Development of a photo-voltaic pumping system using a brushless d.c. motor and helical rotor pump

doi:10.1016/0038-092X(95)00077-5

Solar Energy

Volume 56, Issue 2, February 1996, Pages 151-160

https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(95)00077-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

A PV pumping system based on a brushless d.c. motor and helical rotor pump has been designed, simulated and a prototype constructed. The paper describes the operations of the system and the development of component models for the array, the brushless d.c. motor and helical rotor pump. Simulation results and subsequent test results for the complete system are included. Efficiencies of between 30 and 50% for the system (excluding the array) have been achieved over a range of loads and operating conditions for 4 × 1 and 4 × 2 array configurations.

References (9)

P. Bosch et al.
Modelling and Simulation with PSI/e (Manual)
(1991)
P. Evans et al.
Simulation of brushless d.c. drives
W. Lawrance et al.
High efficiency solar water pumping system
W. Lawrance et al.
Dynamic simulation of a solar pumping system
Int. J. Renewable Energy
(1992)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (48)

Technology development in the nexus of renewable energy, water, and the environment
2023, The Renewable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus: Fundamentals, Technology, and Policy
Our endless reliance on fossil fuels has led to the extreme effects of climate change. Climate change coupled with rapid population growth, commerce, and industry is leading to increased energy usage, water scarcity, and corresponding environmental impacts. Transforming to a net-zero society by moving away from fossil fuels to renewable energy (RE) sources and more efficient coupled energy–water–environmental systems will be one of the biggest 21st-century challenges for meeting societal needs. Technology development in the nexus of RE, water, and the environment is discussed in this chapter. In other words, the chapter introduces worldwide innovative technologies to maintain a clean and environmentally equitable society. The decarbonization technologies integrated with multiple RE sources detailed in this chapter aim to meet the future needs of global human society.
Solar PV powered water pumping system - A review
2020, Materials Today: Proceedings
Diesel-powered pumps are widely used for irrigation purposes. However, due to an increase in the price of oil in the international market, harmful emissions from burning of it, high maintenance cost, and short lifetime have been forced to find some alternative. Renewable energy has the potential to limit the use of fossil fuel, as researchers are shifting towards a solar-powered water pumping system. As solar is available in large amounts and almost everywhere even in remote locations, which makes a good alternative to the diesel-powered water pump. The main aim of this review is to present a short overview of the solar PV powered water pumping system, its important components, applications, and India scenario. Economic and environmental aspects were also discussed. Solar PV water pumping system is found to be more economical, eco-friendly, reliable, with less maintenance and a long life span in comparison to diesel-powered water pumps. 4–6 years of payback period is found for some of the systems. The recent Indian subsidy provided and the latest scheme available for installation purposes are also discussed in the work.
Renewable energy powered membrane technology: A review of the reliability of photovoltaic-powered membrane system components for brackish water desalination
2019, Applied Energy
Photovoltaic-powered membrane filtration (PV-membrane) systems are of interest for the provision of clean drinking water in small communities, especially in remote areas. In order to deliver clean water at the lowest cost over the lifetime of the system, a reliable and robust design is paramount. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the operating range and reliability of all components of a small-scale PV-membrane system for brackish water desalination. The failure and degradation modes, as well as lifetime and robustness issues associated with field operation are discussed and best-practice recommendations made. The outcomes of this paper suggest that a small-scale (power rating <1.5 kW) PV-membrane system – based on a helical rotor pump driven by a direct-current brushless motor and powered by silicon photovoltaic modules – may achieve a lifetime of 20 years, while operating with a specific energy consumption of 1.5–3 kWh/m³. Possible methods for mitigating the effects of membrane fouling and damage are also discussed. To maximize membrane lifetime, such systems ought to be operated with a recovery of less than 30% and limit the rate of change of pressure (induced by fluctuations in solar irradiance) to less than 0.7 bar/s. The analysis is useful for identifying the optimal combination of components, system operation and possible reliability improvements. The investigation into component and system failures allows the weakest links to be avoided and enable the optimization of future systems. This review is intended as valuable reference for engineers engaged in the field of renewable-energy-powered membrane filtration technologies.
Review of PV fed water pumping systems using BLDC Motor
2019, Materials Today: Proceedings
Energy demand is increasing significantly nowadays due to increase in population, industrialization and transportation. The fossil fuel depletion is high with this increase in energy demand. There are sincere efforts from around the world to tap renewable sources and adopt these sources of energy for their social and economic development. Among all the available renewable energy sources solar energy is regarded as the most viable source of energy. Solar water pumping systems are receiving wide attention in agricultural and industrial sector as they are environment friendly and require no fuel cost. Conventional water pumps run by electricity tend to be unreliable and diesel pumps have increased fuel cost. Main objective of this study is to present a comprehensive literature review of Solar Photovoltaic fed water pumping system using Brushless DC(BLDC)Motor. BLDC motor emerges as a better substitute for DC motors and AC Induction Motors in water pumping applications due to high efficiency, high reliability and least maintenance requirement. The review focuses on research findings of solar photovoltaic water pumping systems using BLDC motor drives with and without dc-dc converters.
Power Electronics for Renewable Energy Sources
2017, Power Electronics Handbook, Fourth Edition
The Kyoto agreement on global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has prompted renewed interest in renewable energy systems worldwide. Many renewable energy technologies today are well developed, reliable, and cost competitive with the conventional fuel generators. The cost of renewable energy technologies is on a falling trend and is expected to fall further as demand and production increases. There are many renewable energy sources (RES) such as biomass, solar, wind, minihydro, and tidal power. However, solar and wind energy systems make use of advanced power electronics technologies, and therefore, the focus in this chapter will be on solar photovoltaic and wind power.
Optimum sizing and performance modeling of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) water pumps for different climatic conditions
2017, Solar Energy
Citation Excerpt :
But they are costly for low power requirements. The performances of AC motors are appreciable for high power operations, whereas the DC motors are appreciable for low power operations (Kenna and Gillett, 1984; Short and Oldach, 2003; Langridge et al., 1996; Gopal et al., 2013; Singh et al., 1998; Metwally and Anis, 1994). The optimum PV array sizing is the most critical part of designing a SPV water pumping system [Renu et al., 2016].
In this study, effect of irradiance and temperature variations on water output of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) water pumps has been analyzed. A methodology has been proposed for the performance optimization of SPV pumps based on height of water table and operating point of the pump using most frequent conditions (MFC) of a site. The selection of optimum array sizing for a pump has been done based on the occurrence of desirable input power and subsystem efficiency at MFC. The effect of different array configurations on the performance of water pump using PVsyst software has also been studied. Most of pumps studied, are operating in the average subsystem efficiency range of 40–50%. AC submersible pumps are performing more efficiently and giving higher throughputs at 50 m head than DC submersible pump. Around 30 m head, 2 hp submersible DC pumps are performing better than 2 hp submersible AC pumps. AC pumps are showing subsystem efficiency in the range of 28–65% whereas DC pumps efficiency is in the range of 38–60%. For the performance optimization of SPV water pumping systems in real operating conditions, the MFC of radiation and temperature, water table height variations and operating point of a pump can be considered.

View all citing articles on Scopus

View full text

Photovoltaics articleDevelopment of a photo-voltaic pumping system using a brushless d.c. motor and helical rotor pump

Abstract

Modelling and Simulation with PSI/e (Manual)

Simulation of brushless d.c. drives

High efficiency solar water pumping system

Dynamic simulation of a solar pumping system

Int. J. Renewable Energy

Photovoltaics article
Development of a photo-voltaic pumping system using a brushless d.c. motor and helical rotor pump