Short Summary
Omni SmartPump
Bernie MacDonald
99-12
EISG Project Title: Omni Smartpump
EISG Grant Number: 99-12
PIER Area: Industrial/Agriculture/Water End-Use
Principal Investigator: B. C. MacDonald
Contact Information: (707) 937-4352 omni@mcn.org
Organization: Omni Instruments
Grant Amount: $75,000
Grant Term: 16 Months
Project Description:
The purpose of this project is to research the feasibility of using prototype, high-efficiency, variable-speed electric motors with programmable control electronics and pressure sensors to more energy efficiently provide constant optimal pressure to a closed loop drip irrigation system. The use of a standard single speed motor running at full power wastes electrical energy when it delivers either too much or too little water pressure. This project will fabricate and bench test 3-4 prototype systems in the 2 horsepower range that incorporate variable speed AC and DC motors, digital controllers, pump heads and external sensors. One or more of the designs will be field-tested under real-world conditions.
Proposed Outcomes:
· Prototype variable speed irrigation pump optimized for drip irrigation applications.
· Energy efficiency comparison of prototype systems with conventional irrigation pumping systems.
· Identification of the technological obstacles to scaling up large AC motors for variable speed operation for use in drip irrigation.
Anticipated Benefits:
· Improve the energy efficiency and cost of drip irrigation pumping systems by eliminating the need for a separate pressure tank, while maintaining a constant optimal water pressure.
· Motor control technology can be scaled up to include large AC motors used in large-scale irrigation operations.
Index Page EISG Program Page Top