Characterization and resizing of the water pumping system for aquaculture crops in El Rubí farm at Aipe-Huila

Abstract

Pumping systems allow the collection and transport of water for use. With the study of this field, energy expenditure in its operation was reduced. However, not all installations consider technical criteria, generating economic losses and service failures. The Huila’s Department is the national largest producer of tilapia, in floating cages or in inland ponds on riverbanks, requiring pumping systems. The Rubí farm at Aipe, cultivates 120 tons/year of tilapia niloticus, has 19 ponds supplied by the Bache river. This project achieved the characterization and resizing of the farm's pumping system. The percentage of water change, the flow and speed in the existing pipeline were determined and the optimal speed in suction and impulsion, the Reynolds in each section and the friction losses in pipe and accessories were calculated to determine the total load and NPSH available. It was found that the current system has rudimentary and obsolete facilities, and generates losses due to misalignment, poor condition of the skid, high vibrations and sediments that enter by suction. The current system delivers 12,405 m³/day with losses of 10.33 m of head. The resizing consisted of the redesign of pipes, selection of transformer, expansion joint, coupling, and filter, and the static and dynamic analysis of the skid, with analysis of resonance and natural frequency, and of the foundation, anchors and grouting, to finish with the implementation budget. With the new system, it is expected to reduce losses by 41.77%, reducing them to 6.02 m. The new system could decrease the operating time from 24 to 11 hours, implying a savings of 20,000 kWh/month (10,000,000 COP/month). 110,072,500 COP of implementation would return in 12 months.