Pumping Energy Reduction by Modified Cost Analysis

The rising cost of energy has stimulated the search for ways to conserve it. In this paper, a proposal is made to reduce pumping energy in irrigation by increasing the size of the supply line that delivers water from the source to a regular center pivot irrigation system. To change the pipe size from 0.203 m (0.665 ft) for a typical supply line that delivers water from the source to a regular center pivot irrigation system. To change the pipe size from 0.203 m (0.665 ft) to 0.354 m (0.833 ftp) is not considered economically feasible based upon the existing approach to cost analysis. However, a review of the analysis indicated that the effect of inflation on the annual cost of pumping energy was not considered. If the cost analysis is modified to include inflation as a basic factor the effect of the annual pumping cost is magnified. As a consequence, 0.254-m (0.833-ft) pipe may be preferred in the planning of irrigation systems. Such an increase in pipe size will reduce the pumping energy required in irrigation and result in a more economical design.