Evaluation of centrifugal pumps used as Turbines on Small Hydroelectric Plant: Analysis of

correlations
Mg Orlando Anbal AUDISIO
UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DEL COMAHUE
Dpto. de Mecnica Aplicada
Laboratorio de Mquinas Hidrulicas (LA.M.HI.)
Calle Buenos Aires 1400
(Q8300BSX) Neuqun Capital - Patagonia Argentina
TE: ++-(0)299-4490300 Int. 404
E-Mail: orlando.audisio@fain.uncoma.edu.ar

Abstract:
Hydropower, large and small, remains by far the most important of the renewables for
electrical power production worldwide, providing 19% of the planets electricity. Small-scale
hydro is in most cases run-of-river, with no dam or water storage, and is one of the most costeffective and environmentally benign energy technologies to be considered both for rural
electrication in less developed countries and further hydro developments in America. By
ecological and environmental issues, small hydropower resources will be economical in the
future. Standard pumps could be considered a low cost alternative for hydraulic turbines used in
small hydropower plants .
An experimental investigation of centrifugal pump has been carried out to study its
characteristics in pump and turbine mode operation and their applications for electrical energy
generation. By using the results of tested pump of some previous researchers, new correlations
have been developed by using its best experimental parameters (optimal performance) in pump
mode and mode turbines. Values obtained from the derived correlations show good match with
experimental results. These correlations would be very helpful for the performance prediction of
pump working as turbine.
A centrifugal pump can operate properly as a turbine, but of course with lower efficiency
comparing to the conventional turbines. From an economical point of view, using a pump
instead of a turbine can thus be recommended for power stations under approximately 500 KW
installed capacity.
Pump manufacturers do not normally provide the performance curves of their pumps working
in reverse mode (turbine). Therefore, establishing a correlation proper the passage from the
"pump" performance to "turbine" once is important for selecting the proper machine.
Several empirical methods existing in the literature for predicting the best efficiency point of
pumps running as turbines are presented and compared. However each of these of methods is
applicable only for particular cases.
Key words:

Centrifugal pump; Specific speed; Pump as Turbine (PAT), Energy, Small Hydro Power, Small
Hydro Turbines; Best efficiency point
NOMENCLATURE
H
Ns
Q
D
P
n
g
h
l
s
q
PAT
BEP

head, m
Specific speed, (m, m3.s-1)
Discharge, m3.s-1
Impeller diameter, m
Power, kW
Rotational speed, RPM
Acceleration due to gravity, m.s-2
Head ratio at best efficiency, (Head turbine/head pump)
Volume in litre
Time in second
Discharge ratio at best efficiency, (discharge turbine/discharge pump)
Pump as turbine
Best Efficiency Point

Subscript

pump
turbine
Net

1.

Historical Background

p
T

Hydropower on a small-scale is one of the most cost-effective energy technologies to be

considered for rural electrication in less developed countries. The use of pumps as turbines
has been a research topic for over 70 years. Its journey began when Thoma found that pumps
operated very efficiently in turbine mode. The turbine mode operation became an important
research question to many manufacturers pumps were prone to irregular operating conditions.
Knapp later published the complete pump characteristics for few pump designs based on
experimental investigation.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the concept of pumped storage power plants was evolved mainly in
developed countries to manage the peak power requirements. PATs hence found one of its
important applications and this sustained the research to a certain extent. However the capacity
of such plants was in the order of 50 MW to 100 MW, and the numbers of them were few.
In the later years chemical industries became another area for the application of PATs. In
certain chemical processes it was necessary to dissipate the energy of high-pressure fluids
through small pipe lengths. Instead of simply throttling, PATs were installed to recovery some
energy. Even in water supply networks identical applications of this technology were found.

2.

