Engineering Commons^™

Variable Frequency Drive (Vfd) Specifications For Irrigation District Pumps, Charles M. Burt, Kyle Feist, Gary Wilson

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This information was compiled by ITRC and includes specifications for standards, warranties, submittals, VFD size, and other technical details to aid districts in the selection and implementation of VFD system.

Variable Frequency Drive (Vfd) Controlled Irrigation Pumps – Analysis Of Potential Rebate, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Well pumps, booster pumps, and a combination of the two are used throughout the agricultural sector to provide water for on-farm irrigation. However, the pump discharge pressures for the majority of irrigation systems are excessive, waiving considerable monetary and power consumption savings. This report analyzes the numerous potential benefits of integrating a variable frequency drive (VFD) to irrigation supply systems and modifying system design philosophies.

Improving Pump Performance, Charles M. Burt, Frankline Gaudi, Daniel J. Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Options can be specified to minimize power consumption by vertical pumps – both when new and over the life of the pump. Options discussed include bowl coatings, proper well development, improved suction screens, using closed impeller designs, increasing column size, using new bearings, providing proper bearing lubrication, impeller balancing, and polishing impellers. The proper TDH and flow rate must be specified, and the advantages of VFD controls are covered.

Variable Frequency Drives - Planning Your System, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Many irrigation districts are installing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to increase their level of service to their customers and/or to reduce their energy consumption. This brochure is intended to help irrigation districts properly evaluate what type of VFD they need and how to install it.

However, not all VFDs are the same. The performance quality of a VFD will depend on the characteristics of the particular VFD, as well as how the VFD system is set up. Many times it is the seemingly small details that will have a large impact on performance in the long run. This brochure is …

Variable Frequency Drives And Scada — Are They Worthwhile Investments?, Charles M. Burt, Daniel J. Howes

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

Managers and personnel from five California irrigation districs were interviewed to determine if installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems were worthwhile investments.

Estimating The Payback For An Electrical Vfd (Variable Frequency Drive) Application In A Pumping Plant Which Presently Spills Excess Pumpage, Charles M. Burt

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This report includes equations and tips for pump selection criteria and estimating the annual KW-hr savings for a VFD installation, including the maximum potential savings and the approximate amount of KW-hr that would have been consumed if one pump had been converted to VFD.