A Substitute Technology for the Currently Applied Bridge-Like Water Intake along the River Nile in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Nile Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation

2 Coastal Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation

Abstract

Bridge-like intakes are structures extended into open channels carrying suction pipes to reach out to sufficient water depths that can secure permanent abstraction. Such intakes have been found to suffer problems that threaten their performances. The present study aims to highlight these problems and introduce a new technology as a substitute solution. Three problems could be identified by continuous field surveys and monitoring. First, the sediment accumulation at the suction pipe inlet clogs the strainer holes and obstructs water abstraction. Second, the offshore water surface recession due to water stage fluctuation or sediment accumulation causes water surface to be inaccessible to the pipe inlet. Third, the stationary inlet position aggravates the other two problems. A case study of a bridge-like intake at El Koraymat area, south of Cairo, along the Nile eastern bank was introduced to clarify these problems. The intake was found to suffer annual sediment accumulations of about 14000 m3 which resulted in water recession and abstraction interruption. An alternative solution was proposed. The solution concept depends on making the pipe inlet position moveable so that it can mitigate and reduce the occurrence of sediment accumulation and water recession. The tower crane technology was proposed to accomplish this concept.

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