Full TGIF Record # 21404
Item 1 of 1
Publication Type:
i
Newsletter
Author(s):St. George, Ed
Author Affiliation:General Manager, Sunrise Country Club, Rancho Mirage, CA
Title:VFD pumps out savings
Source:Golden State Fairways. Vol. 3, No. 4, May 1991, p. 32-33.
Publishing Information:Las Vegas: R/K Communications Group, Inc.
Keywords:TIC Keywords: Irrigation; Water conservation; Water use; Water use rate; Variable frequency drive irrigation system
Abstract/Contents:"Two of the biggest concerns shared by golf course professionals-especially on desert courses-are affordable electricity and water." Conventional pumps and motors should not be used on a desert course when there are Variable Frequency Drive irrigation systems available. "The pumps and motors on conventional systems either run at full speed or are turned off. Such a limited pair of options simply won't work on a golf course." The first problem is energy loss. "Because conventional pumps always run at full speed, energy is wasted unless pump output exactly matches the pressure reducing valve's performance. The second problem is line surge. When pumps are turned on, they achieve full output almost instantly." That means a wall of high pressure water blasts through the pressure reducing valve. VFD pump stations use computer controls and powerful software, not control valves, to precisely adjust pump speeds and output. "VFD technology can be used with standard pumps and motors and is automatic, efficient and capable of diagnosing problems and analyzing data. Southern Cal Edison has shown that VFD technology saves huge amounts of energy." That is why they rebate $100 for every VFD horsepower used. One huge 1enefit of VFD is its ability to help save water. The computer that runs the pumps provides so much information on flow, volume of water, pressure and the like, that many water saving adjustments are possible. The pump system gives precise information on the water which is needed and used. Finally, because the system is linked by computer, the cycling and water surge problems are practically eliminated. There is no way that a conventional pump station should be used on a desert course when VFD technology is available. There are simply too many benefits. Consider the huge power savings, reduced maintenance costs, fewer line breaks, power company rebates, flexible computer controls, and a long history of success.
Language:English
References:0
Note:Pictures, color
ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
St. George, E. 1991. VFD pumps out savings. Golden State Fairways. 3(4):p. 32-33.
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