Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

Energy conservation

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 4 of 4

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Irrigation Pumps - Preserving Performance, Derrel L. Martin Jan 2018

Irrigation Pumps - Preserving Performance, Derrel L. Martin

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

This paper describes how pumps must be matched to operating conditions and power units to provide the desired performance and efficiency. We have recently seen installations where one or more components are not properly matched causing higher than necessary pumping costs. Inspection and maintenance of systems and measurement of flow and pressure will go a long way toward monitoring if the proper conditions are being met. This paper also covers types of pumps, pump components, pump curves, impeller speed and trim, pump staging, affinity laws, pump drives, power units, cavitation, and net positive suction head.


Pumping Plant Performance, Derrel L. Martin, William Kranz, Suat Irmak, Daran Rudnick, Chuck Burr, Steve Melvin Jan 2017

Pumping Plant Performance, Derrel L. Martin, William Kranz, Suat Irmak, Daran Rudnick, Chuck Burr, Steve Melvin

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

Irrigation accounts for a large portion of the energy used in Nebraska agriculture. This paper describes a method to estimate the cost of pumping water and compares the amount of energy used by a properly designed and well-maintained pumping plant, represented by the Nebraska Pumping Plant Performance Criteria (NPPPC). The results can help determine the feasibility of repairing the pumping plant. Methods to compare energy sources are also presented. We recommend that you periodically arrange with a well drilling company to test the efficiency of your pump. Worksheets for pumping plant performance are included in the appendix.


Reducing The Cost Of Pumping Irrigation Water, Derrel L. Martin, William L. Kranz, Tom W. Dorn, Steve R. Melvin, Alan J. Corr Feb 2010

Reducing The Cost Of Pumping Irrigation Water, Derrel L. Martin, William L. Kranz, Tom W. Dorn, Steve R. Melvin, Alan J. Corr

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

Irrigation accounts for a large portion of the energy used in Nebraska agriculture. The cost to pump irrigation water depends on the type of energy used to power the pumping unit. This document describes a method to estimate the cost of pumping water and to compare the amount of energy used to that for a well maintained and designed pumping plant. The results can help determine the feasibility of repairing the pumping plant.


Estimating The Savings From Improving Pumping Plant Performance., Derrel L. Martin Jan 2008

Estimating The Savings From Improving Pumping Plant Performance., Derrel L. Martin

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

This brochure describes a method to estimate the cost of pumping water and to compare the amount of energy used to that for a well maintained and designed pumping plant. The results can help determine the feasibility of repairing the pumping plant.