Improving existing plants and optimising new facilities is essential to maximising process efficiency and productivity. In addition, building in flexibility is important in today’s fast-changing business environment. Hannah Verrall, Global Product Line Manager for HMD Kontro Sealless Pumps, looks at how the latest technology developments in sealless pumps can help.
A magnetic drive sealless pump provides total liquid containment, eliminating potentially dangerous and costly leaks from the outset. This ensures the integrity of the pumping system, even at high temperatures and pressures, protecting and extending equipment as well as component life.
Smoother Upgrade Path
Sealless pumps are not a new option, yet many specifiers remain unaware of how the technology works and the benefits available.
Over the years, magnetic drive sealless pumps have been updated and adapted to conform to changing ASME and ISO plus API standards to accommodate new applications. However, the increase in options has led to the proliferation of a range of highly customised and engineered products. While desirable in some respects, this can reduce parts interchangeability and restrict upgrade choices, resulting in additional costs and/or delivery times.
The latest sealless systems seek to address these issues. HMD Kontro, for example, has developed the CSA/CSI range of pumps which are based on a completely innovative approach. A new modular design has simplified the systems designs, streamlining the selection process and standardising the range.
Thanks to the complete containment of liquids, sealless pumps are suitable for most liquid types. In particular, this includes a wide range of more complex fluids which are volatile, hazardous, toxic or corrosive, as well as for liquid transfer under pressure. Having a range of hydraulic sizes simplifies upgrade processes while covering the requirements of a wide duty and application base for chemical, pharmaceutical, fine chemical, agrichemical and oil and gas applications, among others.
Cutting the Cost of Implementation
Initial upfront purchase and installation costs can be a barrier to modernisation and replacement programmes. Magnetic drive sealless pumps help reduce the financial outlay, allowing existing pumps to be upgraded, often as a direct replacement thanks to standard dimensions and flanges, when improving plants and enabling faster design times with a quicker implementation.
With no need for seal support systems and reduced instrument wiring and configuration requirements, lead times are substantially reduced, and project build costs minimised. Associated system costs in the form of utility installations and water – or air- cooling systems can also be bypassed; this can also include many of the Hazop studies.
Whole life savings
Another key benefit delivered by the latest sealless pump designs is the simplification of the maintenance process. With greater interchangeability of parts, production downtime for servicing is minimised and on-site replacement of components can be accomplished without the need for hot working. Improving inventory management for spare parts also results in ongoing cost savings and increases plant profitability, making magnetic drive sealless pumps an attractive option when measured in whole life terms
Help for specifiers – Guided Learning Process
To assist specifiers to determine the best fit for their fluid transfer requirements, HMD Kontro has recently introduced a dedicated website section and additional learning resources. The new ‘Think Sealless’ section offers a thorough grounding to those less familiar with magnetic drive pump technology. Visitors are directed through a series of pages explaining how the technology works and outlining the benefits of selecting sealless pumps in terms of efficiency, cost savings, safety and the environment, as well as looking at examples of suitable applications.
HMD Kontro has also built up a library of helpful resources which can be downloaded or viewed online. These include a KnowHow Guide and glossary of sealless pump terminology, which offer a good starting point, as well as videos which demonstrate the basic principles and explain various aspects of sealless pumps in greater detail. In addition, HMD Kontro offers webinars and training courses both directly and through its Channel Partners.
To access the dedicated knowledgeable and experience HMD Kontro team for help in selecting, commissioning, servicing and maintaining the best pump for your application, please see www.hmdkontro.com or www.thinksealless.com, call 01323 452 000 or email info@hmdkontro.com
