JA N UA R Y 2 0 2 2

SYSTEMS
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM

The Leading Resource for Pump Users Worldwide

STATE OF
THE INDUSTRY 2022
WHEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN

BREAKS
WHAT DOES BUY AMERICAN
MEAN FOR THE PUMP INDUSTRY?

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
PLAN FOR 2022

PROTECT PUMPS IN
FOOD & BEVERAGE

HOW ACCURATE ARE YOUR HVAC

PRESSURE INSTRUMENTS?
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Check 103 on index.

FROM THE EDITOR

In the January 2021 issue, I wrote in my editor’s letter that I was “hesitant to march into 2021
full of positivity and vigor.” Unfortunately, I feel the same way as we kick off 2022. While I
believe wholeheartedly in the resiliency and can-do attitude of the pump industry, I also
EDITORIAL
believe in facing reality and not burying my head in the sand.
EDITOR: Jennifer King
To that end, I recommend turning to our State of the Industry series of articles, starting jdking@cahabamedia.com • 205-278-2826
on page 13. We interviewed 17 experts about what’s on their minds as we head into the new PRODUCTION MANAGER: Amy Hyde
year. You won’t be surprised that the two concerns that top their lists are supply chain issues ahyde@cahabamedia.com • 205-314-8274
and labor shortages. Although these concerns loom large—and are likely to stick around for MANAGING EDITOR: Drew Champlin
quite some time—I was empowered by what Blue-White CEO Rob Gledhill said about having dchamplin@cahabamedia.com • 205-314-8264
a “make it yourself” mindset, quoting the well-known saying “Necessity is the mother of ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Evi Arthur
invention.” While not all of our issues will be solved with this pragmatic way of thinking, it earthur@cahabamedia.com • 205-278-2839
certainly helps fuel creativity among our workforces. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Lev Nelik, Ray Hardee,
Jim Elsey
Be sure to also read the global perspective on page 21 from economist Chris Angle and
CREATIVE SERVICES
his father, pump expert Tom Angle, who report on the supply chain predicament and the
DIGITAL PROJECT MANAGER &
continuing impact of the pandemic. SENIOR ART DIRECTOR: Greg Ragsdale
Another major issue the pump industry will face next year, and possibly for years to come, ART DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Chick
is the Buy American requirements by the Biden administration and how they are tied up in
WEB DEVELOPER: Greg Caudle
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Hydraulic Institute Executive Director Michael
CIRCULATION
Michaud and Vice President of Governmental Affairs Mark Chaffee helped us explain this
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Lori Masaoay
complicated issue and how it will affect our industry on page 20.
lmasaoay@cahabamedia.com • 205-278-2840
Finally, check out what our industry associations will be up to this year on page 22. They
SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES & INQUIRIES:
are focused on providing valuable training to the current workforce and reaching out to customerservice@cahabamedia.com
the engineers, operations and maintenance professionals and more that will make up our
ADVERTISING
industry members in the future. We are all so thankful for what they do.
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER:
Not to be forgotten, we also have an informative section on pumps in the food and
Derrell Moody
beverage sector—particularly one piece on pumping chocolate that made my mouth water! dmoody@pump-zone.com • 205-345-0784
As we start the new year, I wish each of you health and happiness and hope that cautious
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES:
optimism will fuel us forward in whatever challenges 2022 may bring.
Mark Goins
mgoins@pump-zone.com • 205-345-6414
As always, thanks for reading. Gannon Greene
ggreene@pump-zone.com • 205-278-2876
Garrick Stone
gstone@pump-zone.com • 205-212-9406
CLIENT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE:
Editor Jennifer King Kimberly Davis | (205) 212-9402, ext. 210
jdking@cahabamedia.com kdavis@cahabamedia.com

PUBLISHER: Matthew G. Conroy

VP OF SALES: Greg Meineke
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Terri McVey
CONTROLLER: Brandon Whittemore

P.O. Box 530067

Pumps & Systems Birmingham, AL 35253
is a member of the following organizations:
EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION
PUMPS & SYSTEMS (ISSN# 1065-108X) is published monthly by Cahaba Media Group, 1900 28th Avenue S., Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35209.
1900 28th Avenue South, Suite 200
Periodicals postage paid at Birmingham, AL, and additional mailing offices. Subscriptions: Free of charge to qualified industrial pump users. Birmingham, AL 35209
Publisher reserves the right to determine qualifications. Annual subscriptions: US and possessions $48, all other countries $125 US funds (via air 205-212-9402
mail). Single copies: US and possessions $5, all other countries $15 US funds (via air mail). Call 205-278-2840 inside or outside the U.S. POSTMASTER:
Send changes of address and form 3579 to Pumps & Systems, P.O. Box 530067, Birmingham, AL 35253. ©2022 Cahaba Media Group, Inc. No part of
this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher does not warrant, either expressly or by implication,
the factual accuracy of any advertisements, articles or descriptions herein, nor does the publisher warrant the validity of any views or opinions
offered by the authors of said articles or descriptions. The opinions expressed are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent
the opinions of Cahaba Media Group. Cahaba Media Group makes no representation or warranties regarding the accuracy or appropriateness of the
advice or any advertisements contained in this magazine. SUBMISSIONS: We welcome submissions. Unless otherwise negotiated in writing by
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third parties) to edit, reproduce, distribute, publish and adapt your submission in any medium on multiple occasions. You are free to publish your
submission yourself or to allow others to republish your submission. Submissions will not be returned. Volume 30, Issue 1.

