Abstract
Significant opportunities exist to reduce the energy consumption of pumped systems through
smart design, retrofitting and operating practices (Hydraulic Institute et al., 2004; European
Commission, 2001). Besides higher electricity costs and CO2 emissions, inefficient pumps
have lower reliability and higher maintenance costs.
Pump efficiency is directly related to the electrical energy consumption, pump reliability and
maintenance costs.
The aim of the research is to review design and operating practices currently used in
industry to monitor, control, maintain and operate centrifugal pumps. The objectives of the
research are as follows:
1. Determine the factors that contribute to pump reliability and mechanical pump
efficiency
2. Ascertain to what extent pumps are monitored and controlled in industry
3. Determine what operation and maintenance strategies are used in industry
4. Establish if energy audits are being conducted
A qualitative research design was utilized. The research can be viewed as exploratory.
The aims of the research are achieved through a literature review and interviews, guided by
a questionnaire, with industry experts.
In order to increase the reliability of the analysis all data was uploaded into a qualitative data
analysis package, ‘Atlas.ti’. This software tracks the progress of the data analysis more
carefully than data analysis by hand. The data from the interviews was analysed using
thematic analysis.
The interview texts were examined for emerging themes. The analysis followed a datadriven
approach, which is appropriate to exploratory case study research where prior
examples of themes in the literature are absent. A reliable method described by (Boyatzis,
1998) was used.
A pump system first has to be reviewed and understood before corrective action can be
taken. An energy audit is a tool that can be used to review systems and quantify potential
savings in a system. Instrumentation must be installed to conduct the audit.
The operating point (flow, head) of a pump determines its efficiency and reliability.
Methods to improve centrifugal pump system performance through design:
1. Change the physical system a pump operates in
2. Change the diameter of the impeller or change the pump itself
3. Change the running speed of the pump...
M.Ing. (Engineering Management)