Pumps & Systems, April 2008

This month, we begin a five-part series called "Focus on Fundamentals." These back-to-basic tutorials explore different pump types, including various centrifugal and rotary pumps. Part One focuses on centrifugal pumps with an overhung impeller.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

Biofuel production is one of the fastest growing sectors of the energy industry. To reduce our dependence on finite energy sources such as petroleum fuels and decrease the United States' CO₂ emissions, biofuel production is projected to increase by nearly 40 percent, from 6.5 billion gallons per year in 2007 to 9 billion gallons per year in 2008.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

A look at the role that liquid ring vacuum pumps and compressors play in the ethanol and biodiesel production process.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

Called the "fastest-growing alternative fuel" in the United States by the Department of Energy, biodiesel continues to play an increasingly significant role in the nation's future motor-fuel supply. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office and the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed in 2006 that biodiesel is the lowest-cost alternative fuel option for meeting the Energy Policy Act of 2005's alternative fuel use requirements. Late last year President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which further expands the renewable fuels standard and mandates one billion gallons of biodiesel use by 2012.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

When handling difficult liquids like sludge, restaurant grease or solids-laden fluids, the challenge is continuing flow through the entire operation. When debris or large solids clog a pump or pipeline, the entire process can stop within minutes. The shutdown, cleanout and restart are time consuming, and the costs frightening. It's a nightmare scenario.

It's also avoidable. Several facilities which process difficult liquid/solid combinations now rely on dual-shafted grinders on the inlet side of pumps to ensure continuous flow and prevent blockages. These powerful shredders apply several tons of cutting force at peak loads, ripping apart large solids or rags into smaller particles. The smaller particles flow harmlessly through pumps and pipes. These grinders are even used to protect a wide variety of pumps including centrifugal, chopper and progressive cavity pumps.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

To eliminate leakage, mechanical seals are the method of choice in sealing most pumps in ethanol plants. However, eliminating process leakage in rotating equipment does present many unique challenges to achieving long-term reliability. A primary consideration for reliability is identifying the appropriate seal design and materials of construction, and a critical part of the process is determining and installing the correct environmental controls for each application.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

Biodiesel is a relatively new industry. While the plants share a fundamentally similar process, they come in many different sizes, process variations and pumping needs and requirements. As with any new industry, there has been a learning curve to finding and adapting the best pump designs and technologies. A key to success is identifying all the needs of the application up front, and then selecting and sizing pumps that appropriately address those needs.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

Production, distribution and refining applications in the oil and gas industry rely heavily on motor-driven pumps and pumping systems. Keeping electric motors driving critical operations at peak performance is vital to ensure maximum profitability.

Pumps & Systems, April 2008

In the oil and gas industry, electric submersible pump (ESP) systems are probably best known as an effective artificial lift method of pumping production fluids to the surface. ESPs are especially effective in wells with low bottomhole pressure, low gas/oil ratio, low bubblepoint, high water cut or low API gravity fluids.