- 7 November 2007 -
Will sustainability end up costing the earth?
One way to cut down on energy use is to ensure that the pump is being worked as efficiently as possible and that means adjusting the speed of the pump to the actual need. Here, Linda Dingley looks at the approach by Grundfos with its E-pump technology.

- 25 October 2007 -
Improving efficiency through system-based changes
Almost half of all energy consumed by pumps is through systems installed in domestic and commercial buildings. Leading on from the UK government's new targets to reduce energy consumption, John Veness, a consultant with the BPMA, explains how system-based changes could dramatically improve the energy-efficiency of closed and open loop pump systems used in HVAC and pressure boosting applications.

- 10 October 2007 -
Specification mistakes and wrongly supplied equipment
Specifying and procuring pumps or their spare parts may seem to be an easy job but appearances can be deceptive. Sometimes those in charge are not as painstaking as they should be and make simple mistakes, leading to useless spare parts or unnecessary equipment being acquired, as mechanical engineers Rafael Ocampo and Braudilio Ruiz show.

- 12 September 2007 -
Tackling soaring energy costs in North America
European industry is fighting the battle against high energy costs for process industries. The same price crunch is happening in North America, and some companies are finding innovative new ways to save energy and money. Consultant Gunnar Hovstadius, PhD, explains.

- 4 July 2007 -
Life cycle energy cost savings through careful system design and pump selection
Much of a pump's initial cost is not through the initial purchase, but in the energy it uses throughout its life. However, proven steps can be taken to reduce these costs considerably when designing a pump system. Here Jukka Tolvanen, product manager from ABB's low-voltage AC drives factory in Helsinki, explains why it is important that all aspects of ownership cost are explored, not just initial purchase and installation.

- 25 April 2007 -
A quantum leap in energy efficiency for house heating
For decades it has been common practice to use circulation pumps in household central heating systems. The advantages are simple: a low noise level, an efficient wet runner motor and a maintenance-free design. Dr. Holger Krasmann, General Manager of the WILO Pump Group in Germany, explains the development of the technology and predicts its dramatic effects on energy consumption.

- 11 April 2007 -
Optimizing energy efficiency in parallel pump installations
Saving energy in systems with parallel pumps is complex. To assist with this task, ABB Oy in Finland has developed intelligent pump control software for its low voltage AC industrial drives. Jukka Tolvanen and Heikki Kervinen present the features of the new software and explain how it can be used to improve the energy efficiency of pumping systems without the need for an external programmable logic controller.

- 29 March 2007 -
Developments in biofuel processing technologies
Demand for biofuels is surging worldwide, providing new and growing opportunities for manufacturers of pumps and other processing equipment. Bryan Orchard discusses the processes involved in producing biofuels, the special problems encountered and the solutions that have been developed by equipment manufacturers.

- 6 December 2006 -
How to maximize bearing service life in pumps
Nominal rolling bearing life in centrifugal pumps may range from 20,000 to 80,000 hours. However, the actual service life is determined by many factors - premature bearing failures cause costly equipment downtime, sometimes even with very serious consequences. Bearing experts from NKE Austria suggest some simple yet practical tips to optimize bearing performance. more

- 16 October 2006 -
Dewatering and thickening solutions optimize wastewater treatment efficiency
Dewatering is a vital part of sludge treatment, and decanter technology is a proven way to dewater the sludge fast and efficiently. Noreen Comerford of Alfa Laval discusses a new technology aiming to increase capacity in the dewatering process of wastewater treatment. more

- 2nd August 2006 -
Upgrading pump monitoring for process efficiency using flow switches and flow conditioners
Getting the best possible process performance from a pump system is fraught with dangers - including velocity distortion, pressure fluctuations, and low flow or dry running conditions. Jim DeLee looks at some of the impediments to a smooth flow and explains how flow conditioners and flow switches can help ease the path to better process efficiency. more

 

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