The Water Storage and Pumping System

Once mechanical energy gained by wind turbine had been converted to electrical energy, the pump is
driven to generate water from the 35m underground well to the tank. An above- ground tank is
employed to store the water and hence supply drinking water to the remote community.

The water tank consists of three main parts including an inlet at the top, an outlet on the bottom and a
couple of sensors. The water pump pumps water into the water tank through the inlet and the water
are supplied via a tap valve on the bottom, as shown below. To design an optimal water-pump system,
there are some factors that affect the all system operation including drainage coefficient (C D) , pump flow
rates, pump efficiency collected from the following experiments.

Drainage Coefficient Experiment

I). Aim

In order to design the water storage system more properly so that it can work with other sub systems
of the whole project well, the Drainage Coefficient Experiment is needed to obtain a constant
coefficient. Due to the drainage characteristics of the tank is the indication of the efficiency of the
water flowing out from the drain.

II). Method

Model tank with dimensions of 205mm 1500mm 120mm LWHand 2.5 L of capacity is used in
the experiment. It has the outlet with an inner diameter of 4mm on the bottom.
 Ensure the orifice of the tank is blocked.

Fill the tank with water to a height 10cm.

Start timer while opening the hole

Record the change of the water height in the draining tank with time

Repeat this experiment three times.

III). Results

1. Plot

By using MATLAB , the graphs of the square root of the water height versus time can be plotted. The
gradient of the best fit lines of these data sets can be obtained as well. (Appendix contain drainage
graphs)

Trail # Gradient

Trail 1 -0.00062

Trial 2 -0.00059

Trial 3 -0.00054

Mean -0.000583

2. Calculation of CD

According to the formula:

(University of Melbourne ENGR10004 Semester 2, 2013)

Where,

a0 =cross sectional area of the inside of the drain = 0.0004/2 = 1.257E-7 m;

A = cross sectional area of the tank (LW) = (0.2050.15) =0.03075

CD = orifice coefficient;

g = gravitational strength = 9.81 m/s;

t = time (sec).
Therefore, the experiment obtains CD =0.6622.

The figure indicates the representative discharge coefficients for various types of orifices. Evidently,
the result from the experiment matches the example of the Sharp Figure from the ESD2 Water
pumping and storage Specifications booklet.

(University of Melbourne ENGR10004 Semester 2, 2013)

Pump Flow Rates Experiment

I). Aim

This experiment is focusing on the flow rate of the pump with different voltages, which implies how
much water is pumped into the water tank per given time with a certain voltage. Suppose a constant
flow rate of the fluid in the tank, the equation PE1 contributes to find out the flow rate.

Equation PE1

Where,

A = cross sectional area of the tank (LW) = (0.2050.15) =0.03075

H = the height of the fluid in the tank in m;

Q = the flow rate of fluid into the tank in m/s.

II). Method

Ensure the tank is empty and the valve is closed.

 Connect the control module to the input terminals of the pump

Set the control module to 1.5V

Record the height of the water versus time until it reaches the water height 10 centimeters

Perform the experiments with the control module to 3V

III). Results

1. Plot

To plot the water height versus time by MATLAB, the flow rates Q for different input voltages are
determined according to the gradients (dH/dt) of the fitting lines and the equation PE1

Voltage Gradient (dH/dt) Q (m3/s) Q (L/s) Q (L/h)

1.5 5.2E-5 1.5964E-6 0.0015964 5.747
3 2.4E-4 7.368E-6 0.007368 26.5248
Table TW1

As the table TW1 shown, there is a significant relationship that a higher voltage results in a higher
flow rate. According the result findings, there is a considerable difference of flow rates between 1.5 V
and 3 V; hence, a slight increase in voltages leads to a marked rise in flow rates.

Pump Power Experiment

I). Aim

This experiment focuses on the power consumptions of the pump with different voltages, which is
closely associated with efficiency of different input voltages according to the equation PE2 and PE3

P = Ws va

Equation PE2

Where:

P = the power of a pump in W;

= the fluid density in kg/m3;

v = the velocity of the fluid in m/s;

a = the cross sectional area of the pipe in m2;

Ws = gHp is the specific work;

g = gravitational strength = 9.81 m/s;

Hp = the head difference (vertical height from the pump to the top of the tank) in m, given by 0.3.

