MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

LECTURAS SOBRE
BOMBAS CENTRFUGAS

21 de septiembre del 2017

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MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Basics Concepts: Casings & Impellers

When you boil them down to the most fundamental components, pumps are made up of
two components:

An impeller which creates velocity through rotation,

And a casing which converts velocity into pressure.

There are different types of impellers and different types of casings. The way that
different types of impellers and casings are combined produces all of the different types
of pumps.

Types of Pump Casings

There two basic types of pump casings: volutes and diffusers.

Whether were talking about volutes or diffusers, what all casings have in common is
that they are designed to take energy in the form of velocity and convert it into pressure.

Volutes

Image from A Brief Introduction to Centrifugal

Pumps

Volutes are designed to capture the velocity of liquid

as it enters the outermost diameter of an impeller and
convert the velocity of the liquid into pressure.

In the picture to the right, notice that the impeller is

not located in the center of the volute. This is
intentional. The portion of the volute that extends
closest to the impeller is called the cutwater.

You will notice, that starting from the cutwater and proceeding in a counter-clockwise
fashion, the distance between the volute and the impeller increases gradually. This has
the effect of causing pressure to build within the volute as the distance increases. Once
the point of greatest separation is reached directly next to the cutwater moving in
clockwise direction the pressure is at its greatest, and water is forced out the casing
when it encounters the cutwater.

Diffusers

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MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

image from Pump Handbook by Igor Karassik

What a cutwater is to a volute, vanes are to a diffuser.

While volutes only have one (or sometimes two)
points where the edge of the casing approaches the
edge of the impeller in order to begin building
pressure, diffusers often have many vanes. In the case
of the assembly drawing shown the diffuser contains
10 vanes as compared the volute casing which only
has one.

Also, while an impeller is placed in the center of a volute, an impeller generally sits
directly adjacent to a diffuser and pushes water into the diffuser vanes.

The basic function of a diffuser is similar to that of a volute. Diffuser vanes are
positioned such that they begin close to the outer edge of the impeller and then
gradually extend away from the impeller periphery.

Impellers
Impellers are usually classified in two ways:

Specific Speed (Ns): The relationship between the amount of flow an impeller
produces and the amount of head or pressure generated is called specific speed.
Physical Design: Details such as whether an impeller is open or enclosed,
whether it is single or double suction, and the way the impeller vanes are
designed can all be used to describe and classify impellers.

Specific Speed (Ns)

Specific speed, also referred to as Ns, describes the relationship between how much
flow an impeller produces and how much head it generates. When the specific speed of
an impeller is calculated, the result is the speed at which a theoretical impeller of the
same geometric design, but only 1 in diameter, would have to operate to produce a
flow of 1 gallon per minute and 1 foot of total dynamic head.

That sounds pretty confusing doesnt it? To understand this concept, an example is
called for.

Impeller No. 1: Used in a flood control pump, this impeller generates a great
deal of flow, but very little pressure.
Impeller No. 2: Used in a boiler-feed pump, this impeller generates a great deal
of pressure, but not very much flow.

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MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Impeller No. 1 would have a high specific speed. This impeller design generates very
little pressure relative to the amount of flow generated. As a result, a theoretical 1
impeller of this design would have to operate at a very high speed to produce a flow of
1 GPM and 1 Ft of TDH.

Impeller No. 2 would have a low specific speed. This impeller design generates a great
deal of pressure relative to the amount of flow generates. As a result, a theoretical 1
impeller of this design could operate at a relatively low speed and produce a flow of 1
GPM and 1 Ft of TDH.

Below is a commonly-available graph that shows this relationship and how it affects
impeller design.

Specific Speed Graph | Source: Wikipedia

As you can see, impellers with lower specific speeds (low-flow but high-head designs)
have very tight clearances. On the other end of the spectrum, you see impellers with
high specific speeds (high-flow but low-head designs). These impellers, which are
commonly called propellers once we reach the axial-flow field, have increasingly large
internal clearances until you reach the axial-flow field in which case the impellers are
completely open with no impeller covering or shroud.

Physical Design

Another way to classify impellers is according to the design. This method of

classification is not unrelated to specific speed, and the specific speed of the impeller
plays a large role in determining the physical design of the impeller.

