Despite the tight credit markets and challenging global economy, 2008 saw further consolidation within the pump sector. Listed below are the transactions that took place during the first and second quarters of 2008. Third and fourth quarter deals were published in the February 2009 issue of Pump Industry Analyst. Subscribers to Pump Industry Analyst have access to a 4-year archive on the website as part of their annual subscription. 03 June 2009
To really know how the industry has changed during the lifetime of World Pumps, you have to have been a part of it. Here, we present some insights from four professionals who have witnessed and moved with the changes of five decades in the pump industry. 19 March 2009
There are many ways to increase the efficiency of pumps. Here, Lew Beck at Oconee Nuclear Station discusses two of them: firstly the use of ceramic type coatings applied to pump internals such as the impeller and casing, and secondly through the renewal of original fits and tolerances. 05 June 2009
Comprehensive and interrelated communication between the field units and a central control station is indispensable in the modern process industry. This is particularly so where many pumps are performing delicate and accurate operations. Ralph Held, director of engineering and product management of sera at Seybert & Rahier GmbH discusses how a new generation of diaphragm dosing pumps lends itself to automation. 22 May 2009
Positive displacement pumps are still the preferred choice for metering highly corrosive and caustic chemicals. However, when it comes to reducing life-cycle costs, Chuck Treutel, P. E, of the Watson-Marlow Pumps Group, argues that peristaltic pump technology has the advantage over diaphragm and progressive cavity types. 07 May 2009
Ceramics have not always enjoyed the popularity of other non-metallic components. This has partly been due to cost and partly due to pre-conceptions as to their suitability for more demanding applications. Paul Manison of Morgan Technical Ceramics debunks some of the myths surrounding the much-misunderstood material. 23 April 2009
A consideration of the strategies to increase the energy efficiency of centrifugal pumps as a means to imporve the overall energy costs savings of the system. 09 April 2009
As the world’s population rises and developing countries improve their standards of living, there will be an ever increasing demand for fresh water. One option is sea water desalination. Here, we take a look at the main types of desalination and some of the technology meeting this need. 26 March 2009
Clogging, or ‘ragging’, is a major headache for operators of sewage pumping stations, and can be very costly in terms of downtime and possible sewage pollution. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Paul Uwe Thamsen of TU Berlin – Fluidsystemdynamik explains how recent research may change all this. 25 March 2009
Ten years ago, World Pumps put together a brief history of the pump industry telling the story of pump development since the Egyptians invented the ‘shadoof’ in 200BC. We stopped then at 1999, but here we bring the story right up to date with some of the main industry events of recent times. 23 March 2009
By monitoring the vibrations and acoustic emissions from critical components inside machines such as hydraulic pumps, fans, blowers or compressors, companies can improve their plant efficiencies, says Ian Taylor of Corus Northern Engineering Services (CNES). 23 March 2009
Industrial pumps are greatly affected by worldwide events as well as new technology. Products become available as the market demands them and the technology is there to produce them. Ann James of the market research company McIlvaine gives an overview of the changes of the last few years that have influenced key factors in pump development. 23 March 2009
AC drives are increasingly common in pumping applications. However, their operation produces harmonic currents, which can have a number of detrimental effects on system performance. Ian C Evans of Harmonic Solutions considers the role of active front end drives in harmonic mitigation. 23 March 2009
In this third in a series of articles on energy savings in pumps, Hans Vogelesang of PumpSupport considers the factors that should be borne in mind when designing piping systems. Many issues should be examined to ensure that a system will operate in an energy-efficient manner, both at design capacity and at partial load. 23 March 2009
The performance and cost effectiveness of many portable medical devices can be enhanced by tailoring miniature diaphragm pumps and solenoid valves to meet system requirements. Dan Schimelman of Hargraves Technology examines the issues together with recent advances in fluidic components. 23 March 2009
In the oil and gas industry, reliable pumps can mean the difference between a fully operating, efficient gas compression station and a bottleneck on the pipeline. Natural gas pipelines are often remote, and powering a pump and performing maintenance can be difficult. Oakley Roberts of Ingersoll Rand, explains the company's innovative solution. 23 March 2009
With the cost of replacement parts increasing each year, two wastewater treatment plants in Ireland and Wales wanted to find an alternative that would improve efficiency and reduce maintenance and whole life costs. Mono's Universal Parts range provided a cost effective alternative to branded progressing cavity pump parts. 20 March 2009
The terms of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, coupled with rising energy costs, has led to a radical rethinking about how pumping efficiencies can be improved using control strategies. Pump control specialist Retroflo has responded with a ‘breakthrough' system-wide pump control technology, as company founder and operations director Andy Laundon explains. 20 March 2009
The concept of sustainable buildings is beginning to gather pace, at least in part, and moves in the UK such as the new Building Regulations Part L2 have heightened energy consciousness. However, warns Kevin Jones of Schneider Electric Services and Projects, there remains the need for architects, building services engineers and those commissioning buildings to have a better understanding of the roles different equipment can play. 20 March 2009
