TECHNICAL NOTES
May 1, 1996
Performance of Electric Irrigation Pumping Plants Using Variable Frequency Drives
Authors: B. Hanson, Member, ASCE,, C. Weigand, and S. OrloffAuthor Affiliations
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 122, Issue 3
Abstract
The constant revolutions per minute (RPM) of electric motors prevents adjusting the pump performance to match variable operating conditions, and thus the pump output is usually reduced or throttled with a valve in the discharge pipe. Variable frequency drives for electric motors have the potential to adjust the pump performance to match operating conditions by reducing motor and pump RPM. Field tests at five sites showed that the pump performance at the reduced RPM could reasonably match the throttled conditions at a reduced horsepower demand. However, pumping plants using a variable frequency drive should be operated at least 500–1,000 h per year to recoup costs.
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References
1.
Anonymous.(1992). “Pumping costs cut with switch to variable frequency drive.”Water Engrg. and Mgmt., 139(1), 13.
2.
Collins, S.(1991). “Variable-speed drive boosts pump efficiency.”Power, 135, 164–165.
3.
Lambeth, J., and Houston, J.(1991). “Adjustable frequency drives saves energy.”Water Envir. and Technol., 3(5), 34.
4.
Oliver, J. A. (1992). “Adjustable speed drives applications guide.”EPRI Rep., Electric Power Research Institute, Pleasant Hill, Calif.
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Copyright
Copyright © 1996 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: May 1, 1996
Published in print: May 1996
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Authors
Affiliations
B. Hanson, Member, ASCE,
Extension Irrig. and Drain. Specialist, Dept. of Land, Air, and Water Resour., Univ. of California, Davis, CA 95616.
C. Weigand
Engr., Electronic Power Conditioning, Inc., Corvallis, OR 97330-2144.
S. Orloff
Farm Advisor, Siskiyou County, Univ. of California Cooperative Extension, Yreka, CA 96097.
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