PUMPS & WASTE MANAGEMENT
Single-phase pumps: think lifecycle to tackle soaring energy costs
A wide range of applications are connected to single- phase electrical power and require light-duty recirculation. The conventional approach for these applications has been to install a low-cost, light- duty circulator. With energy costs soaring, however, this may not be a wise move, says Wayne Rose, product experience director – UK and EMEA at Armstrong Fluid Technology
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gainst the backdrop of the energy crisis, a few pounds saved in CAPEX are just a drop in the ocean, compared to the significantly higher running
costs of the pump throughout its lifetime. Building owners and occupiers have an urgent need to drive down energy consumption, and are focusing on lifecycle analysis rather than initial installed cost.
This can be a challenge when it comes to single-phase applications. Traditionally, the light-duty circulators used in these systems have been low on cost, but also low on functionality. In addition, many are not repairable, and are designed for only a few years of operation, which results in higher costs for repair and replacement. So what energy and cost savings can you offer building owners and occupiers with single-phase applications, as they face escalating utility bills? Luckily, some recent developments in technology for single-phase pumps could come to the rescue. Some of the energy efficiency advantages and connectivity you might associate with pumps for larger-scale commercial applications are now being incorporated into circulators for single-phase electrical power. So if you’re looking to provide a lower cost for the asset across its lifecycle, then this is a good time to review the features that are now available from the latest generation of single-phase pumps.
Beehive hp Ad 2 Oct21 & Dec21.qxp_Layout 1 17/8/21 09:55 Page 1 Single-phase applications
In addition to residential applications, there are many heating and water recirculation systems in commercial buildings, groundwater loops and geothermal systems that operate with single- phase instead of 3-phase power. The decision on whether to use single-phase or 3-phase power is usually based on the load capacity and the consistency of power delivery required. Single-phase systems supply power through two wires, and are characterised by dips and peaks in voltage, whilst in 3-phase systems, the load is shared across three wires, arranged out of phase with one another, providing a more constant supply of power. As the most energy- intensive applications tend to be 3-phase systems, the pump models developed for 3-phase power have traditionally incorporated more sophisticated control and connectivity technology in comparison to single-phase circulators. But the situation has changed over the last year.
Latest capabilities
The latest generation of pump models for single- phase operation follow the design standards for large-scale commercial pumps and incorporate proven technology which improves energy efficiency in variable speed applications. In the case of the new Armstrong DEPM pump range, for example, the models incorporate on-board inverters, making them capable of adjusting
Wayne Rose of Armstrong Fluid Technology
automatically to changes in load. Design point and setpoints can be adjusted to match on-site conditions and there is the option of sequencing the pumps to operate along their peak efficiency natural curve for all load conditions. Equipment loading can be optimised across the system as a whole, to achieve significant reductions in energy consumption. The pumps also incorporate a constant flow function, for maintaining a precise flow rate in recirculation applications. Importantly, the latest pumps for single-phase applications provide far greater connectivity than traditional low-cost circulators. Being able to see how system components are performing
32 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JUNE 2022
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