2 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022

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Check 105 on index.

IN THIS ISSUE
JANUARY 2022
TH E
E OF
STATD U STRY
IN
2022
13 17 Experts on Industry Trends,
Supply Chain & More
By PUMPS & SYSTEMS Staff
18 How M&A Activity Impacted
the Pumps Industry in 2021
By Thomas Haan,
GLOBAL EQUITY CONSULTING
SPECIAL SECTION:
FOOD & BEVERAGE
24 Selecting a Pump for
Food, Beverage & Other
Sensitive Applications
By Jeff Shaffer & Brendon Forrest,
GRACO, INC.
26 6 Common Pitfalls for
Pumping Chocolate
By Chris Johnson,
CRANE ENGINEERING
28 Improve Pump Maintenance &
Reliability in Food & Beverage
By Eric Soderstrom,
UNIBLOC PUMP
Editorial Advisory Board
THOMAS L. ANGLE, P.E., MSC,
Geschaeftsleiter (CEO), Swiss Flow
Solutions GmbH
R. THOMAS BROWN III, President,
Advanced Sealing International (ASI)
KEVIN CLARK, Vice President,
Industrial Strategy, Accruent
BOB DOMKOWSKI, Business
Development Manager/Engineering
Consultant, Xylem, Inc., Water
Solutions USA – Flygt
JIM DRAGO, Principal Applications
Engineer, Garlock Sealing
Technologies
4 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
20 What Does Buy American COLUMNS
Mean for the Pumps Industry?
By Jennifer King, 10 COMMON PUMPING
PUMPS & SYSTEMS MISTAKES
Casing vs. Impeller
21 A Look at the Shifting Global By Jim Elsey, SUMMIT PUMP INC.
Trade Paradigm
By Chris Angle & Tom Angle,
MECHANICS BANK & SWISS FLOW DEPARTMENTS
SOLUTIONS GMBH
37 EFFICIENCY 101
22 Industry Associations Save Energy & Costs With VSDs
Plan for 2022 By Simon Turnbull,
VOITH
40 HI PUMP FAQS
✚ PLUS
Pump Vibration Standards &
31 The Importance of Metering Pump Applications
Power Quality With the
Rise in Automation 42 SEALING SENSE
By Frederic Baudart & Power Industry & Elastomeric
Frank Healy,
Expansion Joints
FLUKE RELIABILITY SYSTEMS
& FLUKE CORPORATION By James M. Gannatal,
PROCO PRODUCTS, FSA MEMBER
34 How Accurate Are
Your HVAC System’s
Pressure Instruments? EVERY ISSUE
By Steven St. Hilaire, 2 FROM THE EDITOR
ASHCROFT
6 NEWS
36 Fire Pump Maintenance: 44 PRODUCTS
Repacking Pumps
By Phil Jamerson, 45 ADVERTISERS INDEX
PEERLESS PUMP COMPANY
46 PUMP USERS MARKETPLACE
48 PUMP MARKET ANALYSIS
JIM ELSEY, General Manager, JOHN MALINOWSKI, Industrial SCOTT SORENSEN, Oil & Gas
Summit Pump, Inc. Motor Consultant Automation Consultant & Market
Developer, Siemens Industry Sector
JOE EVANS, Ph.D., Customer & MICHAEL MICHAUD, Executive
Employee Education, PumpTech, Inc. Director, Hydraulic Institute ADAM STOLBERG, Executive Director,
Submersible Wastewater Pump
GEORGE HARRIS, President & CEO, LEV NELIK, Ph.D., P.E., APICS, Association (SWPA)
Hydro International Center for Pumps
Research and Development, Israel DOUG VOLDEN, Global Engineering
ROB LAIRD, Practice Leader, Director, John Crane
Woodard & Curran HENRY PECK, CEO, Geiger
Pump & Equipment Company CHRIS WILDER, CEO, SEPCO
LARRY LEWIS, President, Vanton
Pump and Equipment Corp. MICHELE SHAUGHNESSY,
Vice President Marketing & Sales,
TODD LOUDIN, President/CEO PSG Dover
North American Operations,
Flowrox Inc.
Performance Testing:
What Is Your Pump
Trying to Tell You?
Learn how testing can identify issues prior
to installation and save time and money.