Open vs. Enclosed

One differentiation in impeller design is the use or lack of a shroud or covering.

Impellers with a top and bottom shroud are said to be enclosed impellers. Impellers
without any shroud at all are said to be open impellers.

There are also single-shroud impellers in some specialty pumps, such as vortex
impellers in solids-handling pumps. Such designs only have a top shroud and the
impeller vanes are completely open to the liquid being pumped. Impellers of the single-

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MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

shroud variety are ideally suited for applications where a large number of solids that
might clog a shrouded impeller are present. However, single-shroud vortex impellers
are much less efficient than enclosed impeller designs.

Single vs. Double Suction:

Image from Pump Handbook by Igor Karassik

All of the impellers shown in the specific speed table above

are of the single-suction design. This means that there is a
single portion of the impeller that is designed to take in water.
There are also impellers designed to take suction from both
sides of the impeller. A drawing of this type of impeller can be seen to the right.

A double-suction impeller is a more balanced design than a single suction impeller

because the two-sided design of the impeller balances the axial thrust loads imposed on
the impeller and transmitted through the shaft to the pump bearings.

Vane Design

Some impellers have many vanes and tight internal clearances. These are typically
intended for water service and generally fall between the radial-vane and francis-vane
specific speed fields. Other impellers have just one or two vanes and large internal
clearances. These types are often called solids-handling impellers and generally fall
between the Francis-vane and mixed-flow fields. Still others are designed with a single
vane and no lower shroud, or with vanes that do not extend very far down into product
being pumped. These are called screw and vortex impellers respectively, and are
intended for applications with a high concentration of solids. Finally, there are impellers
will no shroud at all, top or bottom, such as what you see in the axial-flow field.

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

NNOVATION
EFFICIENCY
QUALITY

VTP
Vertical Turbine Pump

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

For more than 60 years the name RuhrpumpenTM has been synonymous worldwide
with innovation and reliability for pumping technology

Ruhrpumpen is an innovative and efficient centrifugal pump technology company that offers operators of Pump Systems and a wide
range of quality products. Ruhrpumpen is committed to global excellence with a complete range of Pumps, Fire Pump packages and
related products, such as Decoking Systems and Tools to support the core markets, namely Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power, Heavy
Industry applications, Mining and Water services.

The broad product line complies with the most demanding quality specifications and goes beyond stringent industry standards such
as API, ANSI, Hydraulic Institute, Underwriters Laboratories, Factory Mutual and ISO 9001.

Ruhrpumpen is a vertically integrated company with its own foundry, machine shop, pump manufacturing plants and service centers.
With strategically located manufacturing plants, operating offices and service centers in many parts of the world, Ruhrpumpen is
truly a global pump company which also has the strength to focus on the local necessities of each client.

Vertical Turbine Pumps

VTP pumps are normally designed to operate in wells or sumps. The bowl
assembly consists of a suction case or bell, one or more series cases, impeller
assemblies, and a discharge case. The number of stages (impellers) supplied
is determined by the head requirements of the system. The pump bowl
assembly is positioned in the sump or well at a depth to provide the proper
intake configuration.

Qualified specialists in all departments ensure that the pumps and equipment
from our facilities are able to operate under the most arduous conditions.

Intensive research and development ensure that the products of Ruhrpumpen

are continuously improved to meet the latest technical requirements. The
instant availability of spare parts, together with first class service, ensures
customers that they have selected the right partner.

Ruhrpumpen helps its customers save money on existing pumps with

Synergetic Retrofit

Besides the more common mechanical retrofits, Ruhrpumpen also offers

power retrofits (including impellers) to improve operations and save money
on energy. This might be necessary when pump operating conditions have
been changed, if we have excessive wear ring clearances or there might even
be new (better) techniques in the market. Ruhrpumpen developed the
Synergetic Retrofit method to adapt existing pump installations to new

VTP
operating conditions, improve efficiency and save power by replacing or
redesigning impellers and wear rings.

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO VTP
Vertical Turbine Pump

Ruhrpumpen
Water Pumps
City of Brantford
(Ontario, Canada)

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 VTP
Vertical Turbine Pump

The open lineshaft construction allows the

Characteristics lineshaft bearings to be lubricated by pumped
liquid.
Optional is the prelubrication system prior to
1 Discharge head provides support for entire pump the start-up of pump.
and column assembly as well as the driver.
Available in cast iron, fabricated steel or a variety of 7
optional materials.

