Clarification of Pumping Characteristics and Method for Utilization of Irrigation Water Wheel by Hydraulic Model Experiment

Abstract

This study clarifies the pumping performance of Irrigation Water Wheel (IWW) by using full scale, 2,000 mm diameter wheel, hydraulic model experiment. As a result, principal losses of pumping discharge depend upon the installation angle of the bucket and water volume in the bucket to fallen water volume for gutter. If the impact of these losses tends to be minimum, then the pumping efficiency, that is the ratio of measured pumping discharge and no-loss pumping discharge is 70∼80%, and pumping discharge in this experiment condition is about 50∼150 m³/d. Therefore, to reduce these losses, it is important to determine the bucket condition in consideration of submerged area of blade and circumferential velocity, and to install the bucket optimum angle. The revolution of IWW depends on back water, which is caused as the result of install IWW. The greater the installed bucket volume, the greater is the back water necessary for running IWW. And, the larger submerged area of blade, the easier it becomes for the backwater to run IWW. Flowchart that can judge the applicability of the IWW is developed using clarified pumping performance of IWW.