AUTHOR’S INFORMATION PAGE

Engr. Michael D. Carulla

Faculty Research Promoter/ Lead Author
Department of Mechanical Engineering
School of Engineering and Architecture
Email: mvsakz3@gmail.com
Contact number: 09216828576

Mark Jasper C. Andrada

Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09483766813

Serge Ihvan S. Andres

Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09997133297

Chester D. Basto
Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09662801244

Paulino B. Dapiaoen
Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09087924615

Giovanni D. Dela Cruz

Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09068547182

Theodore P. Javier
Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09662194162

Ezekiel Brent T. Tambalo

Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09184354808
Ryan C. Lictag
Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09388077262

Stalin Marx M. Verganos

Student Researcher
Contact information: Mobile number: 09564450049
 DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF A NATURAL ENERGY WATER PUMP USING
AXIAL HYDROKINETIC TURBINE

Engr. Michael D. Carulla, Chester D. Basto, Ezekiel Brent T. Tambalo, Serge Ihvan S. Andres,
Stalin Marx M. Verganos, Giovanni D. Dela-Cruz, Paulino B. Dapiaoen, Mark Jasper C.
Andrada, Theodore P. Javier, Ryan C. Lictag

Abstract

Natural water pumps are environmentally friendly and cost less than electric or diesel-based.
Hydro pumps have more benefits from electric or diesel. This pump will help to optimize the
farm for irrigation and use less energy. Usage of the electric or diesel energy to obtain water for
agricultural needs is nowadays used and it's too expensive for them. Because pumps that use oil
are replaced on a regular basis, it is difficult for farmers and can cost them a lot of money.This
project would assist farmers in their farming by not purchasing or getting a problem involving
the maintenance of diesel and electric power pump.The efficiency of the natural energy river
pump in terms of the quantity and height at which water can be supplied depends on the
properties of the river on the capacity of the pump. Every type of turbine design has its most
efficient submerged depth at which it can maximize the flowing water’s potential energy. The
researchers use a four-bladed axial hydrokinetic propeller in substitution for conventional
propeller blade. The hydrokinetic axial propeller transforms the velocity head of the water at
which the turbine shaft flows parallel. The use of aluminum sheets for the pump case was
applied because of the property of aluminum, which is lightweight metal and has strong
resistance to corrosion at distinct atmospheric and marine conditions. A helically wound hose is
seen inside the case of the pump, where both the helically wound hose and the delivery hose
were connected with a swivel coupling. When the diameter of the pipe increased, the volume of
the outgoing water flow from the pump also increased. It proves that the volume of water is
directly proportional to the diameter of the tube and in the incoming water flow rate as expected.

Lead Researcher/Faculty Research Promoter: Engr. Michael D. Carulla

Senior Student Researchers: Mark Jasper C. Andrarda

Serge Ihvan S. Andres

Chester D. Basto

Paulino B. Dapiaoen

Giovanni D. Dela Cruz

Theodore P. Javier

Ezekiel Brent T. Tambalo

Ryan C. Lictag

Stalin Marx M. Verganos

Informative Abstract:

This research aimed to design and construct a natural energy pump using a four bladed axial
hydrokinetic blade for rivers to supply nearby agricultural lands. The pump was to harness the
natural flow of the river to power the pump itself. The researchers conclude that the pump can
indeed operate while only relying on the flow of the river as its energy source. It was concluded
that a faster river velocity will not directly result to a greater output flow rate due to some
factors. One of which was the maintenance of the 0.5 submersion ratio. If this ratio is not
maintained, it will cause imbalance between the air and water entering the pump. This will then
affect the output flow rate of the pump. The researchers recommend to take in to consideration
the ratio of the body to the propeller, the ideal weight of the pump and the type of flow of the
river.

Introduction:

The study focused on designing and building another version of a sling pump, where instead
of traditional propeller blades, axial hydrokinetic blades were installed. Therefore, since it was
focused on creating and testing a pump, the study did not have a population.The pump will be
tested at river points that showed the depth and speed needed to respond to the problems. This
will take into account the varying speed and depth of water at various parts of the river. The
properties considered by the pump will be the diameter of the hose, the elevation, and the
materials used. The pump’s efficiency will not be considered, however. The study will be limited
to a different version of a sling pump and no comparisons have been included with other
versions of sling pumps.

Methodology:

This study also used the process of engineering, which applied the engineering physics and
materials science principles for mechanical system design, analysis, fabrication and
maintenance. The theory of fluid mechanics and machinery was also included.

The investigator established the conditions for the construction of the pump. These included
necessary materials, water flow characteristics, pump size and propeller type to be used.

A.) Design Considerations

The design of the pump was based on the following considerations:

1. Type of materials to be use is rust proof.

2. The pumps immersion depth will be 50%.

3. Four bladed impeller will be use.

B.) Selection of materials.

1.) Weight of the pump.

The pump will be designed with a weight that is sufficiently light to be balanced by the buoy
at the front of the end pump.
2.) Pump Casing

The shell will be made of light and rust-resistant aluminum plates. The metal will be riveted
and the seams sealed with epoxy.

3.) Hose

For the coils of the pump, a PVC flexible tube with diameter of 1/2 inches will be used
because it can be easily formed and is light weight. Through tie wires, it will be attached to the
pump casing. With a swivel coupling, the coiled cable will be connected to the pipe. The
researchers will use the formula to calculate the length of the tube.

