EDITOR’S PICKS
He continued: “Throttlingmeantwe could observe themaximum possible flowthrough each pump under test,without altering the overall flowto the plant. At times thiswas challenging, because conditions downstreamin productionwould change, altering the cooling load and in-turn the flowset point. Nevertheless, good quality performance informationwas obtained.
‘Strong case for robust savings’
“We found that all pumpswere showing signs
ofwear.Moreover, manufacturer performance levelswere not being achieved. None of the pumpswe tested reached themanufacturer’s BEP (81%). In fact, themaximumpump efficiency possiblewas found to be 75% (achieved by pumps 1 & 2 only). Our findings enabled us to put pumps into a descending order of repair: 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.While pumps 1-3 achieved a good relationship between power and flow, pumps 4 & 5were not performingwhen at lower flows. This indicated a high likelihood of internal recirculation – fromhigh to lowpressure parts of the impeller – being caused by highwear.Wewere able build a strong case for robust savings through the pump refurbishment. Broadly, two optionsweremade available:
■ Basic Refurbishment: Internal coating plus replacement of wear-rings, bearings and seals.
■ Comprehensive Refurbishment: As per the Basic Refurbishment, plus a newtailored impeller.
“We calculated that pump refurbishmentwould bring potential savings of £19,200 per year,with possibilities to refurbish 2, 3 or 5 pumps”.
This is just one example ofwhat Riventa say they are helping companies achieve across industries that also includewater, power, mining, petrochemical, to name but a few.
Advanced pumpmonitoring and optimisation are available too, continuously focusing efforts by evaluating and understanding performance gains across priority pumps and sites. And for some organisations, full optimisation of networks is available.
‘Change inMindset’
“Nobodywanted an energy crisis”, concluded Clifford, “but as prices soar,we are beginning to see a change inmindset about just how important it is to knowhowyour assets such as pumps, blowers and turbines are really performing. Initially, some basic testing might reveal some not altogether pleasing facts (!), but you can soon put yourself on a very positive course tomake some seriously good, ongoing savings”.
FOLLOW US
Wastewater challenge for township’s new package facility
When your small but vitalWastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) has BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) in excess of 700 milligrams per liter (mg/L) and had phosphorus levels as high as 20mg/L, it pays to have a firmadvocate of good clean effluent at the helm.
With its small population (358) but a fast-rising number of food and retail outlets serving the nearby City of Cadillac, thisWWTP in the NorthernMichigan Township of Haring was perhaps always destined for interesting times.
Before the Haring TownshipWWTP was built in 2014/15, all Township wastewater was handled by the City of Cadillac (population circa 10,000), but when this agreement reached what turned out to be a landmark conclusion, professional consulting engineers Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences, Inc. of Traverse City were called in to design a new, dedicated facility to serve the Township.
With its unusual blend of cities, villages, townships and counties, boundary agreements can sometimes get a little complicated in the State ofMichigan. After prolonged, heated debates about whose responsibility it is to treat Haring Township’s wastewater, a new state law was created to ensure that this type of dispute will never happen again.
Gosling Czubak pushed hard to find funding for the new, 135,000 gallons per day oxidation ditch treatment facility, helping the Township obtain loans fromUSDA Rural Development, plus $900,000 in grant funds and $1Mfromprivate business.
‘The challenge of high-strengthwaste’
“As well as securing the funding, we faced the challenge of high- strength waste and high-anticipated sewer bills due to the very small user base”, saidMark Hurley, Director of Engineering at Gosling Czubak Engineering Sciences, Inc.
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