2 Columns are flanged or threaded and available as

VTP with enclosed Lineshaft
product lubricated or with enclosing tubes for oil or 1
water flushed lubrication.

3 Column assemblies are manufactured to assure

accurate fit and are available in a variety of
materials and coatings.

4 Line shafts are turned, ground, and polished

MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

carbon steel with ends faced and threaded. Other 4

materials available for special applications.

5 The suction bell is cast iron with integral

straightening vanes to prevent turbulence. Other
materials available for special applications. The
suction case is provided for deep well pump 2
applications.
8

6 Basket or conical strainer (optional) prevents entry

of foreign objects into pump suction. 3

9
7 Machined stuffing box with bushing to maintain
proper shaft alignment.

pg.9
8 Bearings are standard in bronze and are also
available in a variety of other materials to meet
client needs. 10

9 Shaft couplings bored and threaded from precision

forged steel bar. 11
 10 Sleeve bearings operate in conjunction with pump
shaft to provide proper alignment and maintain
hydraulic clearances. 12

11 Enclosed impellers are designed for long life and

high efficiency. Each is precision machined and
balanced for vibration free operation. Semi-open
impellers available on certain models.

12 Standard tapered collets secure impeller to pump

shaft.

13 The sand collar prevents grit from entering the

suction bell bearing. 5

13 Also available with

14 With the grease plug the suction bell is enclosed lineshaft for
permanently grease packed which ensures trouble- external lubrication
free life. (grease/oil)
14

6
MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Standard cast iron bowl construction Enclosed impeller design maintains Optional construction features
provides maximum wear resistance high efficiency and eliminates include bowl and impeller wear
and reduced friction. critical field adjustments required rings for extended impeller life.
Below ground discharge with semi-open or open impeller Keyed impellers for ease of
construction. disassembly and thrust balancing to
put less strain on the driver
When using a fabricated discharge design, the assembly.
Ruhrpumpen pumps are also available with the

pg.10
discharge located underground.
-Images for illustration purposes not actual construction.

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Description available for fire service

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Ruhrpumpens vertical turbine fire pumps are
listed by Underwriters Laboratories Inc and
-- Multi-stage vertical centrifugal pumps approved by Factory Mutual.
with diffuser type bowl.
-- Collet mounted Semi-Open / enclosed
impellers. -- NFPA-20
-- Counter clockwise rotation viewed from -- UL-448
coupling end.
-- FM-1312
-- Product or oil/grease lubricated.
-- Special design available on request
-- Oversized bowl shaft sizing for longer life.
-- API 610 latest edition construction
available. API pump type VS1.
-- Basket or conical strainer (optional),
according to pump requirements.
-- Epoxy coated bowls.
-- The VTP can be supplied with submersible
motor (optional).

BROAD APPLICATION RANGE

Deep Well Fire service
Irrigation Municipal Submersible vtp pumps
Sump Industrial Ruhrpumpen offers submersible pumps for
Condensate applications such as:
Can pump requirements
High temperature wells
Wells with limited diameter
PERFORMANCE DATA
Projects where appearance
Capacity up to 13,636 m3/h 60,000 U.S. gpm prohibits surface installation
Head up to 762 m 2,500 ft Agricultural irrigation
Pressure up to 74 bar 1,080 psig Deep-well de-watering
Temperature up to 121 C 250 F City water supplies and large
Note: For pump operation outside this range, please contact a Ruhrpumpen construction sites
representative.
Others

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO
Other Ruhrpumpen Products
ANSI Horizontal
Process Pump
Single-stage, radially split casing with
flanged connections, enclosed
impeller, foot mounted.
Petrochemical, Oil & Gas, Steel
Industry, Automotive, Power
Generation, Water Treatment,
Pharmaceutical and General Process.
Barge Vertical Pump
Multi-stage, pollution prevention
design, semi-open impellers, primary
self-priming 1st stage impeller, air
relief and separation chamber.
Ballast Operation, ransfer of
Gasoline, Fuel Oils, Light Lubricants,
Heavy oils and Barge Stripping /
Dewatering.
VTP
Vertical Turbine Pump
Sump Pump
Vertical arrangement,
single suction, single stage.
Water, Hydrocarbons and
Chemical solutions.
Horizontal Split Case Pump
Single stage double suction,
Enclosed Impeller, Double suction
provides hydraulic ballance
eliminating axial thrust.
Dewatering, Mining, Water
Industry, Fire Service, Cooling
Towers, Petrochemical, Power
Generation, Municipal and
Other applications.
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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

