FINDING PROFIT IN YOUR PUMPING SYSTEM

Proper selection of centrifugal pumps is more important than ever. Getting it wrong can have drastic consequences on maintenance, reliability and efficiency. However, the selection process remains difficult for many users. Pumping System Optimization by the Hydraulic Institute is an evaluation of 1,690 pumps at 20 process plants. The study discovered some alarming results. It found average pumping efficiency to be below 40%. These findings should be appreciated in the context of pump economics. The general rule is that a pump and motor combo will cost about $1 per day per horsepower of the motor. While energy costs vary by location, this is a good starting point to begin understanding the potential costs. For larger horsepower pumps running inefficiently, the wasted capital can be staggering. Designing a fully optimized system without unnecessary safety margins can offer energy savings, better process quality and quantity. However, software evaluation of existing pumps can reveal slight system changes that may result in sizeable increases in production throughput.