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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2003

Ilyas Omar and Selbourne Makhlomo

This paper reviews energy alternatives for groundwater pumping in remote, rural areas which are not grid connected or where grid extension costs are prohibitively high. The…

Abstract

This paper reviews energy alternatives for groundwater pumping in remote, rural areas which are not grid connected or where grid extension costs are prohibitively high. The applicability of photovoltaic (PV) pumping under certain conditions is discussed, using examples of in‐service fieldwork results, and experimental results of a laboratory PV pumping rig with remote monitoring capabilities using telemetry. The outcome of the survey and analysis shows that PV pumping can be competitive with other technologies under specific head and flow conditions, although the socio‐institutional implementation strategies are crucial to the techno‐economic success of actual pumping schemes.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 October 2021

Kurt A. Wurthmann

This study aims to provide a new method for precisely sizing photovoltaic (PV) arrays for standalone, direct pumping PV Water Pumping (PVWP) systems for irrigation purposes.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a new method for precisely sizing photovoltaic (PV) arrays for standalone, direct pumping PV Water Pumping (PVWP) systems for irrigation purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The method uses historical weather data and considers daily variability in regional temperatures and rainfall, crop evapotranspiration rates and seasonality effects, all within a nonparametric bootstrapping approach to synthetically generate daily rainfall and crop irrigation needs. These needs define the required daily supply of pumped water to achieve a user-specified level of reliability, which provides the input to an intuitive approach for PV array sizing. An economic comparison of the costs for the PVWP versus a comparably powered diesel generator system is provided.

Findings

Pumping 22.8646 m³/day of water would meet the pasture crop irrigation needs on a one-acre (4046.78 m²) tract of land in South Florida, with 99.9% reliability. Given the specified assumptions, an 8.4834 m² PV array, having a peak power of 1.1877 (kW), could provide the 1.2347 (kWh/day) of hydraulic energy needed to supply this volume over a total head of 20 meters. The PVWP system is the low-cost option when diesel prices are above $0.90/liter and total installed PV array costs are fixed at $2.00/Watt peak power or total installed PV array costs are below $1.50/Watt peak power and diesel prices are fixed at $0.65/liter.

Originality/value

Because the approach is not dependent on the shapes of the sampling distributions for regional climate factors and can be adapted to consider different types of crops, it is highly portable and applicable for precisely determining array sizes for standalone, direct pumping PVWP systems for irrigating diverse crop types in diverse regions.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2018

Maurizio Faccio, Mauro Gamberi, Mojtaba Nedaei and Francesco Pilati

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the autoclave-pump pressured water distribution system. Pressured water is used in many manufacturing processes, as a raw material or…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the autoclave-pump pressured water distribution system. Pressured water is used in many manufacturing processes, as a raw material or as a service fluid for different applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The performances and the total installation costs of such systems are strongly related to its design and to its decision variables definition. The authors first identify the independent variables (i.e. the decision variables) and the dependent variables of the system and, second, propose a techno-economic mathematical method able to determine its minimum installation cost with an integrated approach.

Findings

The trade-off between the autoclave installation costs versus the pump installation costs is demonstrated. A sensitive analysis of the cost of the system as function of its decision variables has been performed to propose a practical graphical analysis tools to proper design the integrated pump-autoclave pressured water distribution system.

Originality/value

Many previous researches focus only on the pump system optimization or in the tank system optimization without an integrated approach. The wide utilization in industry of the autoclave-pump pressured water distribution system together with the lack of similar contributions in this area enforces the value of this research.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 16 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 April 2013

Wilco W. Chan, Sylvester Yueng, Eric Chan and Danny Li

Water heating is one of the major energy‐consuming operations in the lodging sector. The purpose of the current study is to estimate the energy consumed and emission associated…

1982

Abstract

Purpose

Water heating is one of the major energy‐consuming operations in the lodging sector. The purpose of the current study is to estimate the energy consumed and emission associated with hot water usage, to predict the energy cost required under different hot water systems in hotels; and to create a model for the decision‐making criteria in selecting hot water systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 24 hotels, which use heat pumps as their main water heating systems, were investigated. A tailor‐made model for estimating the energy requirement of the water heating system was employed. Comparative studies on the energy consumption and energy costs of various types of water heating systems, including heat pumps, diesel boilers, gas boilers, and electric boilers, were conducted. Moreover, an analytic hierarchy process was used to analyze hoteliers' and lenders' selection criteria for water heating facilities.

