Estimation of the characteristic curves of pumped systems working as turbines through their curves operating as pump

The current research presents a methodology to select pump working as turbines (PAT) in recovery system in water distribution networks using their pump characteristic curve. The methodology is based on the review of the empirical methods that are currently proposed and enables the empiric estimation the operating point of the energy converter. The methodology determines the analysis of the operation point (flow, recovered head and efficiency) both constant and variable flows over time. When the flow changes, the methodology uses experiments curves that are based on characteristic parameters (discharge and head number). This proposal was applied on case study that is located in Callosa d’en Sarrià (Alicante). In the analyzed case, the recovered energy was 76884.71 kWh/year, representing 74.2% of the current energy that is dissipated by the pressure reduction valve.