As our energy reserves dwindle while costs continue to rise and as the spectre of climate change looms ever larger, it becomes ever more imperative to take action on energy savings. Recent legislation is now making the route of no-action impossible. Danfoss' John Martin, strategic business area manager, HVAC put the case forward for intelligent inverter speed control of fans and pumps in buildings. 20 March 2009
The Water Corporation of Western Australia turned on the country's largest seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant back in November 2006, starting the delivery of a planned 45 gigalitres of drinking water a year into the Perth public supply system. Bryan Orchard looks at the technologies involved. 20 March 2009
Corrosion is the greatest problem encountered in stainless steel structures widely used in seawater pumps - even specialised brine pumps such as those used in desalination, oil & gas, chemical, thermal and nuclear power plants. Here, M Miyasaka and H Yakuwa of Ebara discuss the solutions currently on offer for surmounting crevice corrosion and take a look at the latest advances in this field. 20 March 2009
Throughout the Middle East and Arabian Gulf, multi-stage flash evaporation desalination is very much the preferred technology for the production of potable water. Several factors contribute to this, the key ones being the abundance of waste heat and the corrosive nature of the region's seawater. Bryan Orchard looks at how one company, Japan's Ebara, has addressed the issue of seawater intake pumping. 20 March 2009
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. 20 March 2009
World Pumps grew from a need of the industry it served to disseminate information about technologies and to discuss the issues that mattered most to end users. Bryan Orchard, a contributor to World Pumps for the past 28 years, caught up with Richard Glithero, the magazine’s long-retired founder to discuss the publication’s early days, 50 years ago. 19 March 2009
A sealless high pressure pump from Hyrdra Cell has transformed the speed and efficiency of cleaning the undersides of a vehicle fleet. Man-hours were cut and recycling has overcome the problem of waste disposal. 19 March 2009
A competitive specification-cost ratio led a manufacturer of functional diagnosis equipment to choose Watson Marlow Pumps’ 314DK peristaltic pump head for its urodynamic systems. 19 March 2009
A European office block was experiencing problems with its HVAC system. The answer was found by installing Variable Speed Drives that could be integrated with the new control system to improve ventilation management. 18 March 2009
We all understand the importance of lubrication to create an efficient pumping system, but it true that purchasing an environmentally considerate lubricant results in compromised performance and increased costs? Frederic Farshchi, global industrial product marketing manager at Shell Lubricants, explains that advances in lubricant technology mean that environmentally considerate products have now been brought to the forefront in many high-profile applications in environmentally sensitive areas. 12 March 2009
In this article, Martijn Haan of Verder BV first considers the general construction and action of air operated double diaphragm (AOD) pumps, before discussing the particular advantages of plastic pumps for the safe handling of aggressive and toxic liquids. 05 March 2009
In the pumping industry, contractors often meet with difficult operating conditions, such as tunnelling deep underground or particularly abrasive pumping media. However, pumping in extremely cold conditions, such as near-zero temperatures, comes with its own particular risks. Stefan Hörnschemeyer of Tsurumi Pumps offers practical advice on what to do when the temperature drops. 05 March 2009
One of the things that often are crucial at a construction work site is the dewatering issue. Groundwater from surroundings as well as rain can flood the whole site if not dealt with properly. When digging below the water table, the amount of water entering the site from the surrounding can be quite large, but this depends on the environment. Ola Hällgren presents an introduction of the role of submersible pumps in controlling the water level. 05 March 2009
Until now, the choice between electric-driven or diesel-driven pumps for dewatering applications has not been an even contest. However, rising fuel costs have forced many engineers to re-consider their choice. Here, Roland Berns of BBA Pumps BV argues that in spite of the initial higher purchase price, diesel-driven pumps will pay their costs back many times over in fuel savings. 05 March 2009
Modern reverse osmosis desalination plants operate with high base load capacity and therefore the mechanical reliability and efficiency of high-pressure membrane feed pumps deserve thorough consideration. Production losses due to mechanical failure or higher energy consumption due to lower hydraulic efficiency can be significant factors in the plant operating costs. Miguel Angel Rivas, product portfolio manager for Sulzer Pumps, discusses the options available. 05 March 2009
World Pumps took the opportunity to catch up with KSB's Dr Klaus Wagner (vice president sales, Water Segment) to find out more about the company's current product development programmes and its commitment to the desalination and water supply business. 05 March 2009
The largest civil engineering project in Ireland entailed building a road tunnel under a roaring tidal river. The massive components had to be prepared in advance and floated into place. This involved moving thousands of gallons of water, so SPP Pumps were brought in to make the crossing possible. 02 March 2009
A food processing plant wanted to find a way to meet odour control regulations without breaking the bank. A range of progressing cavity pumps from Mono made it possible to enclose completely the processed meat and improve the working environment at relatively low cost. 02 March 2009
The pumping station at a European holiday park was old and in need of replacement. To transfer the site's wastewater and effluent effectively, the park decided to replace its current system with a package from pump specialist Mono NOV. 02 March 2009
