KCT Journal Entry for 17 September 2013
The installation of the Marysville 5kw KCT Mark2, the world's
first free standing vortex turbine generator, was completed. It was a spectacular hydroelectric industry changing, world energy changing, success.
Paul Kouris attended the Gianforte Marysville farm to assist in the final installation of the KCT Mark2 transportable. He there met up with Rohan Searle, Stephen Stanley and Bobby, the Tooltech technician. Shortly after arriving they were all joined by Geoff Irwin, the KCT plumber.
The purpose made KCT steel connector to the dam valve, with the 15 degrees correction, was fitted by Rohan Searle. The Mark2 was bolted down to the concrete slab. Geoff Irwin fitted the KCT outflow pipes, then with the farm tractor backfilled parts of the 40m pipe line to provide stability. The group then agreed the Mark2 was ready to be tested.
Rohan Searle slowly and carefully, using the valve's long lever, opened the valve.
Paul Kouris standing on a ladder monitored the flow into the vortex chamber.
To everyone's excitement and relief, by opening the valve little more than 2 revolutions (of the twenty or so required to open it fully) a perfect powerful vortex was formed, rotating the turbine at ~180 rpm; the generator used, is rated up to 5kw at that speed.
The Mark2 remained steady, the vortex self centering centripetal action ensuring this, as predicted. Most remarkably, it was estimated the Mark2's high output was achieved with only ~200 l/s.
Hearty congratulations and hand shakes were exchanged by all, each sensing the history of the moment.