Overview of the Pump Systems

Assessment Professional
(PSAP) Certification
 Hydraulic Institute/Pump Systems Matter
Hydraulic Institute’s (HI’s) Mission: Advancing the pump manufacturing industry
by becoming the world’s resource for pumping solutions by:
• Addressing Pump Systems
• Developing Standards
• Expanding Knowledge and Resources
• Educating the Marketplace
• Advocating for the Industry
• Pump Systems Matter (PSM) – is a non-profit educational organization
established by the Hydraulic Institute, and leading utilities and energy efficiency
organizations, to educate the industry on the benefits of pump systems
optimization and energy efficiency to improve the bottom-line savings of end-
user companies.
• For more information on the Hydraulic Institute, Pump Systems Matter, its
member companies and Partners, visit www.Pumps.org
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Meet Your Presenter
Edgar Suarez is the Manager of Technical Programs at
the Hydraulic Institute who manages the day-to-day
activities of the Pump Test Lab Approval Program, the
Energy Rating Program, and the Pump Systems
Assessment Professional (PSAP) Certification Program.
Additionally, he works with HI committee volunteers in
the development of new or revised standards,
guidebooks, and educational products.

Edgar Suarez

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Presentation Overview
This is a basic overview of the PSAP Certification Program.
We will not be covering specific topics or the process on
the implementation of a pump system assessment.

• Why System Optimization and Assessment are Important

• Development of the PSAP Certification
• Certification Process and Requirements
• Scheduling a Certification Exam
• Educational Resources to Prepare for the Certification
Exam

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 Why Pump System
Optimization and
Assessments are Important

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Why Focus on Pumping Systems?
• In the manufacturing sector, pumps represent 27% of the electricity
used by industrial systems
• In wastewater plants, electrical usage with pumping systems accounts
for 20% - 30% of consumption
• In municipal water systems, pumping systems account for 46% of
electrical usage

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 Electrical Energy Savings Potential
Pumps
Systems are
Energy
Intensive.
GWhr / Year

Source: U.S. Industrial Motor Systems,

Market Opportunities Assessment,
U.S. Department of Energy

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 Look Beyond Energy Savings
Energy cost is a top consideration, but there are also values for non-
energy benefits:
• Higher Reliability
• Increase Productivity
• Less Equipment Wear and Tear
• Reduced Maintenance Cost
• Reduce Production Losses
• Increase Capacity Utilization
• Reduce Environmental Impact

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Conventional 75 HP Pumping System 20 Year Life Cycle Cost

Total 20 Year
Life Cycle Cost
= $755,000

Reference : CostWare Analysis

83%

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 What is System Optimization?

“The process of identifying, understanding, and

effectively eliminating unnecessary losses while
reducing energy consumption and improving
reliability in pumping systems, which while
meeting process requirements, minimizes the cost
of ownership over the economic life of the
pumping systems.”

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 Why Focus on System Optimization?
FACTS
1. Large potential in pumping systems for operation and
maintenance savings
2. Improving pump efficiency alone provides limited
energy reduction
3. Pumping systems efficiency and reliability is highly
influenced by the system they are supplying – the focus
must be on the entire pumping system

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 How Pumping Systems Become
Inefficient and Have Low Reliability
• Built for lowest first cost instead of life cycle cost
• Engineers over-size pumps, control valves, and other equipment to
ensure system operation
• Systems designed to meet future requirements, but operated to
meet current conditions
• Systems age & equipment wear reduces overall efficiency
• Process changes and modifications affect the system operation
• Lack of a “system approach” can hide problems that reduce overall
system efficiency

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 Making the Business Case for
Optimization
Business case should be:
• Improve operation & reduce maintenance
• Reduce energy usage
• Improve stakeholder value and profit
• Provide savings to the facility’s bottom line

Q: How can we gather the data required to make

the business case?

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 Making the Business Case for
Optimization
Business case should be:
• Improve operation & reduce maintenance
• Reduce energy usage
• Improve stakeholder value and profit
• Provide savings to the facility’s bottom line

Q: How can we gather the data required to make

the business case?

