Performance of small progressive cavity pumps with solar power

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Abstract
A small progressive cavity pump, rated at about 900 W, has been assembled and tested as part of a photovoltaic-cell-powered water pumping system. Torque-speed relationships for the progressive cavity pump, not readily available in published engineering journals, were measured and are presented. The pump was extremely well suited to lifting groundwater for small (domestic) supplies with solar power because it was capable of producing the full design head over a very wide range of speeds. In addition, the progressive cavity pump was robust, and unlike most other positive displacement pumps, would tolerate small concentrations of silt and sand in the water without damage. Very many of these pumps are already in use in parts of Africa and other developing areas, and excellent prospects exist for operating progressive cavity pumps with solar-energy-powered drives. Key words: pump, solar power, groundwater, water, water supply, solar, well, hydrology, hydraulic.

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