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Flow Conditions for PATs Operating in Parallel: Experimental and Numerical Analyses

Author

Listed:
  • Mariana Simão

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources (DECivil) and CEris member, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Modesto Pérez-Sánchez

    (Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • Armando Carravetta

    (Department of Hydraulic, Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering, Università di Napoli Federico II, via Claudio, 21, Napoli 80125, Italy)

  • Helena M. Ramos

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Georesources (DECivil) and CEris member, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

Micro-hydro systems can be used as a promising new source of renewable energy generation, requiring a low investment cost of hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical equipment. The improvement of the water management associated with the use of pumps working as turbines (PATs) is a real advantage when the availability of these machines is considered for a wide range of flow rates and heads. Parallel turbomachines can be used to optimize the flow management of the system. In the present study, experimental tests were performed in two equal PATs working in parallel and in single mode. These results were used to calibrate and validate the numerical simulations. The analysis of pressure variation and head losses was evaluated during steady state conditions using different numerical models (1D and 3D). From the 1D model, the installation curve of the system was able to be defined and used to calculate the operating point of the two PATs running in parallel. As for the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, intensive analysis was carried out to predict the PATs′ behavior under different flow conditions and to evaluate the different head losses detected within the impellers. The results show system performance differences between two units running in parallel against a single unit, providing a greater operational flow range. The performance in parallel design conditions show a peak efficiency with less shock losses within the impeller. Furthermore, by combining multiple PATs in parallel arrangement, a site’s efficiency increases, covering a wide range of applications from the minimum to the maximum flow rate. The simulated flow rates were in good agreement with the measured data, presenting an average error of 10%.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariana Simão & Modesto Pérez-Sánchez & Armando Carravetta & Helena M. Ramos, 2019. "Flow Conditions for PATs Operating in Parallel: Experimental and Numerical Analyses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:5:p:901-:d:212149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emma Frosina & Dario Buono & Adolfo Senatore, 2017. "A Performance Prediction Method for Pumps as Turbines (PAT) Using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Williams, A.A., 1996. "Pumps as turbines for low cost micro hydro power," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 1227-1234.
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    4. Pérez-Sánchez, Modesto & Sánchez-Romero, Francisco Javier & López-Jiménez, P. Amparo & Ramos, Helena M., 2018. "PATs selection towards sustainability in irrigation networks: Simulated annealing as a water management tool," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(PA), pages 234-249.
    5. Jain, Sanjay V. & Patel, Rajesh N., 2014. "Investigations on pump running in turbine mode: A review of the state-of-the-art," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 841-868.
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    7. Oreste Fecarotta & Costanza Aricò & Armando Carravetta & Riccardo Martino & Helena Ramos, 2015. "Hydropower Potential in Water Distribution Networks: Pressure Control by PATs," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(3), pages 699-714, February.
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    Cited by:

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