Equipment Showcase—November 2020
Pumps and pumping systems have multiple applications in power plants, and the valves and fittings involved with these pumps are key to their efficient and ongoing use. Pumps used in power generation facilities are generally centrifugal and positive displacement pumps. Centrifugal pumps use an impeller to move fluid through the application process, with the velocity of the rotating impeller imparting energy on the liquid, causing a rise in pressure proportional to the fluid’s velocity. Positive displacement pumps move liquid with pressure generated from resistance to movement of the liquid downstream of the pump. The liquid being handled usually determines which pump technology to use. Some of the leading manufacturers and service companies for pumps, valves, and fittings used by the power generation industry are featured here.
Chicago Pneumatic Offers Dewatering Pumps
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1. Chicago Pneumatic’s dewatering pumps are small, lightweight, and portable. Courtesy: Chicago Pneumatic |
Chicago Pneumatic features CPWE, a small range of dewatering pumps (Figure 1). CPWE pumps are ideal for customers in the construction and rental industries, including those serving the power generation industry, where small, lightweight, portable, and easily maintained pumps are required to perform daily jobs quickly. Included in the CPWE pumps are eight drainage pumps from 20 pounds up to 138 pounds. CPWE also includes four sludge/trash pumps of 22 pounds up to 143 pounds. They provide fast and efficient dewatering for a wide variety of applications, including excavations in construction areas; general dewatering requirements at mine, shipyard, and other industrial sites; fire brigades; utility installations; repair, maintenance, and cleanup tasks; and government and military response and preparedness missions. The design of the pump’s outer jacket for cooling and thermo protection keeps it running safely under various conditions. Chicago Pneumatic, Rock Hill, South Carolina
cp.com
Virtual Valve Repair Service Offers Efficient, Immediate Support
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2. Emerson’s Remote Assistance service capability uses augmented reality technology to help plant operators immediately respond to industrial valve issues. Courtesy: Emerson |
Emerson recently announced its new Remote Assistance service capability (Figure 2) to help plant operators immediately respond to industrial valve issues by using augmented reality (AR) technology. The AR technology uses a robust, secure channel certified as ISO 27001-compliant. Valve repairs are advised and guided by Emerson experts as part of the company’s expanding Connected Services portfolio in its Plantweb digital ecosystem. Using a mobile device, plant personnel can securely share their field of view through the AR software as Emerson valve experts help troubleshoot and solve valve problems. Step-by-step instructions are overlaid in the field-user’s application to support installation, calibration, or repair actions. The Remote Assistance service is available for Emerson valve, actuator, and regulator product portfolios—and in some instances, can cover non-Emerson products, as some Emerson technicians have extensive backgrounds in repairing products from other manufacturers. Emerson, St. Louis, Missouri
emerson.com
Atlas Copco Announces Three High-Flow Pumps
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3. Atlas Copco now has three high-flow pumps in its PAS model lineup, all easily transportable. Courtesy: Atlas Copco |
Atlas Copco Power Technique features three high-flow pumps in its lineup. The PAS line (Figure 3) includes the PAS 100, a 4-inch pump accommodating flows up to 1,232 gallons per minute; the PAS 150, a 6-inch pump accommodating flows up to 1,430 gallons per minute; and the PAS 200, an 8-inch pump accommodating flows up to 3,655 gallons per minute. The PAS open frame pump systems consist of a highly efficient diaphragm pump with a semi-open impeller and a large separator, allowing the pumps to pass true 3-inch spherical solids. Air is separated from the liquid and sucked by the vacuum pump, making automatic and efficient priming possible. Both wet-prime and dry-prime options are offered. The PAS pumps include a patented hinged door for easy access to the pump housing, making them easy to service and clean. They are easy to transport with multiple trailer configurations available. Exhaust emissions compliance is met by the Tier 4 Final engine, which is designed for low fuel consumption. Atlas Copco, Stockholm, Sweden
atlascopco.com
Advanced Pump Analysis Proves Invaluable
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4. Retrofit solutions can be used to permanently remove causes of failure through improved engineering, design, maintenance, or operation. Courtesy: Sulzer |
For those in the power industry, being able to identify pre-failure conditions and anomalous operation is important. Implementing pro-active maintenance strategies is well-known to have a positive effect on downtime (Figure 4). Sulzer now offers a cutting-edge software solution that can analyze existing pump telemetry to reduce downtime and justify engineering improvements. The company has combined its expertise in pump engineering and extensive experience in pump operation to create BLUE BOX, an advanced analytics solution that can deliver expert insight into any pumping system. With no additional hardware and a secure interface, BLUE BOX uses existing telemetry and communication protocols to analyze the data. It is designed to grow with future technological changes and provide continuous visualizations through a customized operator dashboard. Now, it is possible to predict the future of maintenance operations and use this information to optimize business performance. Sulzer, Winterthur, Switzerland