Effects of humidity, performance and energy savings with wind pumping in sprinkler irrigation

Abstract

Introduction: The use of wind pumping for sprinkler irrigation eliminates the need for fossil fuels, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Energy savings depend on the availability and quality of the wind resource at the specific location, this allowed an energy saving of 27.66 kWh, which represents an amount of 146.77 kg of CO₂ equivalent per hectare, which was not emitted into the atmosphere. Wind pumping can be a cost-effective option in areas with good wind potential and high conventional energy costs. Objective: To determine the effects of humidity, energy savings and yield in garlic cultivation with the sprinkler irrigation system at the lowest possible cost. Method: The irrigation system is powered by wind energy through a multi-blade windmill with a tower height of 10 m. The following initial data were used to design the windmill, based on the experience of producers and technical criteria established for this type of device. Results: show that for these incident wind speed conditions the useful power of the wind pump increases according to the wind rotor revolution values ​​that range between 18.95 and 90.95 rpm, with a power coefficient of 0.22 in accordance with the weather conditions of the site and the specific characteristics of the designed windmill. Conclusion: It was obtained that the theoretical and real flow of the volumetric pump varies proportionally with the incident wind speed, the total precipitation in that period is 169.46 mm, it is observed that from the precipitation regime of the locality; however, the one that can be used by the crop is 61.67 mm for a coefficient of use of the rain of 0.36. In addition, in the three campaigns evaluated the yield of the crop reached values of 4.38 t / ha^-1; 4.51 t / ha^-1 and 4.46 t / ha^-1 respectively, with an average of 4.45 t / ha^-1.