STR Vertical Turbine Pump

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Main Applications

STR pumps can be used in the following fields:

Desalination (sea water intake, brine backwash, etc.)
Irrigation
Water treatment
Water transport
Circulation and cooling water services in power plants
3
Fish farms
Flood control
Dry docks 4
6

Features and Benefits

5
1 Closed impellers with balancing holes as standard, with
open impeller for higher specific speeds
Offer extraordinary hydraulic performance and high efficiency
levels

2 Bowl and impeller removable wear rings

(front and rear)
Ensure proper maintenance and longer pump lifecycle

3 Oversized integrally mounted bearing housing with axial

and radial bearings
Ensures trouble free operation

4 Shaft seal by gland packing

Provides reliable sealing and easy maintenance
8
5 Above ground discharge head as standard; discharge 7
elbow below foundation available upon request
Ensures a proper access to coupling and sealing areas, and
provides the required stiffness to complete pump & motor set

6 Shaft sleeves at pump rotor wear parts

For shaft wear protection

7 Rubber radial guide shaft bearing

Ensures proper performance when pumping slightly
contaminated liquids 6
1
8 Line shaft connections with muff coupling able to transmit 2
all the driver torque to the complete pump rotor
No possible shaft extension or galling could come across due
to reverse sense of rotation

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Optional Features

The following optional features can be supplied:

1 Between bearings impeller design with tail 1

bearing at suction bell cross

2 Cast or fabricated discharge head

3 Thrust pod cooling coil with water inlet and

outlet connections for high temperature
applications

4 API and non-API mechanical seal shaft

sealing 2
5 Column with shaft protection tube for dirt or
abrasive liquids

Other tailor-made designs are available upon

request.

3 4 5

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

STR Vertical Turbine Pump

Oil and gas Hydrocarbon Power Pulp and General Chemical Water and
processing generation paper industry processing wastewater
industry

Operating data

50 Hz 60 Hz
up to DN1400 Pump sizes up to 56 in

up to 22,000 m3/h Capacities up to 97,000 USgpm

up to 200 m Heads up to 420 ft

up to 25 bar Pressures up to 362 psi

up to 65C Temperatures up to 149F

Performance ranges
Capacity Q (USgpm) Capacity Q (USgpm)
50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 200,000 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 10,000 20,000 50,000 100,000 200,000
500 500
Head H (m) Head H (ft) Head H (m) Head H (ft)
1,000 1,000
50 Hz 60 Hz
200
200
500
500
100
100
200
200 50
50
100
100
20
20 50
50 10

10 20
5
20
5 10
5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 20,000 50,000 5 10 20 50 100 200 500 1,000 2,000 5,000 20,000 50,000
Capacity Q (m3/h) Capacity Q (m3/h)

Materials

Pump part Material

Bowls Cast Iron, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Duplex, Superduplex

Impeller Cast Iron, Bronze, Stainless Steel, Duplex, Superduplex

Shaft Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Duplex, Superduplex

Column pipe Carbon Steel, Duplex, Superduplex

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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

