Parametric Consideration of a Thermal Water Pump and Application for Agriculture

Abstract

This research studied the effects of suction heads on the efficiency of a thermal water pump with steam. In order to save energy, the authors also studied the appropriate amount of air added to a steam working fluid. Cooling time was attempted to be shorten, direct contact cooling was employed. The system comprised feed water tank (FT), liquid piston tank (LT), heat tank (HT), storage tank (ST), well tank (WT), and check valve (CV). It was directly cooled by cooling water. Thermal energy input was supplied by an electric heater as a substitute of heat sources such as firewood. An operation of the pump consisted of five stages: heating, pumping, vaporflow, cooling, and suction. In conclusion, increasing the suction head raised the pumping efficiency until the maximum was achieved. Using air in conjunction with the steam working fluid could lower the working temperature suitable for solar application. In addition, the simulation of a thermal pump with steam was merely presented. A good agreement between the test and the model was found. The larger pump size was selected to be constructed and tested in order to increase the pump efficiency. Agricultural application of the larger pump could obtain energy source from waste of firewood at no cost.