A biogas plant required a solution to keep its digestion process working efficiently, ensuring that food waste was reduced down to comply with regulations governing animal by-product disposal. Mono's TR Muncher fitted the bill, reducing the waste to an homogenous product. 02 March 2009
Large buildings are prone to enormous variations in their water use. Any new system would need to match these variations using the least amount of energy. Here's how the world's largest commercial building met this challenge with a system that will not only pay for itself on energy-savings, but will also pay the costs to replace itself in its lifetime. 02 March 2009
When a Croatian hotel needed a wastewater treatment plant installed on site, but had no existing connection to the municipal sewer tunnel system, a bespoke plant was the only realistic option. A system of modular PE sewage treatment tanks with six Tsurumi submersible aerators was a cost effective solution that also met local noise level requirements 02 March 2009
When a Croatian hotel needed a wastewater treatment plant installed on site, but had no existing connection to the municipal sewer tunnel system, a bespoke plant was the only realistic option. A system of modular PE sewage treatment tanks with six Tsurumi submersible aerators was a cost effective solution that also met local noise level requirements. 02 March 2009
One of the more challenging applications for a pump is the hazardous conditions on an oil rig out at sea. A European oil and gas equipment manufacturer ensured that pump operators were safe by using a range of Bosch Rexroth products to remotely control its diesel engine-driven pumps. 02 March 2009
Multiphase boosting is widely accepted by major oil companies. When a large-scale oil project in Algeria prioritized high reliability and safety of the whole pump system and required a single point responsibility, it looked to German manufacturer Bornemann Pumps to provide a solution. Specialists in twin-screw technology and multiphase boosting, the company was on hand to demonstrate its strength as a pump supplier and as a partner for turnkey solutions. 02 March 2009
At a European sewage treatment works, operations relied on the efficiency and productivity of the re-circulating scrubber liquor pumps that control odour. Fluid handling systems specialist, AxFlow, supplied equipment and a decade on the company returned to see if its pumps had stood the test of time. 02 March 2009
A deteriorating water supply system on Toas Island in Venezuela made it necessary to install a large reverse osmosis desalination system, designed by the WET division of ITT. A steady stream of potable water is now available for the island residents. 02 March 2009
Today the demand for water is higher than ever. While changing rain patterns have caused difficulties, it is the rise in urban populations and the intensity of use that is causing the main shortages. When Singapore moved toward becoming less reliant on imported water, its water agency PUB, developed an integrated water management approach. Here's a brief update on the recent technological advancements on the Island. 02 March 2009
At the smelter of a platinum group metals producer in South Africa, a new pump was required to transfer highly abrasive materials and keep the slurry in motion during the processing of ore. The company decided to install three peristaltic pumps designed to withstand the demands and capacity of pumping slurries. 02 March 2009
Mining salt often leaves caverns that have to be filled to stabilize them once extracted. One method is to fill these caverns with tailings produced during the salt purification process. A hydraulic, quadruple-action piston membrane pump, ideally suited for abrasive liquid media, from ABEL was found to be the best solution to transport the packing from the hopper into the mine via a pipeline. 02 March 2009
At the Shanghai Chemical Industrial Park, China, a new waste incinerator system was designed to decontaminate and neutralize solids, liquids, gases, and sludges. Calling on a service and equipment supplier for the rock and minerals processing industry, the park was looking to achieve steady temperatures and efficient disposal, while maintaining a high level of safety at all times. 02 March 2009
A private health club in the UK wanted the best bathing water for its 8,000 customers. A combination of new filters and Grundfos-Alldos dosing pumps and controllers created an accurate and easy-to-measure system which made swimming a pleasure again. 02 March 2009
Various wastewater treatment processes require the controlled dosing of chemicals into the process stream either to assist the treatment or to remove undesirable elements. In order for the dosing pumps to work efficiently, works operators need to be constantly aware of what is happening in the treatment process so that dosing levels and speeds can be adjusted accordingly. UK-based Partech Instruments has developed feed forward control systems employing on-line analysers in the inlet stream to send real-time data to a dosing control system for automatic adjustment of the dosing pump. Bryan Orchard reports. 02 March 2009
Rainwater leachate from metal and chemical industrial process waste is extremely dangerous and creates a highly inhospitable environment for pumps. Tsurumi supplied its cast iron KTZ pump range for transporting the highly corrosive liquid and matched the client's requirements for a lightweight and robust product. 02 March 2009
A ski-ing resort in Colorado has to cope with a dramatic increase in population during its busy winter season. Its wastewater plant required a range of wastewater pumps that could not only meet the increased demand but work at more than 1.7 miles above sea level. Engineers at the plant found that Gorman-Rupp's T3 range improved prime and made maintenance easier. 02 March 2009
UK titration specialist Metrohm has released a method to determine melamine in milk powder and other food using ion chromatography after inline sample dialysis. 24 February 2009
A construction site in the US required a five-month a dewatering project. When the banks of the final cut proved unstable and the project ran into problems, Thompson Pumps had to work fast to install extra pumps and solidify the excavation floor – which ensured a successful outcome. 24 February 2009
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