No matter the industry you’re in, you have to watch your bottom line. Expenses add up and eat into profits, but as a plant operator you also need to make sure the jobs get done right. It’s a fine line to walk when it comes to owning, operating, and maintaining heavy-duty pumps. There’s energy consumption, downtime for repairs and maintenance, pump production, and overall pump life to worry about.
Here are 9 tips from Cortech DXP that will help reduce pump ownership and operation expenses:
- Select the Right Pump
There are an incredible number of pump types, with different drive systems, pumping mechanics, and configurations. The first step to an efficient operation is selecting the right pump for the specific job. You wouldn’t use a slurry pump for clean water, and vice versa. Whether processing chemicals, petroleum products, wastewater, or food products, there are pumps designed to handle the desired throughput and materials. If you need help selecting the right pumps, let the experts at Cortech DXP guide you in the right direction.
- Configure the Pump to Your Specifications
Selecting the right pump is just the beginning. Proper configuration is then needed to ensure ideal operation. Construction materials and components like mechanical seals will affect how the pump stands up to different types of fluids or corrosives. Input and output sizes and other variables allow the pump to be customized to desired specifications.
- Install the Pump Properly
From the foundation and baseplate, to the precise alignment between the drive and the pump itself, proper installation is necessary for optimal performance. This will reduce downtime, minimize the need for repairs, and extend the overall lifespan on the equipment.
- Control the Water Pressure and Flow Rate
When incorrect water pressure is used, energy can be wasted. This means it costs more to pump, and operational expenses will add up quickly. Components like control valves, variable speed drives (VSds), adjustable speed drives (ASDs), and metering equipment can provide better control over the flow rate and water pressure, which will lead to increased energy efficiency.
- Use More Energy-Efficient Equipment
Pump technology continues to evolve, meaning there are more energy-efficient pumps on the market. They may require a slightly higher initial investment, but can lead to considerable money and energy savings in the long run.
- Use a Multiple-Pump Setup
If you use one pump that is struggling to handle your entire processing load, consider using multiple pumps. A combination of pumps and other specialized equipment can reduce the strain on any one pump, while immensely improving production. Again, it may cost more initially to install a multiple-pump setup, but the more efficient operation will certainly save money in the long run.
- Keep Up with Pump Maintenance
This may be the most important tip of them all. If pumps aren’t properly maintained, component failures can lead to lost production and costly repairs. Develop and follow a strict preventative maintenance plan to replace hydraulic fluids, seals, bearings, drive belts, and any other components that can wear out with time and use.
- Monitor Your Pumps
In addition to preventative pump maintenance, always keep a close eye on flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and all operating factors to ensure ideal, efficient operation. The more you dial-in your system, the more you will get out of it.
- Don’t Put Off Repairs
If you know about a problem with one of your pumps, don’t wait to fix it. Take care of minor repairs and maintenance before they develop into major issues that can lead to downtime, poor performance, wasted energy consumption and, potentially, complete system breakdowns.
If you have questions about how to get the best performance and energy efficiency from your pump systems, or if you need help selecting, configuring, installing, maintaining, or repairing pumps and other rotating equipment, contact Cortech DXP today!