Studi Eksperimental Evaluasi Karakteristik Operasional Pompa Yang Digunakan Sebagai Turbin Dengan Pembebanan Elektrik

Abstract

The growing demand for electricity has driven the development of efficient and economical alternative energy sources. One emerging technology is the use of pumps operating in reverse as turbines (Pump as Turbine/PAT), offering a cost-effective solution for small-scale power generation. This study aims to evaluate the operational characteristics of a centrifugal pump used as a turbine under various water flow rates and electrical loading conditions. Experiments were conducted using five different flow rates (60, 56, 52, 48, and 44 m³/h) with a 4-inch centrifugal pump and a 1000 W lamp as electrical load. Measured parameters included voltage, electric current, RPM of the turbine and generator, and water pressure. The results show that the highest PAT efficiency of 37,0% was achieved at a flow rate of 52 m³/h, while the lowest efficiency of 30,2% occurred at 44 m³/h. The characteristic curves clearly indicate the relationships between flow rate, head, power output, and efficiency. In conclusion, PAT performance is significantly affected by flow rate, and the resulting characteristic curves can serve as references for selecting and designing PAT systems in micro-hydro applications, particularly in remote areas with limited water resources.