Findings

The energy output for water heating by heat pumps was estimated at 15 GW in the lodging sector. The use of heat pumps can achieve substantial energy savings and reduction of air pollutants when compared with the energy requirements under conventional boilers. The latter accounts for 13 percent of the hoteliers' total decision weight on choosing water‐heating systems. Whereas the air pollutants generated by gas‐fired boilers are remarkably lower than those emitted in the power plants due to the use of heat pumps. Both bankers and hoteliers consider seriously the energy saving potential of hot water supply by trucks.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the small number of decision‐makers in hotels participating in the analytic hierarchy process, the result can only provide an indication of the overall picture of the selection criteria adopted by hoteliers.

Practical implications

The analysis provides hotel owners and managers with an objective and scientific investigation of the emission prediction and energy cost estimation based on the use of different hot water systems. Hotel operators and owners can use the analytical results as reference for making green purchasing decisions.

Originality/value

The current study, which is based on the operational experiences of existing hotels, is a collaborative work between hospitality industry practitioners and educators. It is also the first of its kind to indicate the emission impact of various types of hotel water heating systems and the perspectives of hoteliers and bankers on these systems.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2001

Wang Dong, Li Zhuangyun and Zhu Yuquan

In recent years water hydraulic systems have become of major interest because of the human friendly and environmental safety aspects. The piston pump is one of the most frequently…

1594

Abstract

In recent years water hydraulic systems have become of major interest because of the human friendly and environmental safety aspects. The piston pump is one of the most frequently used hydraulic units in recent engineering techniques. In a water hydraulic piston pump, poor lubrication is more likely to happen than in a oil hydraulic one because of differences in properties between water and oil. There are some key problems, such as corrosive wear and erosion, which are briefly investigated in this paper. Many new materials have been developed, which give longer life expectancies in water without corrosion and erosion. Recently, a new type of seawater hydraulic piston pump with better suction characteristics had been developed at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. Much of this research has concentrated on new materials, structure and experiments, which are also specially introduced in this paper.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 53 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2012

Abdeen Mustafa Omer

The purpose of this paper is to describe how, in the recent attempts to stimulate alternative energy sources for heating and cooling of buildings, emphasis has been put on…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe how, in the recent attempts to stimulate alternative energy sources for heating and cooling of buildings, emphasis has been put on utilisation of the ambient energy from ground source heat pump systems (GSHPs) and other renewable energy sources.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploitation of renewable energy sources and particularly ground heat in buildings can significantly contribute towards reducing dependency on fossil fuels. This paper highlights the potential energy saving that could be achieved through use of ground energy source. It also focuses on the optimisation and improvement of the operation conditions of the heat cycles and performances of the direct expansion (DX) GSHP.

Findings

It is concluded that the direct expansion of GSHP are extendable to more comprehensive applications combined with the ground heat exchanger in foundation piles and the seasonal thermal energy storage from solar thermal collectors.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the energy problem and the possible saving that can be achieved through the use of the GSHP systems and discusses the principle of the ground source energy, varieties of GSHPs, and various developments.

Details

World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5945

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 March 2011

Yong Lu, Wei Zhang, Yuan‐yang Zhao, Zhi‐zhong Wang and Peng‐cheng Shu

The balanced vane pump is a common transmission component in hydraulic systems. Since the physicochemical properties of water and seawater are different from that of mineral oil…

1028

Abstract

Purpose

The balanced vane pump is a common transmission component in hydraulic systems. Since the physicochemical properties of water and seawater are different from that of mineral oil, some problems can occur, for instance, poor lubrication, more leakage, and more corrosion. The paper aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility for the water hydraulic vane pump.

Design/methodology/approach

The material combinations were selected based on related research in literature. The volumetric efficiency and suction performance were measured in the current experiment. The relations between gap clearances and leakage flow, the contact and the friction forces between a vane tip and a cam contour were simulated based on mathematic models.

Findings

The soft‐hard material combinations in the prototype pump show preferable friction characteristics during tests. The axial clearances are the main channels of leakage flow. Pin type vane pump can reduce the contact force of the vane tip.

