How “Intelligent Pumping” strategies address disruptive trends in Water Wastewater Industry

Global water shortages, the growth in urban population, environmental regulations, and process inefficiencies are all contributing to a crisis in the water-wastewater industry. Let’s discuss, how migration to a new “intelligent pumping” approach can help water-wastewater organizations address these challenges.

Urbanization:

According to the United Nations, the urban population of the world is forecast to grow to 6.3 billion people in 2050, from 3.4 billion in 2009. This increase in water shortage due to urbanization is resulting  in more water efficient systems and new concepts like water harvesting and desalination plants along with  increased infrastructure for drinking water, waste water management and drainage systems.

Energy crisis:

We understand that energy is required for the systems that lift, move, process and treat the water. It is estimated that 7% to 8% of the energy that is produced globally is used to lift groundwater and pump it through pipes, and to treat both groundwater and wastewater. This figure rises to around 40% in developed countries.

Over 24% percent of energy consumed by industrial motors are consumed by pumps (see Figure 1).  The energy crisis is a major driver in pushing the industry to develop new energy efficient pumps.  Agencies like EuroPump and AHR are defining many standards to ensure energy efficient pumps.

Figure 2 illustrates potential energy savings that exist by running energy efficient pumps:

4 steps to integrating sustainability and energy management

The answer to meet challenges mentioned above is Intelligent Pumping systems. An intelligent pumping system is a pumping system that has the ability to regulate and control flow or pressure with major advantages of energy savings, lifetime improvements and system cost reductions.

According to EuroPump, all the pump systems should be compliant to “Euro Design” according to the Regulation (EU) No 547/2012 Ecodesign requirements for Water Pumps. Ecodesgin suggest considering the pumping system as whole system inclduing the pumps, drives, controlling systems and electrical systems.  The following figure describes the concept:

The following are the main blocks of an intelligent pumping system:

Energy Efficiency:

1. Energy efficiency concepts: EEI, MEI,
2. Energy efficiency is required not only for energy saving but also improved maintenance

Controllers and HMI:

1. Concept of libraries
2. Imbedding safety functions inside controller
3. Improved maintenance

Drives:

1. Initial cost vs operating cost
2. Energy saving with drives
3. Better protection

Pumps:

1. Efficient pumps

Remote monitoring:

1. Smart devices
2. Use of cloud
3. Maintenance

So to conclude, embarking on intelligent pumping is the answer to follow the trends and meet the challenges in a modern day pumping.

A step by step approach can bring a smooth change:

1.  First step should be introducing Energy measuring devices in the architectures. Data from energy meters are useful not only for energy optimization but also helps the operators perform better maintenance.
2. Use controllers with intelligent applications for better protections and reduced commissioning time while following guidelines for standard set by local and global organizations.
3. One of the vital steps is replacing fixed speed pumps with variable speed pumps.
4. For “smart” visibility of the pumping systems, remote monitoring for maintenance and energy efficiency should be provided.

To learn more, visit Pumping Control Solutions

Tags: energy management, ISO 50001