The development direction of stainless steel pumps

Current Status and Development Trends of International Stainless Steel Pumps and Pumping StationsAccording to reports, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is formulating a "Strategic Plan for Manufacturing Industry 'Going Global'", aiming to strengthen overall coordination and classified guidance for enterprises. In response to the increasingly globalized industrial development, it is imperative for us to understand the current status and development trends of international stainless steel pumps and pumping stations.

With the continuous improvement of stainless steel pump design, manufacturing, and application technologies, the manufacturing and production of stainless steel pumps are developing in the directions of larger size, higher capacity, higher head and speed, serialization, generalization, and standardization. Meanwhile, the level of automated control for pumping stations is also constantly improving.

1. Larger Size and Higher Capacity

In the years up to around 2009, the technology of large-scale stainless steel pumps developed rapidly. The impeller diameter of giant axial flow pumps reached 7 meters, and that of submersible pumps reached 1 meter. In China, the maximum single-unit capacity of axial flow pumps produced reached 6,000 kW, mixed-flow pumps 7,000 kW, and centrifugal pumps 8,000 kW; the single-unit capacity of high-pressure boiler feed pumps reached 60,000 kW; the conveying flow rate of new centrifugal submersible pumps reached 1,800 m3/h with a corresponding head of 110 meters, and the maximum water output reached 28,800 m3/h, with a trend of further expansion.

In terms of pumping stations, a number of large-scale pumping stations with innovative structures have emerged, such as "egg-shaped" pumping stations and integrated pumping stations with inlet/outlet pipes and tanks. With the popularization of submersible pumps in drainage applications, a batch of medium and large-sized pumping stations with small space requirements, low investment, and novel structures have also been developed, such as wet-well pump houses constructed of steel or reinforced concrete.

2. Higher Head and Higher Speed

As issues such as pump cavitation and material strength are continuously addressed, the rotational speed of pumps is increasing. In the 1980s, the rotational speed of international-level multi-stage segmented centrifugal pumps was 7,500 r/min, which has now increased to 10,000 r/min. Higher rotational speed inevitably leads to higher pump head. In 2009, the single-stage head of boiler feed pumps exceeded the 1,000-meter mark, and the head of multi-stage pumps could reach over 2,000 meters.

To further achieve higher heads, it is necessary to increase the pump speed. Later, with the continuous advancement of technology, pump speeds have continued to develop toward higher levels. This trend of high-speed development in the pump industry is global.

3. Serialization, Generalization, and Standardization

The serialization, generalization, and standardization of products (referred to as the "Three Standardizations") are inevitable requirements of modern industrial production processes. In 1975, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formulated the main dimensions and specification parameters for single-stage centrifugal pumps with a rated pressure of 720 kPa (ISO 2858-1975E). The performance range of these standard pumps is: flow rate 6.3–400 m3/h, head 25–125 meters. By 2009, in Europe, all pumps meeting these specifications were sold as standard pumps.

Since 1958, China has also made significant efforts in unifying models, classifying series, and standardizing dimensions. Serial standards have been established for key components of pumps, such as brackets, suspension brackets, and bearing brackets, and the level of "Three Standardizations" for products has been continuously improved.

4. Gradually Improved Automation Level of Pumping Stations

In the years up to around 2009, the automation equipment of pumping stations became increasingly sophisticated, and the level of automatic control continued to rise. Modern pumping stations can realize automatic control for processes ranging from unit start-up, operation monitoring, and shutdown to the adjustment and optimal scheduling of multi-stage pumping station systems. Computer technology and network systems are increasingly widely used in the automatic control of pumping stations, and the management level is also gradually improved.

With the development of sciences and technologies such as atomic energy and petrochemical industry, there will be higher demands for the development of various special pump products with high speed, high temperature and pressure resistance, high efficiency, and large capacity. At the same time, it is also required to continuously improve the quality and level of existing conventional products. To achieve this goal, innovations must be made in a series of links, including basic theories, computing technology, model testing, measurement methods, material selection, and processing technology. In terms of pumping station design and operation management, active measures should be taken to maximize the efficiency of working pumps and improve the automated control level of pumping stations.

Source: http://www.bengyechina.com/news_show-53403-1.html

Reprint Note: China Pump Industry Network