Optimal Efficiency Controller Design of Pumping Systems

Abstract

This work presents a strategy to design an optimal efficiency controller for a complete water pumping system, aiming for both high dynamic performance and high efficiency. The novelty of the developed model is based on an optimisation strategy where a compromise is made between minimizing the electric motor power losses and accurate adjustment of flow rate by balancing efficiency and reliability through adjusting the operation point of the pump. To accomplish this goal, this paper presents the design of an optimal controller which integrates both the Minimum Electric Loss (MEL) control strategy, and the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), augmented by adding integral action and tuned using an adaptive Genetic Algorithm optimization tool (GA). In order to further verify the accuracy of the proposed technique, three performance indices as compared to the conventional PI controller in terms of control input and disturbance rejection. Finally, simulation tests performed show that the proposed optimal can effectively improve the adaptability and flexibility of the water pumping system to several complex working conditions and also has the ability to reduce energy conversion efficiency, leading to a significant impact on energy savings.