Encontro de Energia no Meio Rural

Abstract

LARSON, Dennis L. and RAWAHY, Salim Al. Development of a small solar thermal mechanical pumping system. In Procedings of the 4th Encontro de Energia no Meio Rural, 2002, Campinas (SP) [online]. 2002 [cited 19 April 2024]. Available from: <http://www.proceedings.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=MSC0000000022002000100049&lng=en&nrm=iso> .

The University of Arizona is developing a <1kW sized solar thermal mechanical pumping system that appears to have great potential for meeting small pumping requirements (~4000 liters/day with 10 m lift) in locations with adequate solar resource. This solar pumping system is believed to be applicable to many remote domestic and irrigation applications without access to electricity, relying on diesel power and/or having insufficient wind for pumping and to be a cost competitive, locally manufacturable alternative to photovoltaics. The system consists of solar collector, single piston diaphragm engine, custom valving, condenser and return pump. The piston actuates a lever connected to a lift pump. Testing in Oman is scheduled for Spring, 2003.