ELECTRIC CIRCUIT FOR POWERING CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Abstract

An electric circuit for powering centrifugal pumps includes a power panel of the pump which is connected to an alternating-current distribution network and to the said pump by a power line provided with a timer that regulates the operating time of the pump; which further comprises a solar module comprising photovoltaic panels and a solar micro-inverter connected in parallel to the alternating-current bus of the pump, which converts the direct current generated by the solar module into alternating current and injects same into the pump power line, with the same values of voltage, frequency and phase-angle deviation as the current from the distribution network, when the timer activates the operation of the pump.

Claims

1.-2. (canceled)

3. An electrical circuit for powering centrifugal pumps, comprising: a power panel of a pump, which is connected to an alternating-current distribution network and to the pump through a power line provided with a timer that regulates the operating time of the pump, a solar module comprising photovoltaic panels and a solar micro-inverter connected in parallel to the alternating-current bus of the pump, wherein the micro-inverter converts the direct current generated by the solar module into alternating current and injects same into the pump power line when the micro-inverter detects voltage in the power line, due to the activation of the pump by the timer, and the micro-inverter checks that values of voltage, frequency and phase-angle deviation are within accepted values, and connecting to and synchronising with the network; and injecting current under the same frequency and voltage conditions.

4. The electrical circuit for powering centrifugal pumps of claim 3, wherein a number of photovoltaic panels and power of the micro-inverter are based on power of the pump, the power of the micro-inverter being lower than that of the pump.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to complement the description that is being carried out and with the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present description is accompanied by a set of drawings wherein, by way of a non-limiting example, the following has been represented:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a single-line diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the circuit for powering centrifugal pumps, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In FIG. 1, the circuit for powering centrifugal pumps according to the invention can be seen, where the centrifugal pump (1) is represented by the corresponding motor.

[0026] This power circuit comprises: a power panel (2) of the pump, which is connected to an alternating-current distribution network (3) and to the said pump (1) by means of a power line (4) provided with a timer (5) that regulates the operating time of the pump (1); a solar module comprising photovoltaic panels (6) and a solar micro-inverter (7) connected in parallel to the alternating-current bus of the pump (1), and which converts the direct current generated by the solar module into alternating current.

[0027] As mentioned above, when the micro-inverter detects voltage in the power line (4), due to the activation of the pump (1) by the timer (5), the micro-inverter (7) detects voltage in the power line, checks that the values of voltage, frequency, and phase-angle deviation are within the accepted values, connects to the network synchronising with it and injects current under the same frequency and voltage conditions; thereby reducing the current consumption from the network by the pump.

[0028] The number of photovoltaic panels (6) and the power of the micro-inverter (7) are based on the power of the pump (1), the power of the micro-inverter (7) being always slightly lower than that of the pump (1). For example, with a 750 W and 600 W power pump in the inverter a 670 Wp solar generator is required or, with a 1,000 W power pump and a 1,000 W inverter also a 1,100 Wp solar generator is required.

[0029] The impact on consumption is directly related to irradiance in the area depending on the season, for a pump such as the one in the first example mentioned above, with continuous operation of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. in Valencia, a saving of 52% has been quantified.

[0030] Advantages of the system compared to the solutions currently used: [0031] It is applicable to any mains-connected centrifugal pump, without the need for a variable speed device. [0032] It is also applicable to any small power pump (from 500 W). [0033] Low direct current voltage, less than 50V, compared to much higher voltages for variable speed device solutions, so it offers greater safety. [0034] Less required generator area: 3.4 m2 compared to 15 m2 in monophasic pumps. [0035] Reduced inverter cost compared to variable speed devices. [0036] It does not influence the flow rate of the installed pump designed according to the user's needs. [0037] Safety in the electrical service (mains connection), the flow does not depend on irradiance, energy savings do. [0038] Ideal for pumps with continuous operation in periods of high irradiance (spring and summer: swimming pools, irrigation pumps . . . ). [0039] Savings according to latitude of up to 65% of daily consumption under the conditions mentioned in the previous item. [0040] Scalable according to pump power.

[0041] Once the nature of the invention as well as an example of preferred embodiment have been sufficiently described, it is stated for all pertinent purposes that the materials, form, size and arrangement of the elements described are susceptible to changes, provided these do not involve an alteration of the essential features of the invention which are claimed below.