Thursday, January 27, 2022

12 p.m. CT
FREE

Sponsored by

Would you drive a car off the lot without taking it for
a test drive first? Probably not. And yet so many end
users “drive” their pumps off the lot and expect them
to work exactly to specification.
Pump testing is an essential step in evaluating the
hydraulic and mechanical performance of a pump
before installation. Testing is applicable to new pumps,
refurbished pumps or re-engineered pumps and offers
insights into equipment reliability and performance and
can measure the effect of design changes.
Understanding the power and benefit of aftermarket
testing can be confusing. Especially without the
knowledge of the various testing capabilities available.
Hydro’s testing facility is designed in compliance with
Hydraulic Institute Standards and API 610. It’s capable
of testing horizontal, vertical and submersible pumps up
to 5,000 horsepower. This webinar will focus on aspects
of aftermarket testing on problem pumps by diving
deep into several case studies where issues were found
with a pump prior to assembly—helping save time,
headaches and money.
- - - Register at pumpsandsystems.com/webinars
Speakers
Papadakos is the manager of Hydro
Inc.’s state-of-the-art Test Lab. He
directly manages all functions related
to the daily operational needs of the
lab. He specializes in testing solutions
for critical operating equipment in
the nuclear (safety and non-safety
Thomas Papadakos
Manager related), power utility, pipeline, and oil
Hydro and gas industries.
As Hydro’s director of condition
monitoring and test lab, Panagoulias
is responsible for overseeing the
overall operations and productivity of
Hydro Inc.’s Test Lab and IIoT wireless
condition monitoring’s services
(Centaur). He started his career at
Ares Panagoulias
Director of Condition Hydro as a new college graduate and
Monitoring & Test Lab has been working in the aftermarket
Hydro pump industry for over a decade.
Panagoulias was also named one of
Pumps and System’s Top 10 Pump
Professionals to Watch.
NEWS
NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS & RECOGNITIONS
MAHESH THADHANI
KP ENGINEERING
HOUSTON – KP Engineering
has named Mahesh Thadhani
as senior vice president of
business development. Based in Houston,
Thadhani will be responsible for managing
key client relationships and growing KPE’s
client base through careful strategic
planning. He brings almost 30 years of
experience in vice president, business
development and engineering roles for
companies including Wood plc., URS Corp.,
CH2M HILL and Fluor. Thadhani holds
a degree in chemical engineering from
Georgia Tech.
kpe.com
JUSTIN BENNETT
MAZZEI
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Mazzei
Injector Company announced
that Justin Bennett has been
promoted to vice president of engineering
and operations. Bennett began his journey
with Mazzei in January 2005 and has
performed in several key roles during his
tenure. Since 2013 he has served as director
of engineering and development overseeing
Mazzei’s production and design efforts.
mazzei.net
ANTONIO FILIPPI
M PUMPS
CORBOLA, Italy – M Pumps
has hired Antonio Filippi
as the new sales director.
Filippi will work together with M Pumps
management bringing experience in
business development, marketing, product
management and business strategy. He
holds a master’s degree in engineering
from the University of Padua and has
15 years of experience in the pumps
market, working with DAB Pumps, part of
Grundfos Group.
mpumps.it
MIKKO KETO
FLSMIDTH
COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Thomas Schulz
has made the decision to take a role
6 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
outside of the company and will step down
as FLSmidth’s CEO. Mikko Keto, who joined
FLSmidth in January 2021 as president of
FLSmidth’s mining business and member
of group executive management, has been
appointed incoming CEO by FLSmidth’s
board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2022.
flsmidth.com
TRAVIS BRADLEY &
ANDREW SCHWARZE
FRANKLIN ELECTRIC
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Franklin
Electric recently announced
some personnel moves and
additions within its water
systems sales team. Travis
Bradley has been promoted
to business unit director of industrial and
engineered systems. Filling his previous
position, Andrew Schwarze has joined the
organization as business unit director of
groundwater distributors. Both will be
responsible for directing Franklin Electric’s
product development, sales and support
efforts throughout the United States and
Canada.
franklin-electric.com
JAMES PARKER
SGH
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Simpson Gumpertz
& Heger (SGH) board of directors appointed
a new executive partnership to lead the
firm, effective Jan. 1, 2022. James Parker
will become SGH’s CEO, focusing on the
firm’s strategic direction and corporate
initiatives. Niklas Vigener will take on a new
role as chief technical officer (CTO), leading
SGH’s technical professionals.
sgh.com
JOHN WATWOOD
MOTION
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Motion
Industries, Inc., announced the
promotion of John Watwood
to vice president of operations integration,
effective immediately.
Watwood moves to this position from
vice president/group executive for the
Southeast, to which he was promoted in
2019. In his new and expanded role, he will
be responsible for Motion’s distribution/
fulfillment network, branch operations
support and enterprise excellence.
Watwood has more than 20 years of
experience in various sales and operations
roles in both manufacturing and
distribution—including his employment
with Motion Industries, which began
in 2008.
motionindustries.com
LISA GRAHAM
SEEQ
SEATTLE – Seeq has appointed
former chief operating officer
(COO) Lisa J. Graham as CEO,
effective immediately. Former CEO and
co-founder Steve Sliwa will remain at Seeq
in an advisory role as vice chairman and
co-founder. Seeq also appointed Ashley
Kramer to the company’s board of directors.
Graham previously served as COO and
vice president of analytics engineering,
where she played an instrumental role in
executing the company’s vision to fuel
the digital transformation of the process
industries.
seeq.com
LEE XIONG
ACS GROUP
NEW BERLIN, Wis. – ACS Group (Sterlco
Steam Control Products) has promoted Lee
Xiong to the position of steam application
engineering manager. Reporting to Brad
Fax, business unit manager, he will be
responsible for overseeing the eEngineering
team. Xiong’s focus will be on product
enhancement, new product development
and value analysis/value engineering (VA/
VE) related projects to drive improvement
in the steam segment of ACS’s business.
Xiong has seven years of experience
in the steam specialty industry. His most
recent role was at Federal ProMach as
a mechanical engineer. In this role, he
designed parts and assemblies for liquid
filling and capping machine equipment.
acscorporate.com
Check 104 on index.
NEWS

