Computer analysis to compare the energy consumption of variable and constant speed pumps for agricultural irrigation

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · ASAE Publ.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6240800

Callahan, T F ^[1]; Astill, K A

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1. Foster-Miller Associates, Inc., Waltham, MA

A method of analyzing a variety of irrigation systems through the use of a computer simulation is presented. For a given set of field conditions and variable crop water requirements, the conventional constant speed pumping (CSP) plant's energy consumption is compared to that of the variable speed pumping (VSP) plant. A best effort was made to optimize the selection of the pumps for each system. The net energy saved, in kilowatts (kW), is converted to dollars based on average power company charges. The dollar savings generated by matching pump speed to water requirements is then used to demonstrate the VSP system economics using both a simple payback method (based on fixed dollar value) and the discounted cash flow. A set of sample calculations is made for a typical farm model and watering schedule. The results are given for both CSP and VSP systems and demonstrate how easily the VSP can be optimized to give minimum energy requirements.

• OSTI ID: 6240800
• Report Number(s): CONF-8009144-(Vol.2)
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASAE Publ.; (United States) Journal Volume: 4-81
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
FARMS
IRRIGATION
PERFORMANCE
PUMPS
SIMULATION
WATER PUMPS
WATER REQUIREMENTS