II). Method

Connect the control module and the pump to the energy monitor

Switch the energy monitor to battery and put the select button until the mV-mA-mW display

The tank is empty and the valve is open

Set the control module to 1.5V

Record the voltage, current and power

Repeat the above steps with the control module to 3V

III). Results

Voltage setting(mV) Voltage measure(mV) Current (mA) Power measure (mW)

1.5 1.444 0.156 0.225264

3 2.946 0.3 0.8838

Table TW2

Working out the efficiency of the pump according to the equation PE3

P Ws Q
efficiency = =
Pm Pm

Equation PE3

Where:

Q=va is the flow rate of fluid into the tank in m3/s;

Pm = the input power to the pump in W

Voltage (V) Efficiency

1.5 2.09%
 3 2.45%

Table TW3

As the table TW2 shown, a higher input voltage gives rise to a higher input power but the relationship
of voltage and power is not proportional.

The table TW3 indicates that the pump is the most efficient at 3V. It is expected that a higher voltage
contribute to a higher efficiency of the pump, which is favour to predict the power consumption for
the large-scale pump.

Modelling the water storage system

From the previous experiments, a basic understanding of drainage characteristics, flow rate on
pumping water, effects of input voltage and pump power is gained to completely model the water
storage system.

In this experiment, the Pioneer Engineering team members set up a model simulating the flow in and
out of the water tank and may show the accuracy of the model via gathering sufficient experimental
data.

I). Aim

The aim of this experiment is to derive a model that can simulate the flow in and out of the water tank.
Furthermore, it also aims at predicting situations of tank filling and tank draining.

II). Equilibrium Height

The Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) can express the relationship between the heights of the
fluid draining from tank and time,

(University of Melbourne ENGR10004 Semester 2, 2013)

Where,

a0 =cross sectional area of the inside of the drain = 0.0004/2 = 1.257E-7 m;

A = cross sectional area of the tank (LW) = (0.2050.15) =0.03075 m;

CD = orifice coefficient = 0.6622;

g = gravitational strength = 9.81 m/s;

Q = the flow rate of fluid into the tank in m/s.

III). Modelling

Method

Connect the control module to the input terminals of the pump and set the control module to 1.5V.

Ensure that the tank is filled with water to a height 3.5 cm.

Record the height of water versus time until the time searches 200 seconds.

Repeat the above two steps with water at a height 6 cm

Perform the experiment with the control module to 3.0V.

IV). Plot

3V with initial height of 0.06m 1.5V with initial height of 0.06m

According to result findings from the experiment, there is a downward trend of water level with 1.5V
for two different initial heights. This means that the flow rate of output is faster than that of input.
Whereas the trend of water level is upward with 3V for two different initial heights, which implies the
flow rate of input being faster compared to that of output. In this case, the Tank is filled with water
while the water is conveyed to the remote community via the valve on bottom of the tank.

The real-life Water Tank and Pump Design

Related Calculation Chart

Males require 3L of water per day. Females require 2.2 L of water per
day.(Mayo Clinic Staff 2011)
Population of the village: 2000 (Assume 50% male, 50% female)
Drinking water needed per day: 200050%3+200050%2.2=5200L
Reserved water: Approximate 2 days drinking water for unexpected
needs.
Hydrostatic Pressure formula: p = h g; h= the height of liquid

Water tank

Considering the demand of water of the residents, the Pioneer Engineering team has done several
researches as shown in Related Calculation Chart. Based on the data, the actual water tank will be
designed into a cylindrical shape with a height of 1.5m and a diameter of 1.82m, which has a capacity
of 15607L of drinking water. (Based on Related Calculation Chart) The tank will be housed off 10
meters above the ground. This not only prevents clean water in the tank from being contaminated by
humans, but also ensures water to flow out due to gravity, in case of a pump failure.

Inside the tank, two water level sensors are equipped, acting as a switch between the power system
(both fuel cell and wind turbine) and water pump through a control module depending on both
current water level in tank and the increasing or decreasing of level. Such setting avoids constant
switching happened when only one sensor is equipped.

Fibreglass is chosen to be the main material of water tank. Fibreglass is relatively light weight, which
makes the tank lighter and thus requires less support from the 10m platform (Oribi Manufacturing
2013). Fibreglass also has great tensile strength. Compared to the alternative material steel, it is less
brittle and more flexible, which allows tank work better under the hoop tension and pressure from
the inside water (Oribi Manufacturing).

