Real Data Analysis and Efficiency of the TEA Mantova Casale (Italy) Variable-speed Pumping Station

Variable speed pumps (VSPs) are widely used in water distribution systems (WDSs). They can increase the efficiency of the system and reduce the energy consumptions, when the functioning conditions move away from those used for the design. Affinity laws allow to model the characteristic curve of VSPs, in terms of dimensionless flow, head and power. Efficiency of the VSPs can also be predicted, although the effects of the variation in the rotation speed can be questioned. In this paper, the experimental data acquired by TeaAcque at the Mantova Casale pumping station are interpreted by means of the dimensionless equations derived by the affinity laws. The measured “wire to water” efficiency of the system is compared to the theoretical one.