TRADE SHOW PREVIEW

The AHR Expo provides a forum Upcoming Events

AHR Expo where manufacturers of all sizes and
specialties share ideas and showcase IPP Expo
Jan. 31- the future of heating, ventilation,
air conditioning and refrigeration
Jan. 25-27, 2022
Georgia World Congress Center
Feb. 2 (HVACR) technology. Since 1930,
the AHR Expo has remained a top
Atlanta, Georgia
ippexpo.org
industry’s event for OEMs, engineers,
Las Vegas contractors, technicians, facility PowerGen International
Convention Center operators, architects, educators Jan. 26-28, 2022
and other industry professionals to
Las Vegas, Nevada explore trends and applications and
Kay Bailey Hutchison Conv. Center
Dallas, Texas
to cultivate business relationships. powergen.com
The event is co-sponsored by the
Exhibition Hours
American Society of Heating, AHR Expo
Monday, Jan. 31 Refrigerating, Air-Conditioning Jan. 31-Feb. 2, 2022
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Engineers (ASHRAE) and Air- Las Vegas Convention Center
Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuesday, Feb. 1
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Institute (AHRI) and is held ahrexpo.com
concurrently with ASHRAE’s winter
Wednesday, Feb. 2 conference. For more information, ACHEMA
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. visit ahrexpo.com. April 4-8, 2022
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Frankfurt, Germany
achema.de/en

OTC
May 2-5, 2022
IPPE is the world’s largest annual
NRG Park
IPP Expo display of technology, equipment,
supplies and services used in the
Houston, Texas
2022.otcnet.org
Jan. 25-27 production and processing of eggs,
meat and poultry and those involved
Georgia World in feed manufacturing.
IPPE will welcome a global
Congress Center audience of meat, poultry and
Mergers & Acquisitions
Atlanta, Georgia animal food professionals in Atlanta,
Georgia, while showcasing the newest
solutions, technologies, research, Trelleborg Acquires VB Seals
processes, services and products that Nov. 12, 2021
Exhibition Hours
the global animal food and protein
Tuesday, Jan. 25 Revalize Acquires PROCAD Group,
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. industries have to offer. Specpage & Tenado
All segments of the industry are Nov. 17, 2021
Wednesday, Jan. 26 represented: feed milling, hatchery,
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. live production, processing, further SJE Acquires Ohio Electric
processing, marketing and all support Control
Thursday, Jan. 27 activities. For more information, visit Dec. 1, 2021
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. ippexpo.org.

8 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022

 Smooth contours
reduce catch points
and contamination

Advanced sealing
allows for high
pressure cleaning

—
When your food needs to be safe
So do your motors

In the dry and wet areas of a food processing plant, standard and traditional
washdown motors are sufficient. But in the food zone, where equipment
comes in direct contact with food, your equipment must withstand high
pressure, sanitary cleaning methods. Using the wrong equipment in the food
zone can lead to bacterial growth, inspection failures, fines and downtime.

Baldor-Reliance® Food Safe motors were designed with the food zone in mind.
To keep you, and your food, safe.

