Raw water abstraction involves the utilization of untreated water from natural open water sources such as rivers, lakes, floodplains, groundwater, and ponds, including lochs, streams, and oceans.
This water may contain a range of nutrients and contaminants, including minerals, ions, algae, particles, chemicals, bacteria, and parasites. Therefore, it often requires purification or treatment before it can be used for industrial purposes or consumption. However, it is commonly chosen as an economical water source for industrial use.
Background Information:
A client reached out to us regarding issues they were facing with their existing raw water intake pumps at a remote aquaculture plant. They were experiencing the following problems:
- The intake pumps were frequently getting clogged, which affected the cooling of essential process equipment.
- The current centrifugal intake pumps had to be disassembled for cleaning and removal of blockages.
- Their backup pumping arrangement consisted of a single pump, and if it became clogged, the entire plant's operation would come to a halt.
Using raw water for process cooling offers several advantages. Not only is it more cost-effective, but it is also more environmentally friendly compared to other alternatives. Recently, there was public outrage and disapproval when Thames Water discovered that data centers in London were using treated potable water for cooling during water shortages and hose pipe bans.
Using potable water for cooling purposes is excessive since it has already been treated for human consumption, making it over-engineered for the intended application. Different water sources can be used in industrial processes, and the cost, environmental impact, filtration requirements, and quality can vary significantly.
Typically when using raw water intakes, screens or strainers would be used to prevent any debris entering the pumps, however due to the long suction lines, and pipework inlet being at sea this wasn’t technically feasible.
After considering the client's performance requirements and existing issues, we selected two NRFMP50BA32VSD non-clog peristaltic pumps with motor-mounted inverters. These pumps can deliver a flow rate between 1.5 and 5.2m³/h at a constant pressure of up to 8 bar. This ensures that the pumps can provide sufficient water pressure for effective cooling regardless of the demand.
The pumps have an operating range from 20 to 70Hz, allowing for variable speed operation to match the raw water intake requirements. With the intake pipeline submerged at sea and subject to tidal fluctuations, the self-priming capability of the pumps enables them to handle tidal fluctuations without needing to be reprimed, and should they run dry the pumps would not be damaged. Additionally, the pumps have minimal suction pressure requirements (NPSHR) due to their ability to drastically reduce flow rates.
Using peristaltic pumps as intake pumps eliminates the need for intake screening, backwash systems, and manual intervention. Unlike centrifugal pumps typically used for intakes, peristaltic pumps do not experience a decrease in pressure generation when the speed is reduced. They are well-known for their non-clog design, ensuring that particles and solids do not accumulate within the pump during operation.
The integrated variable frequency drive (VFD) allows users to adjust the pump speed according to the raw water intake demand. It can also be remotely controlled through a panel via the onboard control system (4-20mA). In case of blockages, the pumps can be reversed, and if operated in remote areas, a leakage sensor can be installed to stop pump operation in the event of a hose leak. These pumps are equipped with DN40 stainless steel flanges for seamless connection to the pipework.
With our solution, this aquaculture plant now has a robust, heavy-duty, and easy-to-maintain intake pump that will ensure reliable operation over time.
If you have an upcoming raw water intake application, we understand the challenges you may face:
- Wide variation in flow with a need for consistent pressure
- Long suction lines
- Easy maintenance with robust technology
- Non-clogging pumping process
- Efficient operation
Speak to North Ridge Pumps on +44 (0) 1773 302 660, visit www.northridgepumps.com or contact us on live chat to see how we can help.
North Ridge Pumps
- 01773302660
- sales@northridgepumps.com
- http://www.northridgepumps.com
- North Ridge House 3 Chrysalis Way Eastwood Nottinghamshire NG16 3RY GB
About us
North Ridge Pumps are an independent manufacturer and distributor of pumps. Having been established since 1998, we have a vast array of experience having become accustomed to supplying pumps for most processes.
We work within a range of industries both UK and Internationally, specifying pumps for a wide variety of applications from the transfer of corrosive and aggressive chemicals, to dewatered sludge, viscous grease, resin, glues, food and Seawater.
Our pumps range from standard centrifugal and multistage pumps, to immersed and process overhung solid handling pumps. We also supply a wide range of positive displacement pumps including Vane, Piston, Progressing Cavity and Peristaltic enabling us to specify more than one solution for your application, but also ensuring the majority of applications remain within our reach.
We offer the following services:
Technical support – We know at times pump selection is difficult. Pump selections are made with confidence by technical sales engineers who understand your process, ensuring equipment is engineered beyond your needs.
To select the correct technical solution for your requirement, longevity of design is prioritised. If there are existing issues you need assistance with, we work with you to solve these which could be high maintenance costs, frequent service periods, repeated equipment breakdown leading to lost revenue, inconsistent flow rates, clogging or where pumped product is inconsistent.
Application experience – Due to our 20 years of application experience we work with you to ensure our pumps operate according to your desired application. Our experience means we have most likely provided a solution for a similar process previously. With proven results, we know how to achieve your outcome sooner.
As our pumps are completely configurable, we design pumps with materials according to your requirement, and to your required duty point. Pumps are engineered specifically for your process whether they be baseplate mounted, within a mobile frame or in kit form with couplings, hoses, and dispensing nozzle.
Industry knowledge – We have a thorough understanding of a range of industries through experience from supplying the offshore oil and gas market, to paper mills, chemical plants and food manufacturers to name a few.
We not only understand the importance of downtime but also what each process requires and how small design improvements specific to the nature of your industry and application can reduce downtime, facilitate maintenance and improve longevity.
If you have a process or application you require a pump for, or a process which requires improving, get in touch to see how we can help.
What we do in a nutshell
Pump Specification & Supply
-
Multistage Muscle: Driving Diesel Transfer with Precision
North Ridge Pumps recently delivered four heavy-duty horizontal multistage pumps to meet diesel transfer operations at 30 bar pressure and...
-
Metering Nanocomposites for 3D Printing Applications
Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, is an innovative technology that enables the manufacture of complex components layer by...
-
Easy-to-clean low maintenance epoxy resin injection pump for mould filling
Epoxy resins are extremely hard to pump due to their high viscosity, sensitivity to shear and fast setting on mixing....
-
Two Multistage Pumps Boost Cement Plant's Performance
Dewatering is a critical mining operation that ensures smooth running of mines and renders the mine cost-effective. It performs a...
-
Safe and Efficient Low-Pressure Tanker Discharge for Environmentally Friendly Bitumen Emulsion Handling
Enhanced Safety and Efficiency in Bitumen, Oil, and Chemical Transport Traditionally, road tankers that carry viscous materials like bitumen, oils,...
-
Your Process- Revolutionised. Controlled. Simplified.
When it comes to the dosing, metering or transfer of aggressive chemicals or abrasive solid laden mixtures there is often...
