Pumps as Turbines (PATs) are known for their ability to replace conventional turbines in Pico/micro-hydropower plants. However, selecting a suitable pump and estimating its performance in reverse mode is a challenging task. The overall efficiency of PATs is also lower when compared to purpose-made turbines. Numerous attempts have been made to analyze the performance of PAT in power-generating applications, and many scholars have presented their research on performance improvement and economic analysis. In this paper, a detailed review is conducted to show the historical development and current status of PAT technology. The review also presents the findings of performance prediction, performance improvement techniques, and economic analysis. The results of the literature survey demonstrate that the choice of an appropriate pump for a specific application significantly affects the performance of the PAT system. Among the various options, the Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω and standard k-ε turbulence models are widely used for simulating the pump as a turbine. Blade grooving and blade tip rounding are recognized as the most promising techniques for improving efficiency, with gains of 4.91% and 4.00%, respectively. Except for impeller diameter trimming, blade modification techniques proposed by various scholars have a significant impact on the efficiency of PATs; however, further research is needed to investigate the economic advantages of impeller modification.

The high price of purpose-made turbines always represents an active challenge when utilizing pico- and micro-hydropower resources. Pumps as turbines (PATs) are a promising option to solve the problem. However, the selection of a suitable pump for a specific site and estimating its performance in the reverse mode are both major problems in the field. Therefore, this paper aims to develop generic mathematical correlations between the site and the pump hydraulic data, which can be used to select the optimal operation of the pump as a turbine. A statistical model and the Pearson correlation coefficient formula were employed to generate correlations between the flow rate and the head of the pumps with the sites. Then, Ansys CFX, coupled with SST k-ω and standard k-ε turbulence models, was used to analyze the performance of the PAT. The analysis was conducted in terms of flow rate, pressure head, efficiency, and power output. The numerical results were validated using an experimental test rig. The deviations of the proposed correlations from the statistical model were found to be in the range of −0.2% and 1.5% for the flow rate and ±3.3% for the pressure head. The obtained numerical outputs using the standard k-ε turbulence model strongly agreed with the experimental results, with variations of −1.82%, 2.94%, 2.88%, and 1.76% for the flow rate, head, power, and efficiency, respectively. The shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model showed relatively higher deviations when compared to standard k-ε. From the results, it can be concluded that the developed mathematical correlations significantly contribute to selecting the optimal operation of the pump for power-generating applications. The adopted numerical procedure, selected mesh type, turbulence model, and physics setup provided good agreement with the test result. Among the two turbulence models, the standard k-ε performs better in estimating the pressure head, output power, and efficiency of the PAT with less than 3% errors when compared to experimental results.

The extensive use of the pump as a turbine (PAT) for micro-hydropower applications has a significant value from economic and technical viewpoints. However, the unavailability of the characteristics curve and relatively lower efficiency are the two basic limitations when considering pumps for power-generating applications. In this paper, the performance of the PAT is analyzed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software called Ansys CFX in conjunction with standard -. Then, experiments were done to verify the results of the simulation. Measurement inaccuracy effects are also taken into account. The initial performance of the PAT is refined by controlling basic design parameters (i.e., increasing the number of impeller blades, decreasing blade thickness, blade tip rounding, and adjusting blade inlet angle). Additionally, a new modification method known as blade grooving is also introduced in this research. Finally, all listed modification techniques are applied simultaneously to achieve maximum performance. The output of the study confirms that the adopted modification techniques have a positive effect on performance improvement. When the number of impellers is increased, the power output is enhanced by 5.72%, and blade grooving provides the most efficiency improvement, i.e., 7.00%. But decreasing blade thickness has no remarkable impact on the performance; the power output and efficiency are improved by 1.24% and 2.60%, respectively. The maximum performance improvement was achieved when the modification techniques are applied simultaneously with 10.56 and 10.20 percent of power and efficiency increments, respectively. From the entire study, it can be concluded that the chosen design parameters have an important effect on stabilizing the internal flow, decreasing the required head, decreasing the hydraulic loss in the impeller, and increasing the overall performance. The study also helps to figure out which modification technique is the most practical.