A: Conduct a Pump System Assessment

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 What is a System Assessment?

“A logically stepped data collection and evaluation

process to quantify the magnitude of improvement
opportunities within a pump system and to suggest
specific changes.”

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 Why Perform System Assessments?

1. Identifies problematic areas where the greatest

opportunities for improvement exit
2. Assessment methodology is key

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Development of the
PSAP Certification

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 Paving the Way Towards
More Energy Efficient and
Reliable Pumping Systems

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 Paving the Way Towards
More Energy Efficient and
Reliable Pumping Systems

Energy Rating Database Website 19

er.pumps.org
 Paving the Way Towards
More Energy Efficient and
Reliable Pumping Systems

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 Pump System Assessment Professional
(PSAP) Certification
New PSAP certification outlines
requirements
• Outlines tasks and knowledge
• Comprehensive exam
• Tests the knowledge of candidates related to knowledge
requirements to improve system reliability and efficiency.
• Provides assurance that candidates have experience and
knowledge required to conduct pump systems assessments

More Information at:

pumps.org/PSAP 21
 Development of the Certification
• Subject mater experts performed a Job Task
Analysis that defined domains, tasks and
knowledge requirements to conduct a pump
system assessment.
• Examination committee developed a
comprehensive exam based on the JTA to test a
candidate’s knowledge on this subject.
Domain Weight
Integration and Data Gathering 36%
Data Analysis 46%
Post Assessment 18%
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 Pump System Assessment -Tasks/Steps
1. Determine if system is amenable to a PSA
2. Obtain and analyze initial information about the pump system
(i.e. pre- screening).
3. Define PSA team, roles &responsibilities, project scope and
boundary conditions.
4. Visual assessment of the pump system, obtain additional
information, and finalize the project scope.
5. Interview stakeholders to answer questions, verify
information, and provide additional information.
6. Obtain real-time pump system operation data.
7. Cross-validate the pump system data collected to ensure
accuracy.

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 Pump System Assessment - Tasks/Steps
8. Analyze data based on the project scope and boundary conditions.
9. Interpret the analysis, establish initial findings and options for
optimization.
10. Formulate specific recommendations for optimization
11. Prepare PSA report that with sufficient data and prioritized
recommendations with costs and benefits.
12. Present the report to stakeholders and assist in the transition from
assessment to implementation.
13. Perform post-implementation measurement and verification and
generate a report.

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 Pump System Assessment
Knowledge Requirements
1. Pump types (e.g. rotodynamic &
positive displacement types)
2. Pump system components (e.g.
tanks, valves, pipes, sealing, heat
exchangers, couplings, etc.)
3. Pump system component
interactions
4. Pump system operating
procedures
5. Benefits of pump system
optimization
6. Factors that impact pump
efficiency and reliability
7. Factors that affect pump system
reliability and efficiency
8. Elements of lifecycle costing
9. Basic pump maintenance practices
10.Piping and instrumentation diagrams
11.Isometrics
12.Process flow diagrams
13.Engineering Drawings
14.Key plant personnel needed on the
assessment team
15.Roles and responsibilities of an
assessment team
16.Field measurement parameters and
their acceptable ranges
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 Pump System Assessment
Knowledge Requirements
17.Hydraulic and electrical formulae 26.Industry best practices
18.Measuring devices and their 27.Basic financial analysis
requirements and proper
28.Utility rate structures and incentives
applications
29.Principles and techniques of
19.Common operating problems and prioritizing solutions
errors
30.Elements and layout of a pump system
20.Pump and motor performance assessment report
curves
31.Presentation techniques
21.System curves
32.Techniques for assisting stakeholders
22.Parameter estimation methods in aligning goals and strategies with
23.Data and its relationship to assessment recommendations
reliability 33.Implementation strategies
24.Reliability metrics
34.Commissioning
25.Currently available equipment and
technology
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 PSAP Certification
Process and Requirements

