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This wiki covers how variable speed pumps are modeled in WaterGEMS and WaterCAD, as well as how the different types of variable speed pumps operate. Further details can be found in the Help documentation or the Advanced Water Distribution Modeling and Management book.
The characteristic curve for a pump is fixed for a given motor speed and impeller diameter. However, this characteristic curve can be determined for any speed and any impeller diameter by applying the affinity laws. For variable speed pumps, these affinity laws are presented as:
where Q = Pump flow rate (m3/s, cfs), h = Pump head (m, ft), and n = Pump speed (rpm)
The application of the affinity law is the property field Relative Speed Factor. The relative speed factor is the ratio of the pump’s actual speed to some reference speed. Typically, the reference speed is the full speed of the motor. For example, if the pump speed is 1558 rpm while the motor is a 1750-rpm motor, the relative speed factor is 0.89. This relative speed is used with the pump affinity laws to adjust the pump head characteristic curve to model the pump, making it easier for you to model changes in speed for given conditions, like constant flow or constant head.
Note: If you are using a steady state run and you know the relative speed factor, the speed of the variable speed pump can be set in the pump properties. However, if the conditions that control the pump are not known at the start or an EPS run is being made, then variable speed behavior must be described in more detail.
Variable Speed Pump Types
There are few different variable speed pump types: Fixed Flow, Target Head, and Pattern Based. To set a pump as a variable speed pump, open the pump properties and set “Is Variable Speed Pump?” to True. When you set this, new property fields will be available based on the type of variable speed pump you are modeling.
Fixed Flow
A fixed flow VSP will adjust the pump curve be changing the relative speed factor so that a given flow is generated by the pump. After setting the VSP Type to “Fixed Flow”, you can enter a Flow (Target). You can also adjust the maximum relative speed factor value. A value of 1.0 means full speed.
It is not possible to change the target flow value as a logical control. See this link for details and workarounds: Is it possible to a model a fixed flow VSP where the flow?
Target Head
If you need the variable speed pump to attain a target hydraulic grade or pressure value at some point in the model, set the VSP Type to “Target Head.” There are a few new fields that will be generated.
First, you will need to select the control node. This will be the node associated with your target head value. This node can be on the discharge or suction side of the pump. There is a field where you denote if the control node is on the suction side of the pump. Tanks can be used as the control node; the pump will try to maintain a given elevation in the tank if a tank is used as the control node. To select this, click the Select option. This will open a Select tool bar so you can select the element.
You can choose between using hydraulic grade or pressure as the Target Head Type. Depending on which field you choose, you would then enter a target hydraulic grade or pressure value for your control node. You can also enter a maximum relative speed factor; a value of 1.0 is full speed.
It is possible to adjust the target pressure or hydraulic grade using controls. See this link for details: Using controls to change the target pressure / HGL setting of a variable speed pump.
Pattern-Based
If you know how the relative speed factor for the pump will change with time, you can use the VSP Type “Pattern Based.” You will be able to create a pattern that will apply a multiplier to the initial relative speed factor.
To create the pattern click the Pattern (Relative Speeds) field and click Edit. You can also go to View > Patterns. In the Patterns manager, right-click on Pump and choose New. Create a pattern based on time. This will be a multiplier based on the initial relative speed factor and not the relative speed factor itself.
Once the pattern is created, you should see it available in the pull down menu for the Pattern (Relative Speed) field.
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