479-646-4711
Check 101 on index.
baldor.abb.com
 COMMON PUMPING MISTAKES
Casing vs. Impeller
JIM ELSEY | Summit Pump Inc.
Like the flashy movie star in a Hollywood
film, the pump impeller gets all of the
media coverage, glitz and glamour.
Everyone remembers who starred in the
movie but, with few exceptions, no one
remembers or ever knew the sidekick,
the gaffer, the grip or the best boy. As
an example, look up Tracey Walter, who
appeared in 87 movies and 39 TV shows,
and next search for John Higgins, who is
one of the best gaffers in the industry. I
guarantee you have seen at least one of his
movies. Did you know Tracey or John prior
to this column?
Without the support of the crew, the
movie star is just another person on the
street, and without the casing, the impeller
is just a shiny piece of rotating metal.
Further, like a great movie, the impeller and
casing must be matched to each other or
the results will be a disaster.
Casings—like people—come in all
shapes and sizes and are designed for
different and specific purposes. One
casing design will have the centerline
offset (noncongruent) from the impeller
centerline to form an ever-increasing
Single Stage
Volute Style
Offset
Single / Double Throat
Tangential Discharge Single Volute
Volute Shape
is in essence
A divergent cone..
Annulus (opening)
Opening progresses
small to large
Illustration 1 hand drawn by author
Centerline Discharge Single Volute
IMAGE 1: Examples of single-stage, volute style, offset single and double (Images courtesy of the author)
10 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
Without the support of the crew, the movie
star is just another person on the street,
and without the casing, the impeller is just a
shiny piece of rotating metal.
annulus (chamber) that is, in essence, a
divergent nozzle similar to an Archimedean
spiral. Or you can also imagine it as a large
horn (think French horn or trumpet) that is
wrapped in a circular shape.
The reason for the offset centerline is
so the pump will be more efficient. The
downside of the design is that the radial
thrust will increase exponentially as
operation departs from the best efficiency
point (BEP). Other casing designs will have
their centerline congruent with the
impeller (concentric). While that pump is
less efficient, the radial thrust will be
much lower, and the reliability will be
much higher even at operating points far
from BEP.
In all 4 cases:
Note space between
the casing and impeller
is ever increasing…
As a divergent nozzle
Tangential Discharge Dual Volute
Cutwater
Unwrap the
circular shape
of the volute to
see a divergent
shape
Centerline Discharge Dual Volute
Some casings have tangential discharge
nozzles and others are orientated to the
centerline. Tangential casings are easier
to design and cast. They also offer less
wear when handling solids and slurries.
The centerline nozzle will be self-venting
and, dependent on specific speed and good
design, may be more efficient.
So far, I have only used the
nomenclature casing, but there are other
names used in the industry. Some are
specific and some are more general—many
are misused. Casings may have other
descriptors such as tubular or elbow. Other
common names may be volute, scroll,
snail (snail shell) or diffuser. Under the
umbrella of volute, you will see further
descriptions such as single, double and
sometimes triple. I have read about quad
volutes utilized in nuclear primary coolant
service but have yet to see one in service.
There are also combined volutes, vortex
volutes, low flow-high head volutes and
self-priming volutes.
A casing with guide or stay vanes is
typically known as a diffuser casing but
you can also have vaneless diffusers.
Normally the diffuser is cast as a separate
piece from the casing. On high pressure
multistage pumps, the casing may be
referred to as the barrel. And what is a
multistage pump other than numerous
pumps placed in series conveniently
incorporated into one casing?
 IMAGE 2: Change in pump performance and best efficiency point shown after volute shape is changed.
What Is the Purpose of the Volute?
The typical volute consists of a spiral
collector and a vaneless diffuser (throat).
Look at a small (OH-1) ANSI B73.1 or
ISO 5199 pump casing to visualize.
Many people in the pump world will
answer the question by stating that the
volute is the device that converts the
high velocity of the liquid (imparted by
the impeller) to pressure energy (head),
and they would be correct. Let me add
that if the pump was not connected to
piping (piping that exhibits some amount
of friction resistance), the pump would
develop flow but not develop
pressure/head.
Maybe it is more important to know
that, in real-world applications where
discharge piping is connected to the pump,
the volute works to keep the liquid velocity
constant for the full 360 degrees around
the circumference of the impeller (well
at least near the BEP). The idea and the
goal are that at BEP the pressure gradient
surrounding the impeller will be uniform.
By the way, the purpose of a diffusor is to
simply convert the velocity to pressure,
which is what happens in the volute/casing
when the pump is operated away from BEP.
That is, the volute acts like a volute near
BEP but acts like a diffuser when you move
far left or right on the curve.
For pumps operating right or left of the
BEP design point, the effect of the resultant
radial force is the same on either side but
the direction is opposite. For a single volute
casing and a medium to low specific speed
impeller, the resultant radial thrust for a
pump operating to the left (near shutoff)
would manifest at 240 degrees from the
volute cutwater (aka flow divider, splitter
or tongue). For the same pump that is
operating at the far right of the curve near
or approaching runout, the resultant radial
force would manifest at 60 degrees from
the cutwater.
Note there are forces with radial
components acting all the way around the
impeller, but when you work the geometry
(vector analysis), it is the resultant of all the
forces we are concerned about. By using a
concentric casing where the centerline of
the impeller and the casing are congruent,
the magnitude of the aforementioned radial
forces would be significantly less.
You can also state that the purpose
of the casing/volute is to both direct and
contain the liquid flow. It is a connection
point for the suction and discharge
piping. A joke I make with pipefitters and
millwrights is that the pump casing is an
anchor point for the piping. Note that this
is a joke, as a pump would be the most
expensive pipe anchor point you ever
purchased. You should never support the
weight of the pipe and contents onto the
casing. Not to be confused with nozzle
loading allowable forces and moments.
Perhaps a subject for a future column?
Who Is Doing the Work?
Regarding the division of labor issue, a
common axiom is that the impeller does
all of the real work and the casing works
solely to minimize the losses. For today’s
purposes let’s assume that is 100% true.
It is, however, wrong to conclude that the
two components operate independently of
each other.
Subsequently, it may be a better
perspective to revise the current thinking
and see that the casing can make all the
difference in how efficiently the impeller
does its work. A bad casing design can
make an impeller inefficient. In the
early days of centrifugal pumps (1850s),
Henry Bessemer designed a pump
casing that yielded 16% efficiency; yet,
during the same era with a similar impeller,
John Appold designed a casing that was
68% efficient.
Casing Design (Conservation of
Angular Momentum)
A given casing design has a theoretical
head to flow rate relationship that may look
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 11
COMMON PUMPING MISTAKES
IMAGE 3: Multiplication factor for radial force
a little like a theoretical pump curve except
the head rises from zero with increased
flow rates. The impeller has a similar flow
to head relationship curve but the head is
maximum at no flow and decreases with
increased flow rates.
The pump BEP is normally where
these two “curves” intersect (in theory,
these look more like straight lines than
curves). Designing the impeller and casing
to match each other will result in the most
efficient and reliable pump. Of course, the
volute inlet area has to be large enough
to allow the flow required by the pump
impeller. The important part is that the
liquid velocity is evenly distributed around
the periphery of the impeller eye (think
equal loading).
Once the liquid has left the impeller
and is exiting the pump, the casing design
criteria becomes much more critical. Like
most pumps, the casing design point is
based on the BEP flow rate with diminishing
concern for flows that depart from BEP.
The alternative is to design a pump for
small increments of flow change, which
translates into hundreds of different
sizes for the same model. The business
and commercial world does not support
that position.
To make the impeller and volute
work well together, we need to look at
the ratio of the impeller outlet area and
compare that to the area of the volute
throat. Additionally, the impeller outlet
12 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
velocity must be compatible to the mean
velocity in the volute throat.
Keep in mind that the velocity of the
liquid leaving the impeller is swirling—aka
whirl velocity (angular momentum). The
flow exits the impeller with a spiral path;
the circumferential components of the
velocity are related to the head developed,
while the meridional component is
related to the flow rate. If all the pictures/
illustrations you see of pump cross-
sectionals are two-dimensional, you may
miss this point.
Previously you may have thought the
pump’s specific speed was solely a
function of the ratio of the impeller’s width
to the diameter and, to a lesser degree, the
angle change for the liquid as it enters
and exits the impeller, but there is more.
These ratios of area and velocity indicate
the pump’s specific speed is also a
function of the ratio between the square
root of the volute throat area and the
impeller diameter.
So, specific speed isn’t purely a
function of the impeller; it is also partially
a function of the casing design. At low
specific speeds (400), the ratio is at its
highest, but as you increase (move up) the
specific speed scale to around 2,800 the
ratio diminishes.
For engineers and technicians that
want more detail, foundation equations
and derivation on this subject, please see
the references.
Cutwater/Flow Divider/Splitter
The placement of the cutwater, length,
thickness and angle in relation to flow and
the profile of the leading edge will all have
an important role in the casing efficiency
and overall pump performance. I will
discuss this topic in a future column.
Hopefully you have a higher appreciation
and better understanding for the role of the
casing (volute) after reading this column.
Every time you leave the casing in the
piping while you are working on the “back
pull out,” not inspecting for or measuring
wear in the casing or simply leaving the
casing on the shop floor until “we get the
impeller fixed,” know that even the best
impeller really can’t do a good job without
help from the casing. Well, unless the
impeller is maybe Clint Eastwood.
References
1. Centrifugal Pumps, Johann Friedrich Gülich
2. Centrifugal and Axial Flow Pumps, Alexey
Joakim Stepanoff
3. Centrifugal Pumps Design and Application,
Val S. Lobanoff and Robert R. Ross
Jim Elsey is a mechanical engineer with more
than 50 years of experience in rotating equipment
for industrial and marine applications around the
world. He is a pump consultant for Summit Pump
Inc., an active member of the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers and the Naval Submarine
League. Elsey is also the principal of MadDDog
Pump Consultants LLC. Elsey may be reached at
jim@summitpump.com.
 E
17 Experts on Industry
O F TH
E
STATD U STRY Trends, Supply Chain & More
IN
2022 Here’s what pump professionals have on their minds as we
head into 2022.

