Mr. Todd Loudin from Flowrox gave a presentation in Pump Summit 2014 under the topic "Solving Water Scarcity Issues and Water Conservation Through Pump Selection"
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Solving Water Scarcity Issues and Water Conservation Through Pump Selection
1. Pump Summit 2014, 2 – 3 December 2014, Düsseldorf
Solving Water Scarcity Issues and Water
Conservation Through Pump Selection
By Todd Loudin
President- Flowrox Inc,
Linthicum, Marylanad USA
2. Pump Summit 2014, 2 – 3 December 2014, Düsseldorf
Pumping Thicker Slurries
Many pumps are limited to maximum 30 – 35% solids content
The user must add 65 – 70% water to be able to pump these solids
By adding this additional volume creates an increase in diameter of piping, valves,
instrumentation and other process equipment
Not only does this increase the cost of infrastructure but this water will need to
be reclaimed, re-processed, and/or cleaned for disposal or re-use
Finally the make-up water has a significant cost alone
3. PUMP SUMMIT 2014, 2 – 3 DECEMBER 2014, DÜSSELDORF
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Peristaltic Centrifugal
Total Flow Peristaltic Compared to Centrifugal
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Solids Water Total Slurry
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Solids Water Total Slurry
Peristaltic Pumping 100 Tonnes of Solids Per Hour
5. Pump Summit 2014, 2 – 3 December 2014, Düsseldorf
Paste Thickening Mining
❶ 80% solids mining tailings
❷ Cone shape at bottom of feed vessel shaped
to assist solids flow downward
❸ Pump creates it own suction to assist with
pulling the solids into the pump to be
pumped forward
❹ Pump can run dry without damage
6. Pump Summit 2014, 2 – 3 December 2014, Düsseldorf
Water Reduction and Other Savings
❶ Less Water used so less water to be treated after final production
Just the cost of clean process water can save ~ €100K - €150K per year
❷ Pumping less total slurry so less power is used
Peristaltic will require ~1/2 energy – Save ~ €30K - €40K per year
❸ The entire processing plant can be smaller with increased total solids tonnage
❹ Chemical usage reduced so lower risk less pollution
Low shear allows reagents to be more effective and thus less chemical
Global pressure to be Greener & Cleaner
If we can utilize less water, less power, less chemicals, smaller
infrastructure, and less residual water treatment heading towards
Greener & Cleaner
7. 1 Compression vs. 2 Compressions Peristaltic Pumps
- One compression per revolution- 3
to 5 times longer hose lifetime
- Approximately 2 liters of glycerin for
lubrication inside pump at €17
- Smaller footprint & motor size
- Ability to run faster and produce
longer hose lifetime
- Two compressions per revolution-
typical hose life ¼ of single comp.
- Approximately 38 liters of glycerin
for lubrication inside pump at €323
- Larger footprint & motor size
- Cannot run fast continuously due to
friction/heat and short hose
lifetime
8. Pump Summit 2014, 2 – 3 December 2014, Düsseldorf
Operating Cost Savings
❶ Centrifugal pumps rubber line internals for handling slurries
Lifetime in 30 – 35% slurries can be weeks
❷ The slurry is completely contained in the hose in peristaltic pumps
❸ Centrifugal pumps impellers, and pump linings are repaired frequently and the
pump is taken completely to the repair shop for repair
❹ Peristaltic Pumps can be repaired in place with 1 – 2 hours by simply replacing
a rubber hose
9. Pump Summit 2014, 2 – 3 December 2014, Düsseldorf
Conclusions
❶ Peristaltic pumps are not ideal for every application but if you are moving
slurries or chemicals this type of pump may be the ideal solution
❷ The savings by pumping higher slurry concentrations can be extreme
❸ The advantages may be a significant reduction in water consumption, less
energy consumption, less chemicals, smaller infrastructure, and reduction in
waste water handling
❹ Aside from the financial savings, the peristaltic pump technology is greener and
cleaner