temperature less than 100° C. is injected into the reactor to replace water from the reactor that is injected into the drive water column. Pressurized water from the drive water column is used to drive a hydroelectric drive system to produce electrical power.

Disclosed herein is a hydropower electric generator, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the hydropower electric generator may include a closed conduit. Further, the closed conduit may include a reservoir, a downward flow pipe, a horizontal pipe, an upward flow pipe. Further, the downward flow pipe may include a first turbine configured to intercept the downward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the upward flow pipe may include an airlift assembly configured to receive compressed air into the upward flow pipe. Further, the upward flow pipe may include a second turbine configured to intercept an upward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an air pump configured to generate the compressed air based on electrical energy. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an energy storage device.

Disclosed herein is a hydropower electric generator, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the hydropower electric generator may include a closed conduit. Further, the closed conduit may include a reservoir, a downward flow pipe, a horizontal pipe, an upward flow pipe. Further, the downward flow pipe may include a first turbine configured to intercept the downward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the upward flow pipe may include an airlift assembly configured to receive compressed air into the upward flow pipe. Further, the upward flow pipe may include a second turbine configured to intercept an upward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an air pump configured to generate the compressed air based on electrical energy. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an energy storage device.

An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a re-direction of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.

An accelerated and/or redirected flow arrangement, optimally serving as a wildlife and/or debris excluder (WDE), is used in combination with a turbine-like device having an inlet end and an outlet end for fluid flowing therethrough, e.g., a hydro-turbine. The arrangement includes at least a forward part designed to be placed in front of a fluid inlet of a turbine-like device and configured to produce at least one of the following effects on the fluid: (a) imparting a re-direction of the fluid; and/or (b) accelerating the flow velocity of the fluid, as it flows through the forward part. Turbine-like devices having both a forward part and a rearward part of flow arrangement are disclosed, as well as a method of enhancing turbine performance.

Disclosed herein is a hydropower electric generator, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the hydropower electric generator may include a closed conduit. Further, the closed conduit may include a reservoir, a downward flow pipe, a horizontal pipe, an upward flow pipe. Further, the downward flow pipe may include a first turbine configured to intercept the downward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the upward flow pipe may include an airlift assembly configured to receive compressed air into the upward flow pipe. Further, the upward flow pipe may include a second turbine configured to intercept an upward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an air pump configured to generate the compressed air based on electrical energy. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an energy storage device.

Disclosed herein is a hydropower electric generator, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the hydropower electric generator may include a closed conduit. Further, the closed conduit may include a reservoir, a downward flow pipe, a horizontal pipe, an upward flow pipe. Further, the downward flow pipe may include a first turbine configured to intercept the downward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the upward flow pipe may include an airlift assembly configured to receive compressed air into the upward flow pipe. Further, the upward flow pipe may include a second turbine configured to intercept an upward flow of the water and generate rotational force. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an air pump configured to generate the compressed air based on electrical energy. Further, the hydropower electric generator may include an energy storage device.

A facility for generating electricity, including a water source and a plurality of penstocks adapted for selective flow communication with the water source for delivering water from the water source to a turbine electricity generator. An electricity distribution system is provided having a first component adapted to deliver electricity generated by the turbine electricity generator to an electric grid and an alternative second component adapted to use the electricity to power an air compressor. A compressed air storage reservoir is provided for storing air compressed by the air compressor, including an outlet for selectively delivering the compressed air to the plurality of penstocks according to a predetermined sequence for providing energy to the water contained in the penstock to propel the water from the penstock to the turbine.