News

Making Low Flow More Efficient

The GSPLF pump is a versatile and highly efficient pump for the safe processing and handling of hazardous and valuable hydrocarbons and chemicals. It combines the proven technologies of Sundyne Barske Wheel hydraulics and the HMD Kontro sealless magnetic drive.

Developed to fill a gap in the market for a high-efficiency low flow magnetic drive centrifugal pump with a single stage high head capability, this pump fills the slot perfectly. The GSPLF meets and in many cases exceeds the requirements of API 685 and has full ATEX compliance, making it ideal for chemical and hydrocarbon processing applications.

Efficiency in the low specific speed regime

Barske Wheel pumps from Sundyne are designed to provide efficiency in the low specific speed regime, which is often referred to as a low flow, high head application. The desired performance is guaranteed due to the pumps having an open impeller with straight blades and a tapered conical diffuser. When compared with traditional back-swept Francis vane impellers, this combination produces a considerably higher head factor (ratio of developed head to theoretical head).

 

Benefits of the HMD Kontro GSPLF Pump:

  • Single basic frame size to suit power requirements
  • Suction tuned inducers for low NPSHa conditions
  • Reduced radial and axial bearing loads
  • Barske Wheel hydraulics for optimum efficiency in low specific speed (Ns) applications
  • Removable diffuser for simple rerating to different process conditions – no costly machining

 

Reliability, design flexibility and optimal efficiency

The pumps deliver in terms of reliability, design flexibility and optimal efficiency, ensuring trouble-free, safe and environmentally conscious plant operation. Another advantage is the flexibility in the diffuser and impeller combination, which can easily be rerated should the duty point change without the requirement to replace the pressure casing.

 

Design Features of the GSPLF Pump

  • Low Specific Speed Best Fit Hydraulics and Optional Inducers for low NPSH
  • Removable Diffuser – simple rerating and can be converted easily onsite
  • Generous Clearances – eliminate potential performance degradation often associated with Wear Ring designs
  • Low Bearing Loads – semi-open impeller design reduces radial and axial bearing loads on a product lubricated internal bearing system

 

Multiple build and instrumentation options

The build options for the GSPLF pump include ZeroLoss® Containment Shell, Secondary Control system, Secondary Containment system, external filtration, inducers and NACE compliant materials. Instrumentation options include Power Control Monitor, RTD temperature sensing, secondary housing monitoring (liquid or pressure) and VapourView®.

 

The GSPLF pump is helping the environment

With stricter demands for the safety and welfare of both personnel and the environment being imposed, HMD Kontro sealless pumps are playing an increasingly important role. Innovative magnet drive technology is enabling more efficient and powerful pumps to be developed and built, widening the application scope of this innovative pump format.

For further information, and to learn why the GSPLF sealless pump could be suitable for your low flow / high head application please visit the HMD Kontro GSPLF page.

ZeroLoss® For Maximum Gain

Composite Containment Shells for Sealless Pumps

Improved efficiency and reduced pump life cycle costs are just two of the benefits of the revolutionary ZeroLoss® containment shell, which is constructed from an engineered composite.

Eddy current heating is a common issue with sealless rotating equipment and the ZeroLoss® shell works to eliminate this in an HMD Kontro magnetic drive pump, providing significant cost savings, increased safety and environmental benefits.

 

Zeroloss Shell

 

ZeroLoss® Shell Benefits

The ZeroLoss® containment shell is engineered from a proprietary material, which was originally developed for use in the construction of modern, high-tech aircraft. This low mass material blend offers a range of benefits, including:

  • Higher efficiency ratings and lower operational costs
  • Potential to reduce motor size and space savings
  • Improved handling of liquefied gases and heat sensitive liquids
  • More robustness in closed discharge conditions
  • Greater tolerance of partial dry run conditions
  • Resistance to a wide range of chemicals

To discover more of the benefits of the ZeroLoss® Containment Shell, please visit: https://hmdkontro.com/zeroloss/

Thinking Sealless – Process Industry Informer Podcast

Process Industry Informer is a leading magazine for managers and process engineers working in the chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and utilities industries.  They run an active podcast channel.  In a recent episode David Clark, our Senior Engineering Manager, discusses the evolution of magnetic drive sealless pumps, from their introduction by HMD Kontro over seventy years ago to the very latest developments and materials that are driving the industry forward.

Thinking Sealless Pumps Podcast

He reports how a step-change in design, driven by technology advances and innovative materials has seen the emergence of a new level of agility and flexibility while future-proofing products against ever-more stringent regulations.

The topics included in the podcast

  • Industry compliance – meeting ASME/ISO/API standards
  • Innovations including new bearing technology and use of composites
  • CSA/CSI launch – a complete redesign to meet current and future needs
  • The necessity to get products to the market more quickly
  • Future requirements for sealless magnetic drive pumps
  • Greener production – energy efficient savings of 15-20%

HMD Kontro has always been at the forefront of innovation, which is aimed at delivering what the industry needs. These include:

  • New bearing technology and use of composites:  The last ten years has seen the advent of new materials including composites to increase the efficiency and reduce the heat being put into pumps to increase their overall robustness.
  • Silicon carbide and ceramic matrix composites:  Silicon carbide has been used for over twenty years. However, over the last five years, there has been a move to use ceramic matrix composites as an alternative. This further improves the robustness of the pump.
  • PEEK composite materials:  HMD Kontro produced the ZeroLoss containment shell made from PEEK composite materials almost ten years ago. This provides a more efficient and robust alternative to traditional metallic containment shells.

The CSA/CSI Launch – A complete redesign to meet current and future needs

The catalyst for change and the development of the new range was aftermarket feedback and user comments combined with many years of experience. This led to the complete redesign of an existing product to meet current and future industry needs, involving going back to the drawing board as just a product ‘refresh’ was not going to go far enough.

A complete rethink was needed, resulting in the incorporation of the best of existing pump knowledge combined with new materials, technologies and insights. The result is a range of highly flexible pumps, which are totally configurable with the end user receiving delivery of pumps quickly, often within days.

The pumps can be brought to the market faster thanks to a modular design and configured kits of parts, allowing maximum flexibility in specification and interchangeability to minimise stockholding and to deliver shorter lead times.

Greener production

At the same time, new approaches and materials have been harnessed to improve energy efficiency by 15-20% combined with the peace of mind from total containment, as well as assisting in predicating performance issues.

How does the future look for sealless magnetic drive pumps?

There is more and more acceptance of the magnetic drive sealless pump and the future will see a demand for larger pumps with parts such as internal bearings needing to be bigger and this will demand investigation of further alternative bearing materials.  Containment shell technology is seeing more acceptance, including ZeroLoss and non-metallic shells. It is expected that HMD Kontro will continue to innovate and move the industry forwards.

 

To listen to the podcast, please visit: https://www.processindustryinformer.com/thinking-sealless-pumps