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 Pump Systems Assessment
Professional Certification
Becoming PSAP Certified What’s on the exam?
Domain Weight
Review Program
Requirements Integration and Data Gathering 36%
Data Analysis 46%
Application and Post Assessment 18%
Fee Submittal

Schedule Exam

Certification
Granted

Certification
Renewal pumps.org/PSAP 28
 Eligibility Requirements
Education
• Applicants are required to possess an undergraduate or graduate degree
from a regionally accredited university or college in a STEM or business
field and must submit official transcripts.
• In lieu of an undergraduate or graduate degree, applicants must possess
direct industrial or commercial fluid transfer and pumping systems
professional experience with five (5) or more years in a
field/management position and have completed a minimum of seven (7)
pump systems assessments.

Experience
• Applicants must have a minimum of three (3) years of professional
pump/pumping system experience and must submit contact
information of supervisor or client that can verify experience.

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 Certification Program Policies
• Complaint Process
• Appeals
• Discipline Process
• Code of Ethics
• Certification Renewal

All certification program policies and requirements are contained in the

Candidates Handbook available on the PSAP website:
www.pumps.org/PSAP
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 Pump Systems Assessment
Professional Certification
Becoming PSAP Certified What’s on the exam?
Domain Weight
Review Program
Requirements Integration and Data Gathering 36%
Data Analysis 46%
Application and Post Assessment 18%
Fee Submittal

Schedule Exam

Certification
Granted

Certification
Renewal www.pumps.org/PSAP 31
32
33
Certification Fees

$150 Discount available to the first 50 applicants

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 Pump Systems Assessment
Professional Certification
Becoming PSAP Certified What’s on the exam?
Domain Weight
Review Program
Requirements Integration and Data Gathering 36%
Data Analysis 46%
Application and Post Assessment 18%
Fee Submittal

Schedule Exam

Certification
Granted

Certification
Renewal www.pumps.org/PSAP 35
 Scheduling an Exam
• HI Proctored Exams
• Candidates may request exams be proctored at HI
headquarters in Parsippany, NJ or at HI conferences.
Please contact HI staff to schedule an exam.
• Arrange Your Own Proctor
• HI allows candidates to make arrangements with a
qualified individual to proctor the exam.
• To be qualified as a proctor, he/she must review the
Proctor Guidebook and complete the Proctor Agreement
Form.
• Proctors are prohibited from administering examinations
to their friends, relatives, students,
supervisors/managers, or employees/subordinates.

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 Pump Systems Assessment
Professional Certification
Becoming PSAP Certified What’s on the exam?
Domain Weight
Review Program
Requirements Integration and Data Gathering 36%
Data Analysis 46%
Application and Post Assessment 18%
Fee Submittal

Schedule Exam

Certification
Granted

Certification
Renewal John Doe, PSAP 37
 Pump Systems Assessment
Professional Certification
Becoming PSAP Certified What’s on the exam?
Domain Weight
Review Program
Requirements Integration and Data Gathering 36%
Data Analysis 46%
Application and Post Assessment 18%
Fee Submittal

Schedule Exam

Certification
Granted

Certification
Renewal www.pumps.org/PSAP 38
 Certification Renewal Requirements
• Certificates are only valid for
three (3) years.
• Must submit renewal
applications forms
• All PSAP certified individuals
will be required to achieve a
total of 30 PDHs within the
three (3)year certification
period.

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 Educational Resources

HI eStore Website: estore.pumps.org 40

 October 8-10 – Morton Grove, IL
November 12-14 – Seattle, WA

Register online at www.pumps.org/prepcourse

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 Pump Systems Assessment
Professional Certification
1. PSAP is the benchmark for industry professionals.
2. Use PSAP credential to better position employees and
the organization.
3. Assure clients of your expertise and differentiate yourself
from your competitors.
4. PSO/PSA training provides the knowledge and tools to
interact with customers on a service based engagement.
5. Implement proven methodologies to advance your sales
position.

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 Contact Us

Edgar Suarez
Technical Program Manager
esuarez@pumps.org
973-267-9700 ext. 1221

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