PUMPS & SYSTEMS STAFF

1 How have price increases of products

or materials impacted your company?
Supplier price increases remain at
unprecedented levels in terms of both frequency
and volume. When coupled with supply chain
disruptions and the related degradation of
lead times, the overall volatility is our biggest
With rising commodity, labor and freight costs, we have seen
ongoing challenge. We expect supply chain
significant cost increases. While we do our best to shield our
issues to persist throughout 2022 and beyond.
customers from this impact, we have passed on some of this
increase to our customers. Christopher S. Brown
President, Geiger Pump & Equipment Company
Brian Sweeney
President, Crane Pumps & Systems

We have seen a varying array of increases depending on the commodity.

Cost in increases from raw materials, tariffs and
Metal commodities such as copper, aluminum, nickel and associated alloys
logistics adversely impacted our customers by
all continue to experience significant fluctuations. The biggest surprise has
extending existing deliveries and our ability to
and continues to be freight and the associated logistical challenges and cost
quote lead times.
increases with receiving and shipping material. We have implemented price
increases on selective equipment to offset some of these costs while not Steve Everton
creating unnecessary headwinds for our customers. President, Pioneer Pump (Franklin Electric)

John Wilson
President, Industrial Flow Solutions
Price increases have had a
tremendous impact on our
company. Our costs on raw
materials have gone up on
average 7% to 8%. In some cases,
we’ve seen prices temporarily
surge 75% to 100% due to
extreme supply shortages. As
manufacturers, we want to build
products for our customers, so we
must pay elevated raw material
prices. The price increases are
rapid and unpredictable, forcing
manufacturers to absorb the higher
costs. I expect price increases in
our industry to be higher than
normal for the new year.
Pricing is one challenge. Increases in raw material costs due to
Material availability and the economic inflation coupled with resurgent
ability to physically ship demand and supply constraints, from global
products is another challenging supply chain issues, have posed a significant
dimension, as well as the challenge to not only our business but the
climbing costs of logistics. We entire industry. Unfortunately, material cost
have been somewhat buffered increases aren’t the only factor impacting the
due to carrying inventory; cost of goods. Labor shortages have created a
however, that only gives competitive job market, creating further cost
protection for a period of time. pressure. We are addressing these issues the
best we can and responding accordingly.
John Long
Executive Vice President, Product Mick Corrie
Line and Operations, John Crane Vice President and General Manager, Inpro/Seal
We are in the same situation as everyone. With logistics bottlenecks causing much
of the problems, material delivery availability and costs have affected our production
capabilities. We continue to source from different vendors and do everything in our control
to get our solutions to our customers as timely and cost effectively as possible.

