Energy management in a centrifugal pumping plant

This paper concerns the problem of operating region enlargement for centrifugal pumps. A hybrid management system is described, which combines both the valve throttling and the pump speed adjustment at variable consumer's demands and piping conditions. Solution of the consumed power minimization problem is found and realized with the flexible energy management controller-oriented software. To provide accurate pumping at low speeds, an algorithm for the affinity laws correction is offered. As well, an effective procedure is proposed aiming to provide pumping above the nominal speed under an accurate torque control.