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OFF THE GRID

OFF THE GRID. Property Irrigation System Alex Chepeska. Outline. Project Objective Background Design Decisions Analysis and Testing Results Implications and Future Recommendations. Goals and Objectives. Design irrigation system for remote areas of property with sparse water

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OFF THE GRID

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  1. OFF THE GRID Property Irrigation System Alex Chepeska

  2. Outline • Project Objective • Background • Design Decisions • Analysis and Testing • Results • Implications and Future Recommendations

  3. Goals and Objectives • Design irrigation system for remote areas of property with sparse water • Automate system • Must run without access to conventional power • Modify existing design • Increase functionality • Manufacture using readily available materials • Low cost • “Do-it-yourself” kit

  4. Previous System • Springs along stream served as water source • Pump at each spring • As output decreases more pumps added • 4 years of dry summers + 4 springs + 8 pumps =60 GPH

  5. Current System • 4000 sq. ft. garden space • 6 foot well producing 120 GPH • 4 pumps deliver water up 12 feet to crops • Distributed via drip irrigation • Solar panels to charge 12v batteries • Requires 2491 gallons/week

  6. Problems • Clogging pumps and tubing • When system is off water flows backward into well • Well produces 1/5 of the pumps capacity • Weather limits solar panel use • Pumps consume extra amps when batteries are full • Abundant water overflows stations

  7. Possible Concepts

  8. Design Concept 2: • Completely covered pumps, covered reservoir, tighter seals and screened irrigation output, backflow valves, full well operation, automatic shutdown, windmill/central control box, weatherproofed for winter, windmill charges extra batteries, 110v pump

  9. Other Design Decisions FMEA Design for X analysis • Manufacture • Assembly • Maintenance • Recycling

  10. Windmill • Type • Size • Blades • Permits

  11. Windmill Base • 1/8” angle iron • 12’ in height • Triangular shape • Setup instructions • 20-6’ sections

  12. Windmill Blades • PVC • Home made construction • Cut into quarters

  13. Generator • Home Made • Alternator • Permanent magnet generator

  14. Pump Selection • 110v Sump Pump • Inverted from 12v battery • $70-$80 • Replaces multiple 12v pumps

  15. Reservoir • Sold at many stores • Easy to maintain • Under $50 • Screen or full cover

  16. Automation Control • Backflow prevention valve • Auto shutoff • Rain sensor • Control box

  17. Material List

  18. Testing

  19. Results GPM = (HP*2178) / Feet of head = (1/6*2178) / 12 = 30.25 GPM Pump ran for 30 minutes So ….→ 30.25 GPM * 30 minutes = 907.5 gallons pumped

  20. Battery Usage • Plan for 12,000 sq. ft. * 1” per week= 1000 cubic feet 1000 * 7.48 gal./cubic foot = 7,480 gallons • 1 battery can pump 907.5 gallons 7,480 / 907.5 = 8.24 batteries per week

  21. Average Wind power

  22. Windmill Charge Time • 6 foot diameter Blades • Ave wind speed = 10 mph

  23. Windmill Charge Time • This gives approximately 51 Watts output 50 W/ 12v *24 Hrs= 100 amp-hrs of charge • Batteries require 75 amp-hours to fully charge • 50 W/ 12v * X hrs = 75 amp-hours X= 18 hours to charge 1 battery

  24. Implications • Find way to charge/discharge all batteries in succession • Lead-Acid batteries maintain voltage when dead • Parallel setup • One way diode

  25. Conclusions • Input spreadsheet with recommended specifications • Can be applied to any size property/budget • Feasible, but needs more physical testing

  26. Do-It-Yourself Kit • Spreadsheet • Windmill building instructions • Windmill blade creation instructions • Recommended products • Entire system assembly instructions

  27. Future Recommendations • Generator construction • Different windmill designs • Fully constructed system and testing

  28. Questions

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