Rob Gledhill Chris Wilder

CEO, Blue-White Co-owner & CEO, SEPCO

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 13
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2022
2 What industry trends are you seeing
going into 2022?
The pandemic significantly impacted companies’ ability to perform
measurement, monitoring and maintenance activities on-site. This drove
accelerated adoption of remote and cloud-based alternatives, minimizing
the need for employees on-site. We expect this adoption to continue to
accelerate, driving demand for condition monitoring solutions.
Aaron Merkin
Chief Technology Officer, Fluke Reliability
We expect the migration to renewable energy sources to be a big trend
in 2022. The accelerated focus on reducing carbon footprints will push
all companies to add to their sustainability initiatives. We plan to add
solar panels to the rooftop of our manufacturing facility and generate
more than 50% of our energy demand from the sun.
Chris Wilder
Co-owner & CEO, SEPCO
Coming off COP26 [2021 United Nations Climate Change
Conference], 100-plus countries have signed a first-of-its-kind
pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% between now and 2030.
The signatories represent 70% of the global economy, including six
of the world’s top 10 methane polluters. Many countries have
backed the pledge with new emissions policies, so we see the
regulatory landscape heating up headed into next year. The U.S. has
already released a suite of tougher oil, gas and pipeline regulations
that would prevent tens of million tons from being released,
at minimal cost to producers. The EPA predicts they’ll cut methane
emissions from the energy sector by 75%. Even countries that have
not joined the pledge are paying attention. China announced a joint
agreement with the U.S. to “enhance ambition” on climate change,
saying they would work together to do more to cut emissions this
decade while China committed for the first time to reduce methane.
At the same time, investors are recognizing the urgency of climate
change and the need for sustainable investing, with 88% of global
investors rating the environment as the No. 1 priority across all
sustainability issues (according to BlackRock). Environmental, social
and governance-related factors that can influence future returns are
increasingly driving investments. Exchange-traded funds, or ETFs,
which are a widely available vehicle to help investors transition to
new products with climate considerations, have increased inflow 63
times over the past five years. Midway through 2021, sustainable
investments already accounted for $35.3 trillion, or more than a
third of global assets in five of the world’s biggest markets with no
slow down in sight. In fact, we expect this momentum to further
accelerate into 2022 as a growing consensus on the need to address
climate risk has been highlighted over the past year by devastating
wildfires, flooding and deadly storms.
Amy Simpson
Executive Vice President, Energy Transition, John Crane
14 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
The thing that excites me the most is the opportunity
around digital to influence and become a real
difference-maker in the industry. Generally speaking,
industrials have made it a bit challenging to
understand the value of digital, and I think we’re
getting a better sense of how to talk to customers about
the outcomes that digital can provide, especially when
you complement them with hardware. And when I say
outcomes, I mean whatever outcome that municipality
or utility desires around efficiency, reliability,
lower capex—whatever is important to them—and
speaking to them in a language they can understand
and translate. There are real solutions out there that
either do improve reliability and efficiency or reduce
nonrevenue water or any manner of outcomes. We have
those capabilities today and we continue to build out
our portfolio of digital solutions.
Joe Johnston
Vice President, Water Infrastructure
North America, Xylem
I expect that we will see supply chain and logistical challenges
for the next 12 to 24 months. ESG-related [environmental,
social and governance] programs will continue to receive
a higher level of focus and funding. There is a great deal of
excitement around the infrastructure bill and what that means
for new construction and upgrade activities. Whether or not
this occurs remains to be seen.
John Wilson
President, Industrial Flow Solutions
Mergers and acquisitions at both the manufacturer and local
distributor level remain a top story. Strong valuations fueled
by equity interest in exposure to our general industrial
market footprints, coupled with generational turnover
at some of the largest and most successful industrial
distributors has resulted in a flurry of acquisitions and
ownership turnover. As we move into 2022, we expect
notable and impactful changes to continue.
Christopher S. Brown
President, Geiger Pump & Equipment Company
At Load Controls, we are seeing the expanded importance of
pump distribution partners in the industry. Having a network
of partners who are local, knowledgeable and trusted was key
to moving through the pandemic and seems sure to increase
going forward. To support this trend, we’re shifting more of our
training, marketing and sales budget to support our partners.
Michael McClurg
Associate, Load Controls
3 What issues have you seen with material
shortages or supply chain issues?
Companies need to be creative when
dealing with material shortages and supply
chain delays. In one case, our vendor
notified us that our order of motor bobbins
Initially, supply chain was impacted by COVID and deliveries by sea freight could take was stuck in a container ship outside the
six to seven weeks versus three to four weeks normally. The situation improved toward port of Long Beach, [California]. Lead times
the end of 2020 and into early 2021. But now, with the harbor issues everywhere, we are for the motor bobbin usually is three to four
back into that very long time for sea freight. Also, with more travelers on the airlines and weeks. Our vendor informed us that it could
also more companies switching to air freight due to poor sea freight, normally one to take over six months to receive our delivery.
two weeks is now three to five weeks by air. We decided to make our motor bobbins
in-house to meet customer demands. Our
Todd Loudin It feels like the phrase of 2021 has
Head of Neles USA Inc. Maryland Flowrox Business, team quickly made tooling and began
been “it’s on a boat somewhere!”
Head of Sales & Service North & South America manufacturing motor bobbins. The best
We’ve had to adjust to our
Mining & Metals Flowrox Business part is our customers never even noticed
customary suppliers having
a difference in lead time for the pumps
issues getting many of the parts
they ordered. This is one example of many
Logistics is the single largest global impact we need for our controls. Part of
similar situations. I believe the “make it
today and it has significance on both sides of the adjustment has been seeking
yourself” mindset has worked to our benefit
the product value chain. From vendor delays out additional suppliers, many of
during these times. I am proud of how
to customer challenges in getting goods on whom have smaller quantities at
resilient our team is. Manufacturers need
the sea, planning your business has never much higher prices. Fortunately,
to think differently about how to handle
been more important and your ability to we’ve been able to meet our
long lead times and shortages of goods. As
optimize plans has never been more tested customers’ demands so far, but it
the saying goes, necessity is the mother of
and on display. has been a wild year.
invention!
Tamara Morytko Michael McClurg
President, Flowserve, Pumps Division Associate, Load Controls Rob Gledhill
CEO, Blue-White

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PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 15
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2022

