Reverse running pumps analytical, experimental and computational study: A review

A pump can be used as turbine and has good application in micro-hydropower schemes. Pump as turbine (PAT) is one of the best alternatives for fulfilling the energy demands and providing the electricity in remote and rural areas. In this study a review on the work done in the area of pump working as turbine has been explained. Based upon the literature survey, analytical, experimental and computational works on pump as turbine have been discussed. Several methods for predicting the behaviour of pumps in turbine mode have been developed but no method is appropriate for the entire range of specific speeds. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is also used to study the reverse operation of centrifugal pumps, but still results are not yet acceptable.