Fluids Handling

THE WESTWORTH-FLYGT PUMPING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY INDEX

Phil Black - PII Editor 22/03/2012

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Xylem answers call for a new industry-wide efficiency index

Xylem, a world leader in water technology, has responded to the need for a method of measuring the efficiency of a complete pumping system. With energy efficiency and innovation at the very core of its products and services, Xylem was able to use its expertise and industry knowledge to produce an index that would meet the criteria required by the industry.

Unveiling the formula – known as the Westworth-Flygt index – Xylem expert and UK Energy Manager Gavin Westworth, took to the stage at a recent Defra meeting to demonstrate that our method of calculating system efficiency was simple and effective, and can be used throughout the UK and Ireland.

The sewage pumping systems group was set up for one of Defra’s pilot product “roadmaps”. The roadmap process involves examining the lifecycle environmental impacts of a product and existing actions to tackle them, identifying areas for improvement, and then working with relevant stakeholders to secure voluntary actions to find a solution. The sewage pumping systems group identified the lack of a metric for comparing energy efficiency of pumping systems as a key issue. Gavin presented his proposed formula at the end of February and the Westworth-Flygt index was enthusiastically received.

Gavin explains how his index works:

“The aim of the Westworth-Flygt Index is to provide a measure of pump system efficiency on a scale of 1 to 100. For example, if a pumping system scores 90 then we can assume that the system uses its energy very efficiently. A low score indicates that there is room for improvement. In my experience, systems rarely score higher than 60 which means that for every £1 spent, at least 40p, and often much more, is unnecessary.

“This index can be used on any water pumping system and, whilst it is not intended to be accurate to any number of decimal places, it gives a ‘first pass’ assessment of whether the complete pumping system is working well or if there is scope for investigation into how it uses energy.”

Initial feedback from the working group at the recent meeting organised by Defra was positive and signifies the potential for the Westworth-Flygt Pumping System Efficiency Index to be used across the UK and Europe.

Peter Lewington, Managing Director for Xylem UK concludes: “Gavin has demonstrated a level of skill and technical expertise that our specialists at Xylem use on a daily basis and we hope this easy-to-use tool will give all industries involved in transporting liquids the benchmark against which they can assess their energy consumption and make balanced decisions on where savings can be made and what measures are required to achieve them.”

“Without a doubt, it is the forward thinking and innovative nature of our experts like Gavin that has made Xylem the world leader it is today.”

For more information on the Westworth-Flygt Pumping Efficiency Index please call 0115 940 0111.