To meet the energy needs of the local communities, it is crucial to utilize natural resources sustainably. One of the best and most promising sources of electricity is permanent rivers, which are spread throughout the country. Designing an optimal power system and minimizing installation costs requires a precise evaluation of flow rates and pressure heads. However, many of Ethiopia’s rivers, which are suitable for micro, mini, and small‐scale hydropower plants, have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, this article aims to evaluate the hydropower potential of the three most promising rivers (i.e., Chemoga, Huluka, and Wabe) located in the western region of the country, based on a 10‐year daily flow rate history. Daily flow data were collected and converted into mean annual flow. The flow duration curve (FDC) was used to quantitatively characterize the variability of flow rates. Furthermore, QGIS was used to analyze the topographic information of the rivers. When the two critical parameters were determined, the respective hydropower potentials were determined. The result of the study shows that under high, moist, and mid‐range flow conditions, the Chemoga River exhibits the highest theoretical hydropower potential, with power capacities of 4729.20, 3495.49, and 2133.08 kW, respectively. Alternatively, under low flow conditions, the Wabe River has the highest hydropower potential, with a theoretical output of 673.35 kW. In all cases, the power output of Huluka is significantly lower than others. In conclusion, the findings of this study will provide a solid basis for the government and relevant stakeholders to formulate plans and policies for the development of hydroelectric generation in rivers.

In the process of changing tires, drivers require a suitable lifting device, namely, a jack, that can be inserted into a designated slot strategically positioned beneath the vehicle. Similarly, in workshops and maintenance facilities, jacks are essential for part replacements and maintenance. This research focuses on the design and analysis of extended handle pneumatic floor jacks specifically tailored for light-duty vehicles. The aim is to enhance effectiveness by enabling the repair of multiple vehicles simultaneously using a single compressor. The study utilizes ANSYS 2022R1 to assess the structural weaknesses of pneumatic airbags, aiming to explore technological advancements and develop an optimal airbag design capable of lifting light vehicles. Natural rubber is utilized as the airbag material, with thicknesses of 2.5mm, 2.75mm, and 3mm. The study investigates three different airbag behaviors: von Mises stress, strain, and deformation in two directions. A pressure of 8.2MPa is applied, and a weight of 4000kg is imposed. The results indicate that the 2.5mm and 2.75mm thicknesses are unable to sustain the load and pressure, with the weakest area identified between the natural rubber and the metal cast iron that contacts the cars body. Overall, the research achieved its objectives, and the findings will be effectively applied to model the extended handle pneumatic floor jack, facilitating tire lifting for maintenance and tire changes.

Agriculture is a major source of income in Ethiopia, with irrigation playing a vital role. Currently, smallholder farmers face challenges related to inefficient water and resource usage in agriculture, leading to crop failure, reduced productivity, and negative impacts on their livelihoods. This study presents the design and analysis of a sensor‐based automated irrigation system tailored for modern agriculture in Ethiopia’s Sidama Region, integrating real‐time soil moisture monitoring, weather data analysis, and solar‐powered automation to address water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices. The methodology included crop water requirement (CWR) analysis using CROPWAT 8.0, pumping system design, and photovoltaic (PV) sizing for energy efficiency. Proteus simulations confirmed autonomous irrigation adjustments that reduced water waste by 35% while maintaining optimal soil moisture. Results showed significant improvements in water‐use efficiency, with the solar pump delivering 22.2 L/min at an 18 m head using a 360 W PV array. The study highlights precision agriculture’s potential to enhance smallholder resilience in water‐stressed regions, offering a solution to boost productivity and mitigate climate risks, while demonstrating the viability of automated irrigation in improving water management and food security in developing areas.