Cavitacin de una bomba centrfuga

La cavitacin puede ser el principal problema en
lo que se refiere al bombeo de fluidos. En muchas
ocasiones, se cree que la cavitacin es un
problema de la bomba en s misma. Y ms bien
es un problema de la instalacin que aparece slo
en la bomba porque las condiciones han
cambiado o porque, en primer lugar, la bomba no
se instal correctamente. No importa cul sea el
tipo de bomba: centrfugas, de desplazamiento
positivo, autocebantes o sumergibles, todas ellas
pueden sufrir los efectos de la cavitacin.
DEFINICIONES
Presin atmosfrica en condiciones normales
y al nivel del mar, su valor es de 10,33 metros de
columna de agua (m.c.a.); 760 mm de columna
de mercurio (mm de Hg); 1.013,25 hPa; 1 atm o
bien, 1,01 bar.
hasta que ste entre en ebullicin a temperatura
ambiente. En ambos casos, el lquido hierve a
una presin de vapor relativa a una temperatura.
En el interior de una bomba, se crean vacos o
zonas de presin negativa. Si este vaco excede
la presin de vapor del lquido a bombear,
entonces se forman burbujas de vapor que se
desplazan por el sistema hasta implosionar,
cuando existe una presin local suficientemente
alta. Cuando las burbujas se colapsan, la
implosin puede superar los 6.900 bar. Si la
implosin se produce cerca de una zona metlica,
se atacar su superficie con una picadura
minscula.
CAUSAS DE LA CAVITACIN
En una bomba hay dos zonas donde puede
producirse el fenmeno de la cavitacin.

Temperatura ambiente la temperatura del

emplazamiento de bombeo en un momento dado.

Presin de vapor presin a la que un lquido

empieza a evaporarse. Depende de la
temperatura del lquido.

Implosin colapso de una burbuja cuya presin

interior es menor que la externa.

QU ES LA CAVITACIN?

El diccionario define este trmino como

formacin de burbujas de vapor o de gas en el
seno de un lquido, causada por las variaciones
que ste experimenta en su presin. Cuando las
burbujas se colapsan aparecen unas oquedades
o picaduras, en la superficie del metal en contacto
con el lquido.
Existen dos formas para que un lquido hierva;
una de ellas es calentarlo hasta alcanzar su punto
de ebullicin (100 C para agua). La 2 manera es
reducir la presin a la que est sometido el lquido
Cavitacin en el ojo del rodete o de
aspiracin. Se produce cuando existe demasiado
vaco que excede la presin del vapor del lquido
bombeado. El lquido hierve y se separa del resto.
Las bolsas de vaco aparecen en el centro del
impulsor, que es la zona de ms baja presin, y
se desplazan hasta su implosin o colapso.

