Cai Williams
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Andrew Beattie
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Tim Parker
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Jo Read
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Julian D. Booker
University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Sampada Kulkarni
Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Powai, India
Rangan Banerjee
Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Powai, India
R. Herrero Martín
Technical University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
García A. Pinar
Technical University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
J. Pérez García
Technical University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
R. Nobile
University of Reading, Reading, UK
M. Vahdati
University of Reading, Reading, UK
J. Barlow
University of Reading, Reading, UK
A. Mewburn-Crook
Wind Dam Renewables Ltd, Swansea, UK
Ya-Nang Wang
The Experimental Forest, National Taiwan University, Nan-Tou, Taiwan \ School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chun-Han Ko
School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan \ Bioenergy Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chih-Yuan Lee
School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Hen-Ping Tsai
School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Wen-Hua Chen
Cellulose Ethanol Program, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, AEC, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Wen-Song Hwang
Cellulose Ethanol Program, Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, AEC, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Ming-Jer Tsai
The Experimental Forest, National Taiwan University, Nan-Tou, Taiwan \ School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Fang-Chih Chang
The Instrument Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
Mario J. Kofler
Vienna University of Technology, Automation Systems Group, Vienna, Austria
Christian Reinisch
Vienna University of Technology, Automation Systems Group, Vienna, Austria
Wolfgang Kastner
Vienna University of Technology, Automation Systems Group, Vienna, Austria
Mohammad Baghestani
Mechanical Engineering Faculty K.N.Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Masoud Ziabasharhagh
Mechanical Engineering Faculty K.N.Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hasan Khoshgoftar Maneshr
Mechanical Engineering Faculty K.N.Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
O. Boccia
D.S.S.A.R.R., Faculty if Architecture University “G. D’Annunzio”, Pescara , Italy
F. Chella
D.S.S.A.R.R., Faculty if Architecture University “G. D’Annunzio”, Pescara , Italy
P. Zazzini
D.S.S.A.R.R., Faculty if Architecture University “G. D’Annunzio”, Pescara , Italy
Farideh Atabi
Graduate School of Energy and the Environment, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Sadegh Ahadi
National Climate Change Office, Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran
Kiandokht Bahramian
Environmental Engineer, Graduate School of Energy and the Environment, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
S. Kucukali
Cankaya University, Department of Civil Engineering, Balgat, Turkey
K. Baris
Zonguldak Karaelmas University, Zonguldak, Turkey
Download article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110572861Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden
Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:23, p. 2861-2868
Rope-pumps are a highly successful method of lifting water by hand in developing countries. The primary aim of this work was to develop a validated methodology to decide the most cost effective renewable power sources in order to fully automate the operation of the rope-pump for given well depth; volume of water required and environmental conditions in the proposed installation location. The renewable energy sources considered were a 150W photovoltaic (PV) panel and a 100W wind turbine; either used in isolation or in combination with a battery and motor; or direct drive to a motor; providing five viable systems for further consideration. All system elements and the rope-pump itself were fully characterised through experimental testing. Computer-based simulations incorporating environmental conditions for Lilognwe; Malawi; were used to provide a 15 year lifecycle analysis. Results show that the use of PV powered system can deliver water reliably; at the lowest cost. For validation purposes; each rope-pump system was also analysed with the environmental conditions found in Bristol; UK providing comparison results; indicating the approach is systematic and rigorous enough to provide an effective decision making tool for the installation of rope-pumps anywhere; provided environmental data is available.
[1] P. Fraenkel and J. Thake; Water Lifting Devices: a handbook for users and choosers; Rugby: Intermediate Technology Publications Ltd; 3rd Ed.; 2006.
[2] R.A. Lambert; How to Build a Rope-and-Washer Pump; Intermediate Technology Design Group; London; 1990.
[3] J.H. Alberts; The Rope-Pump: an example of technology transfer; Waterlines; 22(3); 2004; pp. 22-25.
doi: 10.3362/0262-8104.2004.010.
[4] R.A. Lambert; Jumemaji: Solar Pumping for Sustainable Food Production Concept Paper; 2007 [Available from: bobby@bobbylambert.eul; 5th July 2007].
[5] A. Blanken; Measurements and Analysis on the Performance of the Rope-pump; University of Technology; The Netherlands; 2009 [http://www.msabi.org/docs/ropepump; viewed online 08/12/10].
[6] P. T. Smulders and R.P.P. Rijs; A Hydrodynamic Model of the Rope-pump; Veldhoven; The Netherlands; 2006 [http://www.arrakis.nl/reports/060923_Ropepump_Smulders-Rijs_lr.pdf; viewed online 08/12/10].
[7] H. Piggott; A Wind Turbine Recipe Book [http://www.scoraigwind.com; viewed online 13/12/10].
[8] A. Beattie et al; Rope-pump System Modelling using Alternative Power Combinations; UK; 2009 [http://www.msabi.org/docs/ropepump; viewed online 08/12/10].
[9] European Commission; Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PVGIS) [http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis; viewed online 08/12/10].
[10] R. Hoare; World Climate [http://www.worldclimate.com; viewed online 08/12/10].
[11] The Weather Network; Statistics: Chitedze; Malawi [http://www.theweathernetwork.com/index.php?product=statistics&pagecontent=C0179; viewed online 08/12/10].
[12] Sandia National Laboratories; Photovoltaic System Research and Development [http://photovoltaics.sandia.gov; viewed online 08/12/10].
