Abstract

One of the important factors effecting the efficiency of pumped-storage power stations is the losses induced at the hydraulic waterways. One part of the hydraulic waterways is the intake-inlet structure at the wet basin of the station. Through this study, a physical hydraulic model was constructed with typical relative dimensions derived from common design guidelines, to simulate storm water pumping stations adopted in Iraq. Sensitive and accurate measurement devices were used in the model to measure water flow, power and pressure. This research aims to determine the hydraulic effect of suction pipe size and inlet configuration as provided with bell-mouth end. This effect was investigated through observing the saving in energy consumed by the pump, and pressure reduction detected at the inlet section. Variables considered in the experiments curried out during this study were; suction pipe position (90º elbows), suction pipe diameters (5.08cm, 7.62cm and 10.16cm), and using bell-mouth inlet with different flow velocities. The results, generally, indicate that there is energy saving when using bell-mouth and when increasing suction pipe diameter. The best installation was through using bell-mouth with (10.16) cm pipe diameter were give best specific energy (power /flow rate) . On the other hand, The Largest energy saving of bell-mouth effect is recorded when using bell-mouth with (5.08)cm pipe diameter .