Using the formula above, researchers will arrive at an estimated length but add an additional
allowance for errors and future pump construction changes.

4.) Runner Blade

The runner blade is bound to be machined from an aluminum bar and will be supplemented
for refinement applying the utilization of additional aluminum sheets. Four bladed axial flow
turbine will be implemented due to its less vulnerability to debris dissimilarly with cross flow
turbines. In addition, axial flow turbines will exhibit a higher speed and less torque fluctuation.

5.) Back Plate

The rear panel will be constructed with the aid of a steel mesh which will act as a filter for the
water and the debris.

6.) Floater

The polystyrene ball will purposely be engaged for the floater to keep the pump partially
submerged. The ball is to be splitted in order to fit the top part of the pump housing.

Result/Findings:

1. Bucket Method - a simple way to measure the flow rate using household items. The
researchers measured the flow rate using the bucket method:

a. Measure the volume of the bucket of the container.

b. Pump water to fill the bottle.
c. With a stopwatch, measure the time how long will it take to fill the bottle with water.
d. Recorded the time it will take to fill the bucket.
e. Repeat steps two and three about three times and take the average.

The flow rate is the volume of the bottle divided by the average time it took to fill it

Using this data, the volumetric flow rate (Q) is equal to the volume of the bucket (V)
divided by the average time (t).

The average time is the summation of time of each trial divided by the total number of trials
taken.
 2. Float Method- The float method (also known as the cross-sectional method) is used to
measure the velocity for larger streams and rivers. The researchers measured the
velocity using the float method:

a. Measure 2m length of the stream and put a floating object.

b. Measure the time it takes the float to travel down the length of stream from step

c. Repeat step two 5-10 times and determine the average time taken for the float to
travel the stream. Throw the float into the water at different distances from the
shoreline in order to gain a more accurate average.

d. Divide the stream length found in step 1 by the average time in step 2 to
determine the average velocity of the stream.

e. The velocity found in step 4 must be multiplied by a friction correction factor.

Since the top of a stream flows faster than the bottom due to friction against the
stream bed, the friction correction factor evens out the flow. For rough or rocky
bottoms, multiply the velocity by 0.85. For smooth, muddy, sandy, or smooth
bedrock conditions, multiply the velocity by a correction factor of 0.9. The
researchers used 0.85 due to the rocks located at the bottom of the river.

The primary condition for choosing the areas is that the river velocity of each should be
relatively far apart from each other with differences between river velocities being
approximately equal. The velocity is being measured using the float method wherein, the
researchers will allow an empty PET bottle to flow freely on top of the water.

In order to come up with the appropriate findings, the researchers must use both descriptive
and inferential statistics. Mean will be first used in the study in order to determine the average
travel time of the float method for the selected areas in the river. All the travel time will be added
and will be divided by the number of trials. The outflow rates will be added together and will be
divided by the number of trials. The same would later be done in computing for the average
output flow rates of the pump at the optimum river velocity given different delivery heads.

Discussion:

Overview of the Pump

The water pump begins its operation by setting the pump on the water and allowing it to
submerge partially. Make sure that the blades are not touching the river bed so that it can rotate
properly and make sure that the water has sufficient current so that the pump can rotate properly.
A part of the river has a high current is the best part to set your pump to make sure that the pump
will not run away with the water. Tie the swivel which is connected to the outlet with a rope and
tie again the other side to a rock or tree which all these are set. Wait for a few rotations. The
pump will begin to pump out water.
Fabrication of the Pump

The fabrication of the pump is started by designing a cad model which will be the whole basis
in fabrication. A pattern was cut and transferred to the alumina sheet in order to get the duct size
and shape. The aluminium sheet was cut drilled and riveted to take the shape of the body which
is cylindrical. A pattern was cut again for the fabrication of the blade and transferred to the
aluminium sheet. The aluminium sheet was cut and welded to a 3m diameter tube pipe and
connect it to the body by the use of rivet. Epoxy was used to seal the seams. A 10 in Styrofoam
ball was attached inside the body on the front end. Flexible PVC tubing was coiled inside the
body and secured with epoxy. The end of the coil passes through the floater and outside the
body. Swivel coupling is fixed near the propeller to join the coiled hose to the back PVC
delivery hose. For the back plate chicken wire was cut and was secured to open end of the pump
with rivets.

Pump Design

The design of the pump consisted of a helically-wound 2 hose parallel to each other wrapped
around on the inside surface of a cone as shown in Fig. 1. The cone was fabricated from
aluminum sheets. The coil was connected to an output tube through a water lubricated swivel
coupling at the extreme upstream side of the pump and was open at the downstream end. The
downstream end of the cone has a back plate to let the water in and keep debris out. The top
portion was for air intake while the submerged bottom was for water intake.

Fig. 1 Pump Design

Casing- This was made from aluminium sheets. It holds and protects the coil hose and floater in
place.

Coil Hose- Half inch flexible PVC tubing was used. It collects water from the submerged part
and air from the exposed side. The alternating intake of the water and air pumps the water.

Floater- A hemisphere shape was cut from a 10 in. diameter styro ball. It keeps the nose and
propeller afloat. It also maintains the 0.5 submersion ratio.

Propeller- Fabricated from aluminium bar and attached with aluminium sheets. It converts the
river flow to rotary motion.

Swivel Coupling- Connection of stationary delivery hose to the rotating pump.

Delivery Hose- Half inch black PVC hose was used. It transports the water to the different
elevations where it is needed.