1 (3)
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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO
Este tipo de cavitacin la causa una altura de
aspiracin excesiva o bien, que el NPSHD de la
instalacin se vuelva insuficiente por aumento de
la prdida de carga en la succin de la bomba
(obstrucciones parciales).
La bomba no provoca ambas situaciones sino su
entorno (instalacin / aplicacin).
Cavitacin en la tajamar de la voluta o de
impulsin. Esta situacin se da cuando la altura
de descarga es demasiado alta, desplazando el
punto de trabajo hacia la izquierda y fuera de la
curva de funcionamiento. La cavitacin se localiza
entre el extremo del lave del rodete y donde
acaba la envolvente del cuerpo o tajamar.
El lquido se estira debido al bajo caudal y a la
alta presin diferencial en ambos lados de la
tajamar. Al paso de los laves, se forman y se
colapsan burbujas continuamente. Entre un lave
y el siguiente, aparecen burbujas que
permanecen en la tajamar hasta que el siguiente
lave la alcanza. Es entonces cuando se crea una
presin suficiente que permite la implosin de la
burbuja en el extremo del lave. En la parte
posterior del lave ya se ha formado una nueva
burbuja que permanece ah hasta que implosiona
en el siguiente lave.
DAOS PRODUCIDOS
Debe tenerse en cuenta que vlvulas y otros
accesorios pueden cavitar sufriendo los mismos
efectos perjudiciales que una bomba. Si una
vlvula tiene su admisin parcialmente cerrada,
probablemente cavitar y se deteriorar de la
misma forma que lo hara un impulsor y la placa
de desgaste de una bomba cuya aspiracin
estuviera obstruida.
Efectos de ambos tipos de cavitacin
2 (3)
Efectos de la cavitacin de impulsin
En la cavitacin de aspiracin, el dao observado
puede abarcar desde unas pocas picaduras
localizadas en el ojo del rodete hasta una rotura
total del impulsor y destruccin de la placa de
desgaste. En la mayora de casos, el dao
consiste en picaduras en el rodete y en la placa
de desgaste. A veces se describe el dao como si
fuera un queso suizo o como si se hubiera
ametrallado el rodete. En general, el dao
provocado por una cavitacin de aspiracin se
limita a estas dos piezas.
La cavitacin en la tajamar de la carcasa o de
impulsin es, con diferencia, mucho ms
destructiva que la cavitacin de aspiracin.
Cuando se dan las circunstancias de una
cavitacin de impulsin, aparecen las picaduras
caractersticas en el extremo de los laves y por
su parte anterior. Si la cavitacin es
suficientemente severa, el ataque avanza por
todo el lave. Por otra parte, en carcasas de
volutas simples, a causa de no compensarse la
alta presin, el eje aumenta su deflexin a medida
que la altura de bombeo es ms alta.
Gorman Rupp disea los ejes de sus bombas
para que admitan esta deflexin en el rango de
trabajo de la curva de funcionamiento. Sin
embrago, si la altura de bombeo es
suficientemente elevada como para que el punto
de trabajo se site a la izquierda de la curva
caracterstica, entonces se producir la cavitacin
de impulsin que reducir la vida til del rodete.
La deflexin del eje podra producir fatiga y su
rotura; los rodamientos podran deteriorarse por
sobreesfuerzo y podra daarse el cierre
mecnico.
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 MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO
CMO DETECTAR LA CAVITACIN?
Cuando una bomba cavita, se oye un ruido
caracterstico que recuerda un martillo golpeando
una pieza de metal o como si la bomba tuviera
piedras en su interior e impactaran
constantemente. La forma ms precisa para
detectar la cavitacin es tomar lecturas de presin
en la aspiracin e impulsin de la bomba y medir
con exactitud la velocidad de trabajo de la bomba.
Con esta informacin, se consulta la curva
caracterstica de la bomba y se determina dnde
est trabajando la bomba.
Si se sospecha que la bomba padece una
cavitacin de aspiracin la lectura de presin en
la brida de succin indicar un nivel de vaco
importante o, posiblemente, debe revisarse el
clculo del NPSH. Evidentemente, si se abre la
bomba y en el rodete se observa algn ataque
similar a los descritos, entonces la cavitacin ya
no es una sospecha sino que es una realidad.
CMO CORREGIR UNA CAVITACIN
Es sencillo si se conoce la causa del problema.
3 (3)
La cavitacin de impulsin u operacin
demasiado a la izquierda de la curva
caracterstica implica reducir la altura de bombeo
o bien, aumentar el caudal de trabajo para que la
bomba entre en la curva. En algunos casos,
puede ayudar aumentar la velocidad pero debe
conocerse la curva de la instalacin antes tomar
cualquier medida.
En el caso de cavitacin en la aspiracin, puede
deberse a algn cuerpo extrao que obstruye la
tubera de succin de la bomba o bien, que la
altura de aspiracin es demasiado alta y en
consecuencia el NPSHD es inferior al NPSHR de
la bomba. Un vacumetro instalado en la brida de
aspiracin solamente indicar que el vaco es
elevado pero no su causa. Si detecta un atasco
en la tubera de aspiracin, lmpielo lo antes
posible! No inyecte aire comprimido porque lo
devolvera al depsito y podra aspirarse de
nuevo. Si la altura de aspiracin es demasiado
alta, acerque la bomba a la superficie del lquido o
cambie la consigna de nivel del pozo de bombeo.
.
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16_heggemann_d+e 23.3.2009 14:36 Uhr Seite 1

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

in
p
o
S
Protecting the environment and reducing costs

Variable speed pumps

Since fossil fuels will be important for energy production for the foreseeable future, the emission of carbon
dioxide CO2 cannot be avoided in the short term. End-user energy efficiency is therefore a key part to
reduce emissions. Sulzer Pumps supports strategy to save energy and reduce emissions by providing
state of the art high efficiency industrial pumping systems. An overlooked opportunity?
s