Originality/value

This paper outlines some key problems of the water hydraulic vane pump, such as the friction pair material,the structure, and the contact force of the vane tip by means of testing the basic performance of pump and mathematic model.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 63 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2009

Liu Yinshui, Defa Wu, Xiaofeng He and Li Zhuangyun

The purpose of this paper is to present some design guidelines for the selection of the materials of the main frictional pairs in a water hydraulic piston pump.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present some design guidelines for the selection of the materials of the main frictional pairs in a water hydraulic piston pump.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research, a specified test bench that can simulate the typical frictional pairs in a water hydraulic piston pump was built. The friction and wear behaviors of the three pairs in the pump with different materials combinations were tested on the test bench. The tested materials included metal, engineering ceramics and plastics. Some surface engineering technologies including plasma surface spray, laser clad and heat treatment were applied and tested. The matching schemes included hard‐to‐hard (such as ceramics‐to‐ceramics) and hard‐to‐soft (such as metal‐to‐plastics, ceramics‐to‐plastics).

Findings

Some principles for the materials selection in a water hydraulic piston pump were obtained. According to the test results, the combination schemes for the main frictional pairs in a water hydraulic piston pump were proposed.

Originality/value

A test apparatus that could simulate the movement of main frictional pairs in a water hydraulic piston pump more really than the other general materials machines was developed. Some materials including metal, engineering ceramics and plastics and some engineering technologies were tested. The research described here is an important foundation for the development of a water hydraulic piston pump.

Details

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, vol. 61 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0036-8792

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2020

Nicholas Morgan Geddes

This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in late-industrialising countries and that this results in under-adoption. It also aims to identify a methodological approach that allows the socio-technical perspective to be integrated into management decision-making, alongside the more typical economic appraisal methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study and novel mixed-methodology approach is used, which applies the diffusion of innovations framework, innovation system (IS) framework and system dynamics modelling (SDM) alongside traditional economic modelling and appraisal techniques. This approach is used to assess the adoption potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel water pumping systems in the wildlife conservation sector and surrounding rural communities in Kenya. The case study approach tests the merits of the mixed-methodology approach.

Findings

The life-cycle costs of solar PV water pumping systems are lower in nearly all financing and utilisation scenarios; offer additional social, technical and environmental benefits; and the conditions exist for greater adoption. The use of an integrated diffusion of innovations and IS framework generates significant qualitative data that can support management decision-making. The use of SDM techniques aid conceptualisation of the community economic, water and institutional systems into which water pumps may be diffused and provide a starting point for formal SDM simulation. The results suggest that these techniques capture the socio-technical perspective well and, when used alongside traditional project appraisal approaches, produce more complete information with which to support management decision-making.

Originality/value

This mixed-methodology approach could be used by practitioners to increase the diffusion and adoption of RETs in more complex contexts in late-industrialising countries. The emergent theory built through the case-study approach should be tested further to assess the merits of applying these techniques to support RET management decision-making in other contexts and more broadly.

Article
Publication date: 27 February 2007

Ishan Purohit and Pallav Purohit

The clean development mechanism (CDM) provides industrialized countries with an incentive to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries to achieve a reduction…

2661

Abstract

Purpose

The clean development mechanism (CDM) provides industrialized countries with an incentive to invest in emission reduction projects in developing countries to achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions at lowest cost that also promotes sustainable development in the host country. Windmill pumps could be of interest under the CDM because they directly displace greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to sustainable rural development. This study aims to assess the maximum theoretical as well as the realistically achievable CDM potential of windmill pumps in India.

Design/methodology/approach

To estimate the CDM potential of windmill pumps in case of electricity replacement (by the substitution of electric motor pumps) regional baseline(s) has been used whereas in case of diesel replacement (by the substitution of diesel engine pumps) the IPCC emission factor(s) has been used. The authors have analyzed the financial feasibility of five designs of windmill pumps at ten select locations in India to justify the financial additionality of windmill pump‐based CDM projects. To analyze the future dissemination levels of windmill pumps logistic growth model has been used.

Findings

The annual CO2 emissions mitigation potential through windmill pumps in India could theoretically reach five million tones. Under more realistic assumptions about diffusion of windmill pumps based on past experiences with the government‐run programmes, annual CER volumes by 2012 could reach 13,000‐46,000 and 0.07‐0.3 million by 2020. This would require that the government sets the subsidy level for windmill pumps at a level that allows them to become viable with the CER revenue. From a macro‐economic point of view, this makes sense if the sustainability benefits are deemed sufficiently high to warrant promotion of this project type.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates the vast theoretical potential of CO2 mitigation by using windmill pumps for irrigation water pumping in India.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 8000