Development of Solar-Powered Water Pump with 3D Printed Impeller

• Main Author: Andres Nelson S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2021-01-01
• Series: Open Engineering
• Subjects: solar energy; water pump; impeller; pv system; 3d printing
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-2021-0015

This study discusses a solar-powered water pump system with 3D printed impeller which was developed to serve as water irrigation to small and medium farms in Bataan, Philippines. One kW solar PV system was used to power an electric motor that drives the centrifugal pump with impeller. In order to minimize the power consumption of the pump, the material of its impeller was changed from brass to plastic using 3D printing technology. The water system was also made automatic so that the water pump will run and stop at the desired schedule of the farmer. Furthermore, in order to provide power at night, storage batteries which are enough to supply the load, were incorporated in the system. Through a series of testing, it is concluded that it is more economical to use a 3D printed plastic impeller than metal impeller in watering small and medium farms considering that there were appreciative changes observed in relation to their water output and power consumption.