P
ump systems account for nearly
one third of all industrial electric
drive applications and account
around 20% of the worlds electrical
energy demand. As the largest single
application group pump systems have
the highest potential for energy savings.
The systems are widespread; they pro-
vide domestic services, commercial and
agricultural services, water/waste-
water services, industrial services for
power generation, oil and gas, petro-
chemical, chemical, pulp and paper, and
food processing. Initial purchase price is
a small part of a pumps total life cycle
cost (LCC). Energy and maintenance
constitute the main cost over time. For
example, in pulp and paper, one of
the core business segments of Sulzer
Pumps, the share of energy costs may
easily be up to 90 %.
There are different methods of control-
ling process flow rate. Typically these are
achieved through by-passing or valve
throttling . Both options destroy the
energy by generating friction losses. A
more efficient option is adjusting pump
speed by using a Variable Speed Drive
(VSD) .
The most common type of VSD is an
electronic frequency converter used in
conjunction with a standard induction
motor. The benefits of using VSDs are
energy savings, improved process con-
trol, extended pump life, simplified pipe
systems and soft start/stop etc. Potential
drawbacks include structural resonances
(voided by appropriate design) and S
maintenance and installation costs of the a
VSD system. Sulzer Pumps provides C
market adapted, economically attractive in
solutions that maximize the benefits of a p
VSD package. fi
m
Retrofitting existing equipment o
There are approximately 20 times more
pumps in service in existing installations
than are supplied new each year. The
Sulzer Green concept is designed to
optimize the energy efficiency of existing
pumping systems; it is targeted at indus-
trial processes and is used as a tool
in energy audits. The aim of a Sulzer
Green audit is optimized energy use,

Flow rate and pressure control with valve throttling Option with smaller and slowed down pump
Head Head

Operating point

Design point Design point

Wasted Saved
Energy Energy

Operating point
Useful energy Useful energy
Required flow Flow Valve losses are eliminated Required flow Flow
Pressure drop in the valve makes the friction losses larger and the system curve With a smaller or slowed-down pump, the same flow rate can be delivered
steeper. The system curve gets steeper and steeper as the valve closes. without large losses in the valve.

pg.20
16 | Sulzer Technical Review 1/2009 4254
 16_heggemann_d+e 23.3.2009 14:36 Uhr Seite 2

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
MEC289 TUEBOMQUINAS Y MAQUINAS DE DESPLZAMIENTO POSITIVO

increased efficiency and a more reliable Process pumps are

central to pulp and
process with flow capacity that matches paper production.
operational requirements. Benefits of the
Sulzer Green concept to the user:
energy savings
optimized pumping
more reliable process
verified/updated adjustment
methods available
pumps with capacity restrictions can
be identified and upgraded
updated knowledge of pumping
technology and new savings
opportunities

The Sulzer Green concept is best

suited to customers whose:
energy consumption in pumping is base. This step is important in order to petitive advantages. In the industries
significant identify the pumps to be studied in served by Sulzer Process Pumps, the
process has undergone capacity more detail. By analysing the operating number of VSD controlled pumps is con-
changes or where changes are conditions and process requirements, tinuously increasing, currently repre-
planned 27 pumps were identified as most prom- senting approximately 30% of new
pumps require modernization ising for modification. Proposed actions installations. Sulzer Pumps is applying
pumps operate with poor efficiency included installation of variable speed this technology to enable its customers to
drives, trimming impellers, and in cer- save both energy, money and reduce the
s Applying the Sulzer Green concept, tain cases, pump replacements. The cal- production of CO2.
d Sulzer Pumps has performed energy culated payback time for the improve-
e audits in several pulp and paper mills. ments was less than two years.
s Chart illustrates the results achieved
Marc Heggemann Ralf Gerdes
e in an analysis made for a modern, large Outlook Sulzer Innotec Sulzer Pumps Ltd.
Sulzer Markets and Technology Ltd. Zrcherstrasse 12
a paper mill. First, the pumps were classi- Energy saving is of increasing interest for
Sulzer-Allee 25 8401 Winterthur
fied in a study by utilizing both the infor- operators of both new and existing pump 8404 Winterthur Switzerland
Switzerland Phone +41 52 262 85 45
mation received from the customer and systems. Environmental legislation sup- Phone +41 52 262 82 36 ralf.gerdes@sulzer.com
our own comprehensive reference data- port progressive companies with com- marc.heggemann@sulzer.com
e
s
A typical modern pulp and paper mill.
e Power reduction with the Sulzer Green concept
o (kW) Pumps with low
saving potential
6900
g
-
ol
r
e, 3800

3100 Realized savings

600
2500

(M

0
Analysed pumps Pumps with high Pumps
saving potential modified

pg.21
4 Sulzer Technical Review 1/2009 | 17