Fig. 1 Analyzing vibration measurements on Omnitrend Center taken by Vibscanner 2.

It’s not a secret, that vibration on machines causes severe issues – not only on a long term perspective. Vibration, caused by any issue is the natural enemy of any rotating machine such as a pump. Due to the latest handheld high-speed data collector Vibscanner by Pruftechnik vibration of all kind on all kind of machine can be detected during the maintenance routine.

With the special software Omnitrend Center the measurement results of Vibscanner 2 (Fig. 1) can be analyzed deeply and used for an entire machine health program. But what measurements does the new high-speed data collector Vibscanner 2 deliver, how do you interpret these and how can you react on these measurements? Let us give you a quick kick-start into vibration analysis to help keep your pumps alive.

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This new KSB app called ‘FlowManager’ can be used to operate and configure the PumpDrive 2 and PumpDrive 2 Eco variable speed systems. It can also be used to adjust the fixed speed of MyFlow Drive to the optimum operating point. The new KSB FlowManager app features all of the familiar basic functions from previous versions of the MyPump Drive app and supports both IOS and Android devices. It is available for download from the iTunes Store and Google Play Store free of charge.

The app’s main functions can be summarised under the terms operation and monitoring.

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www.starpumpalliance.com a new selection portal for the pump users. The Star Pump Alliance has set itself the goal to assist professional users of pumps in selecting pump technology tailored to fit their specific applications. “Our portal offers extensive information about pump technologies as well as a tool for the individual selection of pumps with access to the product portfolios of different brands. This selector proposes to website visitors one or several suitable pump technologies for each specific application on the basis of the application characteristics the users have entered”, Kai Stegemann, General Manager of Star Pump Alliance GmbH.

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Solenoid diaphragm metering pump with Dulconnect

Monitoring and controlling the interwoven processes produces an ever increasing amount of data and information. And this needs to be designed to be as transparent as possible. Modern metering pumps are equipped with features, which accommodate Chemistry 4.0 and/or Process 4.0. They reduce consumption of the raw materials and help to minimize operating errors and downtimes. This is achieved because the pumps are not only robust, adaptive and user-friendly, but are designed to offer comprehensive networking. They are robust: their construction ensures a long service life and high availability. They are adaptive and can automatically adapt to constantly changing operating conditions. They are user-friendly, easy to install and commission. Clear, intuitive operation ensures simple parameterization, calibration and storage. They can be networked they communicate using CANopen, Profibus and Profinet at fieldbus level and can be remote-controlled using an app.

New metering pumps gamma/ x and gamma/ XL clearly illustrate how these features are realized. ProMinent will present the new solenoid diaphragm metering pump at Achema 2018.

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At this year’s Achema, KSB is presenting a new pump monitoring system called KSB Guard. Networked vibration and temperature sensors fitted directly to the pump make availability at plant level transparent. The system ensures that changes in the operating behaviour of the machine are detected at an early stage, and maintenance work can be better planned, without having to be on site with the pump. Unlike previous systems, KSB Guard is ideally suited for retrofitting. The sensor unit is attached to the bearing bracket or the drive lantern of the pump using a magnet and adhesive, and can be mounted during operation, with no need for changes to the machine. A battery unit, which is also supplied, provides self-sufficient power supply.

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PEC-EX is the latest software module the company R. Stahl introduces exclusively for the plant managers working in the explosion-protected plants. The primary objective of this solution is to optimise the planning execution and documentation of the inspections and tests conducted periodically in a plant.

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Few components in plant and equipment engineering are as steeped in tradition as the pump. But how does this fit in with the age of digitalisation? And is it even possible to design a hydraulic element that is fit for Industry 4.0? KSB has been reconciling these two worlds successfully for some time now.

KSB has always focused primarily on the optimisation of pumps – knowing the exact load profile and tuning the pump to the operating point. This is borne out by the sheer number of different pump casings and materials used and the impeller adjustment options available. However, conditions can change during the life of a pump and it often happens that a pump no longer runs at the optimum operating point. This also applies to newly installed pumps. For years now, KSB experts have therefore been investigating how to optimise pumps more easily without using complex analytics or even having to replace the pump.

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Figure 1:
Flowpath geometry of the pump (left) and computational mesh in Star-CCM (right)
along center plane

Mechanical Solutions Inc. (MSI), headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, specializes in fluid machinery design, fluid dynamic analysis, mechanical design and analysis. In the energy industry, MSI focuses on analysis, testing and troubleshooting of all kinds of rotating, reciprocating and turbomachinery, using sophisticated analysis and testing tools. These specialists are using Star-CCM, an industry-leading simulation package to tackle design challenges in water pumps.

Major design challenges of water pumps include the unsteadiness of the flow, cavitation and rotating machinery. Star-CCM offers features that can successfully tackle these difficult physics while offering a streamlined, robust numerical design process. Geometry generation, meshing, solving, post-processing and optimization can all be done in an efficient workflow.

Features like the unsteady flow solver, unsteady cavitation model, Rigid Body Motion (RBM) for rotating domains, automated unstructured meshing for complex geometry and parallel processing capability offer the ability to explore multiple water pump designs in an economical manner. The system allows designers to easily predict pump performance at design and off-design points and avoid damaging effects of cavitation and erosion.

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Tahoe Design Software’s New PumpBase™3 Catalog Builder version includes many new features of interest to Pump Manufacturers such as complete Catalog Production tools, Graphical Curve Entry and detailed Multi-Stage Analysis.

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