Are your electricity bills giving you a shock? Wondering why your pump is draining so much electricity? The answer lies in poor energy efficiency.
All industries – big or small – use industrial pumps to carry out various activities. Pumping systems are generally energy efficient. However, various factors like improper maintenance, ageing, wrong installation, wrong pump model – all lead to decreased pumping efficiency.
Sintech, the best pump dealers in India, list 10 smart ways to increase the performance of your pumps, helping you reduce electricity costs and save energy.
Tip #1: Periodic Maintenance
The number one tip to increase the efficiency of your pumping system is to take regular care of it. Regular maintenance can cut down electricity costs by 7%.
Here are a few parts to inspect during regular maintenance:
Bearings
Impellers
Packing seals
Mechanical seals
Motor alignment
If any of the parts show signs of wear and tear, then you need to get them replaced ASAP.
Tip #2: Regular Monitoring
Periodic maintenance with continuous monitoring ensures that your pump operates at optimal efficiency. Regular monitoring of key pump parts can help you detect signs of trouble before the damage occurs.
Some of the problems that you can detect and avoid with continuous monitoring:
Damaged impellers
Blocked/clogged pumps
Reduced suction
Tip #3: Use Automated Controls
The main purpose of an automated controlling system is to increase operational efficiency. The automated controls can detect the fluctuations in load in real-time and switch on/off the pumps accordingly. Remote controlling is accurate and effective and helps in reducing energy consumption when compared to conventional control systems.
Tip #4: Avoid Excessive Heating
Excessive heating is common in pumps that operate highly viscous fluids, especially in paper, petrochemical, sugar processing and food processing industries. Excessive heating damages critical pump parts and can lead to excessive energy consumption.
You can avoid excessive heating by trimming impeller blades. When the blades are trimmed, the energy generated by the pumped fluid decreases, which eliminates excessive heating.
Tip #5: Ensure that the Pump Capacity matches Operational Needs
If there is a mismatch between capacity and operating loads, the efficiency can drop by 25% and in worst cases it can even lead to pump failure. You can avoid the mismatch by calculating the require flow rate, head, suction flow, impeller type while choosing the pump. Trusted pump dealers in India, like Sintech can help you avoid incorrect pump selection.
The right pump selection can help you eliminate pump failure, excessive energy utilisation, loss of productivity, and ineffective operation.
Tip #6: Avoid Oversized/Undersized Pumps
If a pump is oversized or undersized for the existing demand, then it’s throttled leading to excessive energy use. So, it’s highly recommended that you approach a knowledgeable pump dealer in India who can help you find the perfect pump that best fits your operational needs.
Tip #7: Use Parallel Pumps for Systems with Varying Loads
Using parallel systems can reduce energy costs by as much as 50%. Parallel pumping systems are a great way to boost pumping efficiency and reduce power costs. Parallel pumps are specifically efficient in systems with a varying load but a fixed head.
Tip #8: Use Holding Tanks
Holding tanks can help to save electricity costs by 10% and also reduce the load on the pumping system.
Holding tanks help in equalising the flow rates and improving energy efficiency. By using a holding tank, you eliminate the need for an additional pump.
Tip #9: Use Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
VFDs are used to alter the speed of the motors. This device automatically reduces the flow rate as and when needed. The energy consumption of a pump is directly proportional to the flow rate of the pump. So, even a slight decrease in the rate of flow can reduce power consumption significantly, reducing wear and tear.
Tip #10: Avoid Losses Due to Friction
Pipe size (pipe diameter), pipe material, pipe length, the number of bends in the pipe, pipe roughness all play a crucial role in determining losses due to friction in the pumping system. To avoid losses due to friction, ensure that the piping system is properly installed, right in the initial stages.
Before You Leave
The ten tips mentioned above is a great way to:
Increase the performance of the pumping system
Reduce energy consumption
Increase pump life
Along with these tips, undertaking preventive maintenance and regular necessary checks can help you cut down electricity costs, saving the most fundamental energy resource in the world – electrical energy.