SOLAR POWER PUMP:

A solar powered pump is a pump running on the power of the sun. A solar powered pump can be more environmentally friendly and economical in its operation compared to pumps powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE) or animal power.

COMPONENTS:
Unlike a normal pump (such as positive displacement pumps, ...), the solar powered pump is actually a more of a dictionary phrase than a technical one.It is only used to describe that there's a pump, being powered by another device (such as solar panels), being powered by the renewable electricity generated from the sun (solar electricity). A solar powered pump thus consist of 4 parts :
   

the actual fluid pump (that actually moves (pumps) gases or liquids under pressure) the controller (adjusting speed and output power according to input from solar panels) the engine (usually an electric motor) the energy source being powered by the sun (usually photovolatic cells (solar panels))

Solar array (photovolatic cells, solar panels) takes up 50% - 80% of the whole setup cost, which is the most expensive part. There are two major types of solar pumps, DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current). DC solar pump:
   

power output up to 2kW suitable for small applications (garden fountain, landscaping) relatively low-priced (require slightly less solar panel) low compatibility (only selected controller work selected motor)

AC solar pump: A solar pumping inverter is needed in AC solar pump setup. The inverter converts DC generated from solar array to AC to drive the pumps in the mean time (as the controller) to control output and speed.


power output range from 150W to 55kW

suitable for all kinds of applications from landscaping to irrigation, especially large scale such as farmland irrigation, desert control, etc.

high compatibility (inverter works with different kinds of AC motor and pump)

If you have got a solar fountain at your home, then you must have learnt that it is very convenient to install the solar fountain in your backyard. But the actual situation may be that you do not know what to do with your solar garden fountain or the tabletop fountain. The following 3 steps will help you accomplish the setup and then just enjoy the beauty your new solar water fountain brings to you. 1. Initiate the pump Any kind of water pump, regardless whether the electricity powered water pump or solar powered pump, can not have a good performance if it is pumping air. To initiate the solar pump, you need to put the body into the water so that the intake can fill with water and the air inside can be removed at the same time. This process takes a little time but is quite essential. This step should be every time when is has ever been detached from the solar water fountain and has not worked for a period of time. 2. Expose the solar panel to sunlight With the solar power as the energy source, you can place the solar powered fountain anywhere as you like, however be sure the solar panel must be located where the panel can receive maximum sunbeam. The longer the solar panel is exposed, the more energy it will get for the fountain to work. 3. Get the debris out of the water Though most solar powered pumps are equipped with a filter to prevent dust and waste from blocking the solar fountain intake, the choice of water type can still exert some influence the fountain performance. The fact is that the purer water enables more efficient pumping. The tap water which seems to be quite pure can also leave some minerals from the water in the pump. To prevent this, distilled water can be used, which however would cost more. On the other hand, you can also change the water more frequently and pay more attention of the water cleaning.

WATER PUMP:
Solar PV water pumping systems are used for irrigation and drinking water in India. The majority of the pumps are fitted with a 200 watt - 3,000 watt motor are powered with 1,800 Wp PV array which can deliver about 140,000 liters of water/day from a total head of

10 meters. By 30 September, 2006, a total of 7,068 solar PV water pumping systems have been installed

PUMP:
A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries. A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps.Their names describe the method for moving a fluid.

Positive displacement pump:

A positive displacement pump causes a fluid to move by trapping a fixed amount of it and then forcing (displacing) that trapped volume into the discharge pipe. Some positive displacement pumps work using an expanding cavity on the suction side and a decreasing cavity on the discharge side. Liquid flows into the pump as the cavity on the suction side expands and the liquid flows out of the discharge as the cavity collapses. The volume is constant given each cycle of operation.

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT TYPES:

1. Rotary-type 2. Reciprocating-type 3. Linear-type

Rotary positive displacement pumps:

Positive displacement rotary pumps are pumps that move fluid using the principles of rotation. The vacuum created by the rotation of the pump captures and draws in the liquid.

Reciprocating positive displacement pumps:

Reciprocating pumps are those which cause the fluid to move using one or more oscillating pistons, plungers or membranes (diaphragms). Reciprocating-type pumps require a system of suction and discharge valves to ensure that the fluid moves in a positive direction. Pumps in this category range from having "simplex" one cylinder, to in some cases "quad" (four) cylinders or more. Most reciprocating-type pumps are

"duplex" (two) or "triplex" (three) cylinder. Furthermore, they can be either "single acting" independent suction and discharge strokes or "double acting" suction and discharge in both directions. The pumps can be powered by air, steam or through a belt drive from an engine or motor. This type of pump was used extensively in the early days of steam propulsion (19th century) as boiler feed water pumps. Reciprocating pumps are now typically used for pumping highly viscous fluids including concrete and heavy oils, and special applications demanding low flow rates against high resistance. These positive displacement pumps have an expanding cavity on the suction side and a decreasing cavity on the discharge side. Liquid flows into the pumps as the cavity on the suction side expands and the liquid flows out of the discharge as the cavity collapses. The volume is constant given each cycle of operation. Typical reciprocating pumps are:


Plunger pumps - a reciprocating plunger pushes the fluid through one or two open valves, closed by suction on the way back.

Diaphragm pumps - similar to plunger pumps, where the plunger pressurizes hydraulic oil which is used to flex a diaphragm in the pumping cylinder. Diaphragm valves are used to pump hazardous and toxic fluids.

Piston displacement pumps - usually simple devices for pumping small amounts of liquid or gel manually. An example is the common hand soap pump.