Global Advanced Research Journal of Engineering, Technology and Innovation May 2012 Vol. 1(2), pp 025-032 

Copyright © 2012 Global Advanced Research Journals   

Original Research Articles

An experimental study of the solar Jack pump 

Albert Kojo Sunnua,* and Amakiri Abor Anthonya 

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Kumasi, Ghana. 

Corresponding author Email: aksunnu.soe@knust.edu.gh 

Accepted 01 May, 2012


Abstract

An experimental study of the performance characteristics of a water jack pump powered by solar energy at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Workshop of the KNUST, Kumasi has been conducted.  The 0.062 m plunger diameter, 0.16 m stroke, lift pump recorded an average hourly discharge of 0.546 m3/h and an overall efficiency of 1.2% at a head of 5.6 m. The Volumetric efficiency of the system, ηv was 98%.  The array efficiency of the solar panel was ηp 11%. The water pump system usually started between 9h00-10h00 a.m. with an average start-up and cut off threshold irradiation of 350 W/m2 and operated for about 6 hours daily.  Although the efficiency was small, the fulfilment of a daily discharge of 3.3 m3/d was enough to supply 73 persons per day in Kumasi, Ghana, with 45 litres minimum standpipe water demand per capita per day. 

Keywords: Solar energy, Solar powered pump, Pump discharge, Solar panel, Array power