Considerations on Water Supply Pumping Station Operation in the Context of Sustainable Development

Water and energy are among the most valuable resources worldwide, therefore specialists have to focus on technical means that enable better use thereof, also with respect to safety and efficiency. The study presents the operation efficiency improvement of a newly modernised water supply pumping station in Galesu irrigation system in the Dobrogea region, Romania. The technical measures led to a decrease of electrical power requirements by about 30%. A thorough study on the hydraulic shock pointed out the best protection solution provided with low-cost devices. A numerical simulation, conducted by the use of a non-commercial software, allowed to conduct a comparative study of the pressure field in different protection scenarios. The simulation showed no dangerous high-pressure values, but it revealed the occurrence of cavitation during hydraulic shock when the ducts have no protection devices. Simple protection solutions were compared, such as a two-stage closure of the check valve on the discharge duct and one or two air valves mounted in the most vulnerable cross sections of the discharge duct. The best protection was provided by a combination of these simple means.