A generalized prediction model for complete performance investigation of pump operated as turbine in microhydro applications using novel approach for improving sustainability

Abstract

Centrifugal pumps operated in reverse mode (popularly called pump as turbines (PATs)) are well-established as green energy converters, mainly used in microhydro applications due to their lower capital cost. However, the appropriate selection of the pump for reverse-mode application is a critical issue due to the unavailability of its characteristic curve in turbine mode. Therefore, various researchers have proposed models to predict PAT parameters from pump characteristics based on diverse approaches. Still, researchers are striving to develop a prediction model, which can predict the head and flow rates for the PAT with less than ±20 % deviation for both. This work proposed a novel approach to predict the characteristics of PAT with the integration of ensemble regression modelling for Best Efficiency Point (BEP) and from it, by polynomial equations complete characteristics curve. The data from in-house experiments and open literature are used to develop the proposed model excluding the data of four pumps, which are typically used for validation of it. The predicted parameters of PAT from pump characteristics show good agreement for four selected PATs with <10 % maximum deviation. Compared to the literature prediction models, it shows a lower deviation for the same four PATs. A case study based on the field data is carried out to justify the applicability of the proposed model. By using this model selected pump when operated in PAT will produce higher power and generate more revenue compared to literature models, resulting in the economical utilization of resources and improving sustainability. Though the savings are lower, it will be significant for a large number of PAT applications.