Simple and efficient methods to perform the optimum matching between a reciprocating piston pump and a wind machine

Abstract

One of the major problems facing the use of the wind driven reciprocating lift pump is the problem of starting. The required starting torque of the pump is at least three times the average torque. This means that the pump will need a high wind velocity just to be started, after that it will continue to operate at a lower wind velocity because of the lower average torque, provided that there is enough inertia in the system. For this reason, the torque characteristics of the wind turbine – reciprocating pump combination are very important. Thus, there is a real need to develop new methods in order to reduce this starting performance of the reciprocating pump. This paper presents a theoretical study to reduce the starting torque of a non-conventional reciprocating piston pump using new methods, for example, changing the wind machine parameters, such as the aerodynamics configuration of the rotor and blade elements, or by studying the effect of wind speed velocity on the starting torque. Also by changing the cross-section area of the piston or by changing the static head of the piston pump or by controlling the flow rate of the piston pump.