Design of Energy Efficient BLDC Motor Pump for Agriculture Applications

In the realm of residential, commercial, and agricultural applications, conventional pumps have long relied on induction motors. Nevertheless, a notable shift in the sectors like pump systems and electric vehicles where brushless DC (BLDC) motors are increasingly favored over the induction motor. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards primarily revolve around key parameters are discharge (Q), head (H), and power input (Pi), intricately linked to the motor operating speed. In the pursuit of improving overall performance, especially in terms of efficiency, the focus is on enhancing both motor and pump efficiencies. Single-phase induction motors encounter limitations in their efficiency and speed capabilities. In contrast, BLDC motors offer a more versatile and efficient solution, the ability to modulate speed and optimized efficiency make them a superior choice for water pumping in agriculture applications. A BLDC motor with a 1 hp rating, designed to function within a voltage range of 72V and rotate at a speed of 3000 revolutions per minute (rpm), has been proposed as an efficient and effective option for these specific pumping needs. The design and analysis of this BLDC motor are carried out using finite element analysis software MagN et. Through finite element analysis using MagNet software, optimized BLDC motor designs with varying magnet thickness are developed and evaluated, resulting in significant improvements in water discharge capacity, pump head, and overall efficiency when compared to single-phase induction motor-driven pumps. Specifically, there is a 15% increase in both water discharge capacity and pump head. Furthermore, the overall conversion efficiency experiences a significant enhancement, ranging from 7% within the nominal operating head range.