Technical white papers provide informational opportunities to learn about important topics within an area interest. The following papers provide information on pumping systems optimization and energy savings. Please contact us if you would like to contribute a paper to Pump Systems Matter ^TM (PSM).                                         

Nearly 50 individuals attended the Pump Systems Matter “informal session” at the ACEEE Summer Study in July 2005. Participants discussed key opportunities and constraints within the pump system industry. This paper provides an overview of the opportunities for pump systems optimization and plans for the Pump Systems Matter market transformation initiative.

Source: Vestal Tutterow, Alliance to Save Energy (ASE); Robert Asdal, Hydraulic Institute (HI); Aimee T. McKane, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Significant energy savings exist at water treatment facilities in North America. Discussion includes specific approaches, such as using variable speed drives and high efficiency motors as primary sources to realize increased payback of original equipment cost.  This paper also explores life cycle costing as a method to justify investment in equipment upgrades, moving beyond just simple payback periods. 

Sources: Robert Lax, ITT Goulds Residential & Commercial Group, Karen Sanchez, ITT Goulds Residential & Commercial Group and Vestal Tutterow

At the September 2005 EEMODS conference in Heidelberg, Germany, Pump Systems Matter sponsors presented this paper about energy and financial savings regarding proper usage of variable speed pumping.  In one example, correct application of a variable speed drive could have saved one U.S. municipality $57,000 and 1,623,874 kWh per year of energy.  In another, proper installation of new variable speed drives on an existing system saved nearly $660,000 for one Chinese power company!

Sources: Dr. Gunnar Hovstadius, Gunnar Hovstadius Consulting, Vestal Tutterow, Alliance to Save Energy, and Steve Bolles, Process Energy Services.

With an overwhelming majority of pumping systems running nowhere near their best efficiency point, paper companies can find ways to lower energy and operating costs by optimizing their centrifugal pump systems.  Because of design flaws, pump systems often fail to transfer electric power to fluid motion with the efficiency that readily available.  This paper from a Pump Systems Matter sponsor illustrates the need for pulp and paper manufacturers to improve mill economic performance through proper pump selection, sizing, and mechanics. 

Source: Mike Pemberton, ITT IBG/Pump Smart Control Solutions

The Opportunity for Market Transformation in the Industrial Pump Market 

Taking Another Look at Pumping Systems: Opportunities Go Well Beyond Just Energy Savings 

 In September 2005, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Pump Systems Matter jointly developed this paper to discuss and develop a common understanding of the definition of market transformation and the structure of the industrial pump industry, and to identify the opportunities for market transformation of the industrial pump industry.

Source: Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and Pump Systems Matter

At the IETC conference in May 2006, Pump Systems Matter sponsors presented this paper discussing the PSM initiative and some of the tools and collaborative opportunities being developed.  One tool currently available, the Pump System Improvement Modeling Tool™ software package, was examined in detail, including examples of its use.

Source: Vestal Tutterow, Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) and Trey Walters, Applied Flow Technology (AFT)

The Chinese Motor System Optimization Experience: Developing a Template for a National Program   

The Department of Energy created this  market assessment document to understand the energy saving opportunities and system efficiency improvements for motor systems.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT)

In response to an opportunity to improve the energy conservation of pumping systems by 20%, China established the Motor System Energy Conservation Program. The final results of the studies conducted were presented at the EEMOS 2005 conference.

Source: Robert O. Williams, Aimee McKane, Zou Guijn, Steve Nadel, Jane Peters and Vestal Tutterow

Learn that less than 50% of the pumping systems installed are running at their best efficiency.  Understand how improved pumping system performance practices on a facility-wide basis can reduce energy, increase plant profitability and asset reliability and lower operating costs.

Source: Michael Pemberton, ITT IBG/Pump Smart Control Solutions