Introduction

Small hydroelectric power stations became attractive for generating electrical energy after the
oil price crisis of the seventies. However cost per KW energy produced by these stations is
higher than the hydroelectric power plants with large capacity. Numerous publications in recent
years emphasize the importance of using simple turbine in order to reduce the cost of produced
electrical energy.
In Argentina there is need for installation small hydroelectric power stations. Based on
Secretaria de Energia de la Nacion Argentina (SEN) survey, 116 projects in 14 provinces, with a
total capacity of 425 MW and a annual average energy of about 1900 GWh, which added to the
plants currently in service, would supply about 2.2% of the estimated annual electricity demand
by 2016; within the relevant percentage goal "National Development Plan for the Use of
Renewable Sources of Energy for Electricity Production" introduced to the Law 26.190/06,
which proposes that in 10 years, 8% of national electricity consumption comes renewable energy
sources (excluding from the calculation of this indicator Large developments) [1].
We considered the idea of using pumps as hydraulic turbines (PATs) an attractive and
important alternative. Pumps are relatively simple machine, are easy to maintain and are readily
available in most developing countries. The use of reverse-running pumps as turbines (PATs) is
a promising technology for small-scale hydropower. Because of the ecological and
environmental restrictions in energy production, the use of small hydropower resources
will be economical in the future. Standard pumps could be considered a low cost alternative for
hydraulic turbines used in small hydropower plants.
Considering economic and financial aspects, it is often claimed that pumps working as turbines
in the range of 5 to500 KW allow capital payback periods of approximately two years which is
considerably less than that of a conventional hydraulic turbine.
Some of the big and medium pump manufacturers became interested in the turbine mode
operation presented. They began characterizing their pumps in turbine mode as well. As it was
found to be expensive to test all pumps, manufacturers along with researchers worked in trying
to predict the turbine mode performance of all types of pumps based on pump mode
characteristics. Many prediction techniques have been published till date. Few of the early
contributors to these techniques were Kittredge, C.P. and Stepanoff, A.T. [2]. In the later years
many more techniques were developed by a host of researchers namely Gopalakrishnan, S. ,
Sharma, K.R. , Schmiedl, E., Grover, K.M., and more recently by Williams[3], A., AlatorreFrenk, C. and Cohrs, D.. There are many uncertainties associated with the various prediction
methods, nevertheless they have served as a starting point in the technological dissemination. .The basis of the simulation model revolves around own experimental databases and of other
researchers [4] . The simulation model was performed using Microsoft Excel.

This algebraic method relates the BEP (QP, HP , nP) in pump mode to the BEP (QT, HT, nT) in
turbine mode.

The proposed procedure arising from the processing of the database, is

considered useful for the selection of pumps from a manufacturer's catalog, considering
variables such cases as hydraulic pumps and turbine. -

3.

Prediction of parameters of PATs.

The difference in size between a PAT and a turbine of similar duties arises from the need in
pump mode to avoid flow separation and diffusion loss. Its decelerating flow is more difficult to
control than the accelerating flow of a turbine, and requires a bigger impeller (between 30% and
40% bigger), with long, gradually diverging channels. The reversed curvature of the PAT blades
is due to the need to have a small angle at the outlet in pump-mode for reasons of stability.
A turbine can certainly work as a pump. However, the relatively short channels of a Francis
turbine and the big angles of its runner would produce in pump-mode an excessive deceleration
and instability. Because of this, pumps can be used as turbines more readily than turbines as
pumps; and the purpose-made reversible machines (pump-turbines) for energy storage schemes
are much more similar to pumps than to turbines (Chapallaz et all , Krivctienko, Meier, Raabe ,
Sharma, Stepanoff , Williams).
Pump manufactures, normally provide the characteristic curves of their pumps. Therefore,
establishing a correlation enabling the passage from the "pump" characteristics the "turbine"
characteristics is the main challenge in using a pump as a turbine. Several methods are
proposed in the literature for predicting the best efficiency point for a PATs. These methods
used as an explanatory variable optimal efficiency or specific number of the centrifugal pump
mainly.From different studies published by different researchers, it has been the determination of
parameters for turbine mode from pump mode parameters. This comparison concludes with
errors unreliable results ranging from 10% and for some cases reaching 100%. We believe that
these errors are linked to these methods used as an explanatory variable proposed transposition
performance or specific speed, which are parameters related to the sememjanza or hydraulic
similarity.
The pump itself and turbine mode, are not at all similar machines, although it is the same
machine but with reverse rotation. Dynamic and cinematic effects are different for both modes
of operation, which can not have homologous points. For example, the praise salidad mode
matches the input pump in turbine mode, but the speed triangles are not the same, so it is not
possible to meet the conditions of kinematic similarity (velocities proportional triangles).

