Ultimately, your goal is to have a full optimized pump system. You want it working as efficiently as possible to save on energy costs. You want it to be reliable to minimize downtime, lost production, and repair expenses. If your pump isn’t fully optimized, you are wasting time and money. It’s as simple as that.
Of course, it would be ideal to have the ability to buy all new equipment and upgrade your entire pump system. However, that simply isn’t an option at most facilities. So you have to do what you can to get the most out of your existing pump(s).
Here are 4 tips from Cortech DXP to optimize your existing pump system:
- Get an Expert Assessment
Certified pump system assessment professionals (PSAPs) can perform thorough pump system assessments (PSAs). The objective is to get a professional analysis of your entire pump system to determine if it is currently operating at maximum efficiency and to determine if it can be optimized. Some pumps may be running at full capacity, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are optimized for your specific application. You may not have the ideal pump system in place, and that inefficiency can cost you over time.
- Review Your Existing Pump System
If you are attempting to optimize your pump system on your own or with the help of an outside engineer, the first step is to thoroughly inspect and test your existing equipment. Look at flow rates, pressure consistency, fuel and energy consumption, and any other measurables that are most important to your operation. Figure out what your ideal optimization looks like and determine if your current system is achieving those numbers. If it isn’t, you then have some decisions to make.
- Optimize or Upgrade?
If your pump system isn’t currently optimized, you’ll want to determine how much it can be improved. There may be alternative settings, external attachments, internal components, or monitoring equipment you can choose to get the absolute most out of what you have. Then, you can put a plan in place to get your pump system optimized. Every system is unique, so your plan will have to be tailored to your equipment, operation, and specific application. However, even a fully optimized existing system may still not yield ideal performance and production. You then have to decide if you want to make the most of your current system, or if it’s time to upgrade to a new system that will provide more consistent output and better operating efficiency.
- Long-Term Cost Analysis
Part of making the decision to upgrade or not will come down to a careful cost analysis. Figure out what your existing pump system can achieve if it were to be fully optimized. Then, determine how much it will cost you in terms of energy consumption and ongoing maintenance or repairs to keep it running at peak efficiency. You may be able to save money in the short-term by not making upgrades, but you might be losing money over the long run. Compare this cost analysis of your existing system with a thorough cost analysis of a new system. Calculate what it will cost you to buy and install the new equipment against what it may save you over time with better energy efficiency, increased performance capabilities, and less downtime for maintenance and repairs.
In most cases, it comes down to a tough decision between applying the time, money, and effort to optimize your existing pump system or simply upgrading to a better pump system that will fulfill your specific production needs with improved energy efficiency. What are your short-term and long-term costs for each option and what are the positive benefits of each solution?
Optimizing Existing Pump System
- Pros: Cheaper, faster
- Cons: May still not achieve fully optimized efficiency or performance, older equipment means higher risks of failures
Upgrading to a New Pump System
- Pros: New equipment, energy efficiency, proper pump selection, increased performance, less risk for downtime and repairs
- Cons: More expensive upfront
Whether you are looking to optimize your existing pump system or thinking about upgrading to a new system, Cortech DXP has you covered. We can help you select, configure, install and maintain a new pump system if you are ready to upgrade. We also offer professional equipment assessment services, repair solutions, and maintenance plans to help you with your existing systems. Contact us today to learn more.