PROVIDING OF ELECTRIC ENERGY TO THE COUNTYRYSIDE WITH THE HELP OF PUMPS

(on the basis of materials of “World Pumps” magazine)

The study of potential from pumps using as turbines began because the companies wanted to assess the impact on their systems of the situation when the pump is operating in reverse mode. One international pump manufacturer decided to check this issue in practice.

In many distant areas of the world, access to a reliable source of food remains a serious problem. To have a clean power source that is capable of supporting electrical devices, such as computers and telecommunications, is an urgent issue for countryside.

⁠

Pumps as turbines

And the solution was found. The old and well-proven technology, when a centrifugal pump is used as a turbine for power generation, is very interesting, because it has low cost and it is environmentally friendly. In the pumping industry, the effect is known as PаT (pump as a turbine). A centrifugal pump in reverse rotation will, under certain conditions, create a turbine effect that can be used to generate electricity.

The liquid flows from the outlet hole in such a way that the impeller rotates in the opposite direction. In case if the head is high enough to overcome the starting moment of the impeller and shaft, the torque can be used to drive the generator, so that the pump operates as a turbine.

Pumps manufacturers have found highly effective modes of such use. The energy output was higher than the energy consumed used to start the pump.

In Europe, water suppliers have been using such turbine pumps as an economically viable alternative for years. More than 3000 such pumps were put into operation.

The mounting usually consists of two main elements: a hydroelectric unit and an additional water conduit to hold water, which drives the pump-turbine.

The difference in levels is important for the functioning of the turbine. The water reservoir shall have a height of at least 10 m above the power plant. Depending on the type and size of the turbine, the height can reach 640 m. The hydraulic unit provides power from 30 to 750 kW.

The use of induction generator with permanent magnet immediately increases the cost of mounting. An alternative approach involves the use of induction generator, which is basically a motor. The disadvantage of this option is that the induction generator will not generate any electricity when it is turned on, because it requires power for operation, for example, from a diesel generator.

However, both problems can be solved if the start-up is carried out with battery power, which gives little power for an induction generator when required. The power supply for a quick start of the generator is controlled programmatically and very economical.

ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

There are a lot of examples of improving the use of energy sources in modern technology. Actually, this is the main development path, and only those producers that offer such solutions are competitive on the market today. The enterprises belonging to the UPEC Industrial Group fully meet the requirements of increasing efficiency in a wide range of directions, from pumps to agricultural machinery, climate technology and other products.