The same applies to the dynamic effects, for example, in the channel forming two consecutive
blades. Mode have a diverging channel pump, whereas in the turbine mode, the same channel is
for the convergent flow, his causes the pressure drop for the channel in pump mode is not the
same magnitude as the pressure drop of the same channel in the turbine mode, ie dynamic
effects are not the same even though we have the same channel but with reverse flows.
Physical aspects of the flow in the channels of the rotor and the volute are not similar for both
modes of operation, this highlights the inability to use transposition as an explanatory variable
to performance and specific number.
In addition, specific work in modo turbina (Euler), is a function of geometric parameters, and
hydraulic construction according to the direction of flow is reached, according to expressions
(11), the specific work working as a turbine pump increases linearly with flow ratio [5]:

YSch u 22 .

u 2 .Z Le .A 3q

r3

A 3q *
Z

.Cos( 3B ) Le .
.d1 . Vol .Cos( A1 ) d 1* 2
r2

Z La A 1q

(1)
In these considerations do not variable appears as pump operation mode.These and other aspects considered secondary we can say that can not be used as an explanatory
variable to infer parameters in turbine mode, the efficiency and specific velocity.
Based on the up here considered, it is important to analyze whether there is any correlation
between parameters of the two modes of operation, but without adopting correlation variables
that are not directly involved in hydraulics similarity relations.
Since we are dealing with the same machine but in reverse operation, we believe that there is
homologous relationships between variables, a feature which we researched and developed.
2. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
A complete schematic of the experimental set up is shown in Figure 2. The experimental set up
was installed at Laboratorio de Maquinas Hidrulicas (LA.M.HI.), Universidad Nacional del
Comahue (UNCo), Neuquen-Patagonia Argentina. The Universal Test Rig is suitable for
horizontal and vertical shaft turbine models. The schematic diagram of the test rig is
shown in Figure N 01. The test rig operates in a open loop. The discharge was measured
using Electromagnetic Flow meter, and to measure the output power a dynamomemter of 35
kW was coupled to the PATs and the torque is measured using a load cell. Two pumping unit
are also used to supply the water to the test ring at desired head and flow rate. To regulate the
excessive flow a valves type globe were located on the impulsion each pumps.

Figure N 01: Test Ring of open loop - Univ. Nac. del Comahue (Patagonia Argentina)

The subscripts T refers at turbine regime operation and the P refers at pump regime
operation. The data is processed in a Excell program.

PERFORMANCE PREDICTION
Since in the majority of applicattions, the turbine is a pump running in reverse, attempts have
been made be predict the turbine performance from the known pumps performance. In these
methods, the turbine flow and head at the best efficiency point (bep) are predicted from the

known head and flow at the bep of the pumps. If the pumps specific speed is used as a
correlating parameter, curves of the type shown in figure 04 and 05 can be derived from known
test data. Therefore, it will not be prudent to guarantee the peformance of the turbine from
known pump test data. Actual testing of the machine as a turbine is advisable.The specific speed characterizes - although not perfectly - the geometric parameters (1, 2, 2,
Cu and Wa) that define the difference between pump-mode and turbine-mode theoretical
performances. On its turn, the efficiency is a parameter of the difference between the
'theoretical' and the real performances in both modes - and the specific speed determines what
is the share of the volumethc, hydraulic and mechanical losses [2]. Therefore, both are important
parameters for each mode of operation, but not to link the two modes.
In this paper we report a study based on performance data type experimental on centrifugal
pumps tested in pumps and turbine mode. In this context the specific speed is defined as

Ns P

Q
1000
.n.
60
( g.H N ) ( 3 / 4 )

(2)

The experimental parameters which are used in this model are water flow rate and height of
water level varies from :

Q P 145,00 l / s to 3.250,00 l / s.

Q T 210,00 l / s to 4.250,00 l / s.

