Energy-saving technology for frequency control of pump speeds at pumping stations

It is noted that energy costs at pumping pumping stations that supply water for irrigation in many cases remain high, which reduces the efficiency of irrigation. Despite the ongoing reconstruction of irrigated areas in the country’s land reclamation complex, there is a significant variety in their technical equipment, and five groups of similar irrigated areas have been identified. There were some errors during the reconstruction of pumping stations with oversized pumps, and some operational errors occurred when the number of operating machines was incorrectly connected to the pumping unit.To analyze the energy intensity of water supply by pumping pumping stations, including those with frequency control of pump speed, and to determine ways to save electricity during irrigation. The energy intensity of irrigation was estimated based on data from feeders of hourly electricity consumption by pumping stations and instantaneous indicators depending on the technical characteristics of pumping units, the number of working rain machines and their total water consumption. Studies have established a decrease in electricity consumption by pumping units with a decrease in water consumption by throttling it, however, the unit cost of supplying 1000 m3 of water increases and is determined by the pump brand and pressure at the outlet of the pumping station. Frequency control makes it possible to reduce electricity consumption while reducing water consumption, reduce the pressure at the outlet of the pumping station to 0.4-0.6 MPa and reduce unit electricity costs to 140-200 kWt-h instead of 200-650 kWt-h. Studies of operated pumping stations have made it possible to identify design and operational deficiencies, the elimination of which will ensure energy savings during irrigation. The introduction of frequency control will ensure a reduction in electricity consumption during the irrigation season by 1.2-3 times or more, depending on the technical parameters of the irrigated area, increases the reliability of the closed irrigation network and ensures smooth start and stop of the units.

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