PARSIPPANY, N.J. (April 25, 2013) – Pump Systems Matter (PSM) the 501(c)3 training subsidiary of the Hydraulic Institute (HI), announced the 2013 Board of Directors and Officers during HI’s Annual Meeting recently held in Fort Myers, Fla. The new Board will be primarily responsible for providing organizational oversight to PSM and guiding the direction of its strategic training plan.
A hydraulic pump directly coupled with a servomotor is an energy-efficient solution that delivers highly dynamic performance with double-digit energy savings typical. The press manufacturer Lasco Umformtechnik GmbH, a machine tool builder in Coburg, Germany, uses this servo-electric pump drive for solid and sheet metal forming presses.
BATESVILLE, Ind. (April 2, 2013) – Elgin Fastener Group, LLC has completed the acquisition of Vegas Fastener Manufacturing of Las Vegas.
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (April 26, 2013) – The Hydraulic Institute (HI), under the approval of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is seeking qualified individuals in North America to participate in the review process for the draft of updated Standard ANSI/HI 2.1-2.2 Rotodynamic (Vertical) Pumps of Radial, Mixed and Axial Flow Types for Nomenclature and Definitions.
A large portion of the pipes, pumps, valves and other water infrastructure operating in the U.S. today dates back to the 1940s or earlier. With water systems crumbling, the U.S. loses about 7 billion gallons of treated water per year through water main breaks and leaking pipes, at a time when almost a third of the nation’s cities are expected to experience a water scarcity crisis in the next few years.
UFA, Russia (April 22, 2013) – GE and Russian oil company Bashneft have launched pilot testing of GE’s ZeeWeed* membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology for biological treatment of sewage water from the Bashneft-Ufaneftekhim oil processing complex and other enterprises of the Northern Industrial Block of Ufa. Strict discharge regulations, and the need to reuse the treated water, led Bashneft to choose GE's MBR, electrodialysis reversal (EDR) and reverse osmosis (RO) technologies for the pilot testing.
My January 2013 Pumps & Systems’ column focused on the reduction in motor horsepower (HP) as frequency is reduced by a variable frequency drive (VFD). I had several requests to revisit this subject and explain the relationship between HP and torque across a broad range of frequencies.
HP & Torque Relationship
The relationship between the HP and torque produced by an electric motor can be a bit perplexing. When that motor is controlled by a VFD, it can be confusing.
A harmonic sound coming from within a pump station is not the sound municipal sewer system operators want to hear. From the rhythmic clunking inside the 4,000-gallon-per-minute Lift Station No. 9, Wayne Johnson knew he had an impending problem—perhaps a big one.
NEWNAN, Ga. (April 19, 2013) – Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that its subsidiary, Yokogawa Electric Korea Co., Ltd., has won an order from Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., (KOSEP), a subsidiary of Korean Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), to supply control systems for the No. 1 unit of the Yeosu Thermal Power Plant in the city of Yeosu, which is located in Korea’s South Jeolla Province.
How important is the hardfacing requirement below the sleeve bearings in the 416 stainless steel (ss) shaft of a vertical turbine pump used to move condensate? Consider an example with a condensate pump that has carbon bearings.
Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota takes its environment and its water resources seriously. That is why the city of Mayer, a town of about 1,800 in Carver County, Minn., was proud to have its wastewater treatment plant operator recognized by the Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) for implementing innovative energy savings using variable frequency drives (VFDs).
The recipient of the award, Greg Kluver, had worked for Mayer in several capacities since 1990 and is currently the wastewater contract operator.
DALFSEN, Netherlands (April 18, 2013) – Amarcon, a member of the ABB group, announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) to market and further develop a forecasting and advice software system for sloshing prevention onboard LNG carriers. The agreement was signed at the LNG17 Conference & Exhibition in Houston.
In today’s uncertain economy, keeping pumping systems and stations operating at their optimum capability is vital. However, many organizations responsible for this crucial task do not perform regular health checks on their pump systems.
Most people would not run their car or home heating units until they break down or stop working. Similarly, most people maintain their health with visits to the doctor or dentist.
When director Peter Jackson went searching for Hobbiton for his Lord of the Rings trilogy, wastewater treatment was probably the farthest thing from his mind. He discovered Tolkien’s picturesque world in the rolling hills of a sheep farm in an isolated corner of New Zealand. When the movie set became a tourist attraction with a new pub, a recirculating textile filter was cast in the role of lead wastewater system.
MANCHESTER, U.K. (April 16, 2013) – NOV® Mono® announced a new working partnership which will enhance the levels of support which the company delivers to customers in the wastewater industry in Northern Germany. NOV Mono has begun working in co-operation with a leading service provider in this sector – Preetz-based Walter Fiedler – who will be making their considerable experience of the German wastewater industry available to customers in the Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg areas.
Cost reduction is a driving force in pump design. The manufacturing cost of centrifugal and mixed pumps generally varies with the volume of the pump. To reduce manufacturing costs, the pump diameter must be reduced for a given head, which results in an increase in head coefficient. Generally, an increase in head coefficient can lead to a reduction in efficiency and suction performance.
Industrial equipment is an expensive preliminary expenditure that is followed by an inherent operational and maintenance support cost. Pumps can fail for many reasons, and when repairs are needed, end users should consider all aspects to determine cost versus value. When an organization makes a large expenditure—whether it is an asset purchase or a major overhaul or repair—considering the payback period or investment recovery time is important.
NEWNAN, Ga. (April 12, 2013) – Yokogawa Electric Corporation and KBR announced the signing of a technology alliance for a fertilizer automation package (FAP) that will form part of the ammonia process technology solutions that KBR offers to its customers worldwide. Under the terms of this alliance, KBR will incorporate Yokogawa’s high value-added process control solutions in the FAP.
In most piping systems, particularly large diameter, swing check valves are installed (see Figure 1). They ensure that fluid in the system flows in one direction to prevent backflow that can cause contamination, stop over-pressurization events and act as a safety device to avoid the complete drainage of a piping system should a rupture occur.
What are line check valves? How do I install them to avoid the upthrust and downthrust that happens with submersible pumps?
TREVOSE, Pa. (April 11, 2013) – GE announced the commissioning of its high-performance LEAPmbr* membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology at a wastewater treatment plant owned by the Spanish poultry processing firm, Procavi S.L. GE’s LEAPmbr technology will help Procavi improve water quality and double its water treatment capacity without expanding the existing facility. This is the first industrial LEAPmbr installation in Spain.
Q. What are the effects of increasing temperature on the magnetic couplings in a rotary sealless pump?
A. Eddy currents in the containment shell are one source of heat in a sealless pump. Heat is also generated by liquid friction as the inner magnet moves through the liquid inside the containment shell.
We are looking for a Field Service Technician-Supervisor to work out of our Aston, PA. facility.
HOUSTON (April 10, 2013) – Wood Group GTS was awarded a $11.2 million contract to re-rate one of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP’s) Hitachi hydro turbine generators at the Castaic Power Plant, a pumped storage facility 50 miles north of Los Angeles. This contract will complete the upgrade of the sixth and final turbine generator, undertaken as part of the Castaic Power Plant modernization program.
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (April 29, 2013) – Michael J. Burdulis, age 67, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Carlisle Regional Medical Center. Born December 12, 1945 in Scranton, he was a son of the late Anthony and Evangeline Burdulis. He was a retired Corporate Executive from Coltec Industries. He was a real techie, loved spending time with his grandchildren and his dog Phoebe, and enjoyed bowling, golf, travel, and reading. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree in business in 1974 by Rochester Institute of Technology.