H P 15,00 m

H T 20,00 m

to

145,00 m

to

215,00 m

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this paper we use different hydraulic parameters and performance in pumps and turbine
operation mode to establish homologous relationships (variables of the same type) between the
two modes of operation, ie not used as explanatory variables those associated with hydraulic
similarity.
Under the premise of the bit reliability presented by correlating both modes through
explanatory variables such as yield and the rate specified in this work has been developed from
experimental data base, relations between parameters or variables counterparts. But in this we
consider that it is important to continue researching to find more reliable techniques
determninar hydraulic and geometric parameters for turbine mode and with the same reliability
that is achieved in the design of large hydraulic turbines.
Post processing of data shows that there is some regression between homologous variables,
aspects that you can see in the Graph N 01 and 02.-

Graph N 01: (H/Q) Turbine versus (H/Q) Pumps

Graph N 02: NumEsp Turbine versus NumEsp Pumps

In accordance with the approach described, formulae for pump-to-turbine conversion factors
were derived by curve fitting to the data. The following formula was obtained:

H T = 1,45.H P - 3,38

[m]

R 2 = 0,983

...(3)...

Q T = 1,395.Q P + 0,0354

[m3/s] R 2 = 0,986
...(4)...

n T = 1,02378.n P + 3,58

[RPM] R 2 = 0,996
...(5)...

PT = 1,445.PP - 11,1

[kW]

R 2 = 0,961

...(6)...

T = 0,793 . P + 0,12

[--]

R 2 = 0,534

...(7)...
H
Q

0,9955.
Q

- 0,00274

R 2 0,989

...(8)...

(N s ) T = 1,084.(N s ) P - 13,9

R 2 = 0,949

...(9)...

From the graphs and mathematical expressions obtained, we can infer that there is a very strong
relationship between the parameters in pump mode with the parameters in turbine mode.
These are not possible to correlate by a single variable, but that the correlation should be
developed through homologous variables.
This aspect strengthens the methodology to infer variable turbine mode and allows improving
the accuracy of prediction methods.
The techniques developed in this paper can be used to simplify the representation of complex
pump data, to predict PAT performance under the BEP. They represent the combination of
well-developed and proven techniques, and can be applied to a wide range of centrifugal pump
types.

4.

Results and Conclusions.

From the experimental database considered, it was possible to find relationships to infer
hydraulics and operating parameters in turbine mode, data from pump mode.
It has posido encontras mathematical expressions to infer height, flow rate, Performance,
Power, Rotation speed, and speed turbine mode Specifies from pump mode homologous
variables.
The expressions obtained have a very good correlation, except for the performance, and also are
only valid for the range of head and flow considered.
As the pump in turbine mode is not a machine similar to the machine in pump mode, then it is
possible to infer expressions involving explanatory variable similarity parameters.

5.

References:

[1] Ministerio de Planificacin; Secretara de Energa de la Nacin - Av. Paseo Coln 171 Capital
Federal - CP:C1063ACB - Repblica Argentina http://www.energia.gov.ar September 2013.
[2] Stepanoff, A.J.. Centrifugal and axial flow pumps, John Wiley and Sons, New York. - 1957
[3] Williams, A.- Pumps as turbines a user's guide, intermediate Technology publications,
London. - 1995
[4] Mateus RICARDO - Estudo de grupos moto-bomba operando como grupos geradores em
microcentrais hidreltricas Itajub (MG) Brasil - 2007.-

[5] Johann F. Glich Centrifugal Pumps ISBN 978-3-540-73694 Springer-Verlag Berlin

Heidelberg 2008
[6] Thoma, D. , Vorgaenge beim Ausfallen des Antriebes von Kreiselpumpen; Mitt. Hyd. Inst.
Tech. Hochschule, Muenchen, Vol. 4, pp 102-104. -1931

Orlando A. AUDISIO is a Senior Research Engineer with UNCo, an international energy

consultancy rm which specialises in renewable energy engineering. He has 25 years
professional experience in renewable energy, with particular emphasis on (i) the planning,
research, design, testing and project management of hydropower systems, especially microhydro in Patagonia Region of Argentina, and (ii) the technical
assessment, economics, nancing options and market analysis of all renewable energy
technologies for rural energy supply.