Pump

In this project, the centrifugal pump is applied (as shown in the figure P3). This is due to it is relatively
simple but still effective device. It is convenient in maintenance and thus it can reduce concerns about
the failure of the pump.
This pump will be installed under the water of the well to ensure that air will not enter the pump.
Stainless steel (SS304) is used to be the material of pump. Due to its non- corroding property, the
blades of impeller will not easily deteriorate thus extending pump service life. Also, from economic
consideration, the cost of stainless steel is relatively low when comparing to other alternative
materials, such as titanium. (OnlineMetals, 2010)

Design Decision Real World

To acquire a basic understanding of modeling the water system, it is favor to estimate and predict the
design of the full-scale pump regarding to vital variables. Suppose the efficiency of the small-scale
pump is same as that of the full-scale pump, contributing to a well estimate on power consumption of
the full-scale pump. In this scheme, the tank can reserve 15607L and water can be pumped 7000L into
the tank a day. According to a water demand for a village with 2000 people, it is expect that at least
5200L will be consumed per day and there is sufficient reserved water for the water demand to
function two days in the case of power failure.

For the minimum water demand:

A flow rate of water into the tank is 217 in L/h or Q is 6.019E-5 in m3/s

Suppose the maximum efficiency of the pump is 2.45% at 3V obtained from the previous
experiment
The minimum power consumption is roughly 1084W according to the equation PE2 and PE3.
Concerns and improvement

However, there are some concerns of the whole system. The main concern of centrifugal pump is the
strict requirements for its placement. Once the suction height is bit over the water lever, the bubbles
caused by the air will modify the velocity as well as the pressure of the system, which will cause loss
of energy (Trinath, 2012). It has been suggested that he suction height cannot be higher than around
7m above the water level. To address this limitation, there are some pumps injecting a jet stream of
water into the suction pipe inlet. A part of kinetic energy of the injected water is converted into extra
pressure, which contributes to lift the water above the suction limit of the pump (Centrifugal pump,
2013). Concerning about water contamination of tank, there are two solutions: to ensure the height of
tank, and to add ventilative cover. With these two measure, it can minimize the water pollution.

Supporting System of Water Tank

As the tank is situated on a supporting structure 10m off the ground, it is necessary to design a rigid
structure to hold the weight of the full water tank safely. The model of the tank support structure is
made from standard-sized wooden ice cream sticks with dimensions of 115mm (length) 10mm
(width) 1.5mm (thick), by using PVA craft glue.

Construction Procedure

In order to make a strong structure with less material, the Pioneer Engineering Teem decided to
design a cubic structure with one top and three sides. The structure was strict with a dimension of
265mm (length) 210mm (width) 200mm (height). Triangles were constructed at each corner to
enhance the stability. In addition, double wooden ice cream sticks were applied to increase the
contacting area, and therefore to strengthen its load bearing capacity. By optimizing the glued area,
especially for the main force bearing points of the structure, this teem maximized the stability of the
structure. With the design ideas of symmetry, the support structure was finally constructed to be both
light and rigid.

Theory

There are two key theories associating with the design procedure. One is referred to the fact that
triangle has the relatively high stability (Building Strong Shapes with Triangles, n.d.). Moreover,
according to William (n.d.) , larger contacting area contributes to the greater loading capacity of the
object.
Demonstration of Structure

(The completed appearance from the front) (The completed appearance from the top)

Testing

To determine the load bearing capacity of the structure, the Pioneer Engineering Teem has done
several experiments. The books are the main weight in the experiments. With only 2.1kg of mass, this
tank support structure is proven to be stable enough to support more than 25kg. It is greatly surplus
the requirement. Therefore, it is evident that the actual support structure can assuredly bear the
weight of tank containing 15607L of drinking water. The figure shown below illustrates this structure
can afford 25kg of weight firmly.

(Structure supports 25kg of weight.)

Design Decision Actual Tank Support Structure

Considering the natural factors, such as heavy storms and strong earthquakes, the additional safety
concerns should be taken into account. Hence, in the real life, when constructing the tank support
structure, the higher quantity of material should be used to increase its safety degree. With the
earthquake-proof property, steel is used to construct the actual tank support structure. Furthermore,
due to the 10m height of structure, it suggests that stair access should be provided to ensure the
safety of human.

Sustainability

The strong sustainability has been considered when making the system operational. It is evident that
the concept of safe minimum standard is taken into the whole system. Each part of the system has
been strict with the safety. This prolongs the service life of the project. Furthermore, the material
selection also obeys the rule of sustainability. For example, the material of the water tank, fibreglass,
is a highly sustainable material since it needs less energy to produce and had extremely long-life
cycles (50years 2013).