Wind Energy for Low Head Irrigation

摘要

An air compressor driven by a wind turbine can be used to operate an air lift water pump. In locations where a shallow aquifer yields a limited quantity of water per unit of time, it is a successful economical method of pumping water for the irrigation of a crop that does not have a critical period of water demand. The amount of submergence of the pumping unit is critical. The efficiency of the system increases as the submergence increases. The efficiency is also dependent upon the proper sizing of the eductor tube. The factors determining the size include submergence, pressure of compressed air, quantity of compressed air available, amount of water lift, and quantity of water required. The rate of air introduced to the eductor tube must be controlled for efficient operation.