QUESTION #3 We have seen material shortages [The now approved] infrastructure

CONTINUED:
and logistical challenges through investment of $55 billion for WWW [water/
our entire supply chain on a wastewater] has the potential to truly
daily basis. We expect those change the industry. Supply chain issues
Almost every material/commodity from challenges to continue well into pose a threat to future infrastructure
steel, casting, elastomers, engines, paints, 2022 but eventually forces of projects, just like the challenges we
motors, bearing[s], to name a few, have supply and demand will prevail are facing on current projects. Many
had numerous price increases, and delays sometime in late 2022. manufacturers recognize this, making
in shipment are as high as 44 weeks.
Steve Everton investments in local manufacturing—
Tony Chirico President, Pioneer Pump whether to increase capacity in existing
National Sales Manager, Gorman-Rupp (Franklin Electric) factories or to build new facilities.
Schneider Electric, for example, recently
announced plans to invest more than
In the case of material issues, we have been forced to procure larger quantities of $100 million to increase regional capacity,
specific materials to reduce lead times as well as overall availability of materials. including plans to open three new
Supply chain issues have created a deeper look into more refined scheduling. As manufacturing plants in North America.
well, a broader reach of multiple suppliers for various products.
Ujwal Sareen
Taylor Smith Business Development Manager for the Pump
Operations Manager, Vaughan Company and Compressor Segment, Schneider Electric

4 What needs to happen in regards to

industry improvements?
In the short run, the industry needs to get our
supply train back on track. Predictable and
reasonable equipment availability—even for the
most basic commodity items—remains elusive
Advancing global cybersecurity standards and efficiency calculations will and is to the detriment of our customers and
help drive the industry forward. Clear guidelines and expectations around the economy at large. While not unique to our
cybersecurity, particularly for industrial sites. Industrial fieldbus is applied industry, these challenges are felt acutely as
differently than residential or commercial applications, so a one-size-fits-all pumps and related equipment are so central to
approach does not always make sense. Efficiency calculations and standards that many customers’ operations. In the longer term,
reflect the contribution or performance of each component in a pump system, so the industry needs to continue and improve its
customers can pick and choose the optimum combination for their application. leverage of IIoT [industrial internet of things] and
similar technologies to improve both reliability
Charles Tahara
Marketing Director, Industrial and efficiency of operations.
We have seen strong innovation
Control Division, Eaton
in recent years as digitization and Christopher S. Brown
connected products have changed President, Geiger Pump & Equipment Company
the way pumps and machines
operate and the data operators
can gain from their operations. Most critical for Inpro/Seal has been the attraction and retention of manufacturing
As we look to continue improving workers. Even before the labor market contracted in 2020, it was difficult finding
those operations—both for uptime skilled labor to work in the manufacturing process. We need to come together as
and energy efficiency—we need an industry to bring excitement to the manufacturing industry so that talented
to embrace new platforms, like individuals will not only want to work in manufacturing but see a career path to
universal automation. By moving support themselves and their families.
past limitations, like vendor lock-in Mick Corrie
and integration costs, we are able Vice President and General Manager, Inpro/Seal
to gain access to new technology
and integrate it into our existing The largest need affecting every area is employment. We are in need of workers.
operations faster and easier while Employment has slowed the off-loading of cargo ships, affected truckers,
still managing the bottom line. locations at terminals are at capacity, shortages upon receipt, quality and the
Ujwal Sareen escalation of pricing.
Business Development Manager for
Tony Chirico
the Pump and Compressor Segment,
National Sales Manager, Gorman-Rupp
Schneider Electric

16 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022

5 What keeps you up at night?
The supply chain train is trying to get out of the station from the
pandemic but it’s struggling. We’re in constant communication with
The health and well-being of our employees
keeps me up at night. People have been asked
to engage in new ways, deliver at a faster pace
and redefine success in pivotal ways like never
our suppliers so that we make sure we don’t get a call overnight that
before. The pandemic has taken an emotional
says there’s a problem. We want to work with them. And same thing for
and mental toll on everyone and each person’s
us with our customers. It’s always better to know “I’m going to have
“reality” is different and equally important to
a problem” than “the problem is already here” or “oh, by the way, it
value and embrace. We ask more and more of
was last week.” I think [the supply chain is] going to be a problem that
our employees and are driving company cultures
stays with us for some time.
from afar more than ever. The pure mental
Joe Johnston gymnastics that everyone must play to be seen,
Vice President, Water Infrastructure Getting the right talent in the
right position to succeed heard and impactful can be exhausting. We
North America, Xylem
and thrive throughout the continue to raise the bar on our employee check-
organization. Creating a culture ins, open discussions and collective involvement
Retention of our precious talent where passion, purpose and on the pathways forward and how it is impacting
combined with the ability to attract persistence around a common each person, their role and their ability to feel
new and capable talent. set of objectives sets the tone connected and contributing in a valuable way. Is
every day. Getting this right it enough? Is there another way to engage? How
John Wilson
attracts talent that makes long can this constant cycle of change go on and
President, Industrial Flow Solutions
navigating a global pandemic how can we keep our people energized, refreshed
and the related supply chain and actively engaged with their hearts and
The thought of industry innovation
environment look more like an minds? Time will tell but until then the nights
slowing down due to distractions
opportunity than an obstacle. will continue to be restless for leaders who care
caused by the current supply
for their people.
chain challenges.
Steve Everton
President, Pioneer Pump Tamara Morytko
Rob Gledhill President, Flowserve, Pumps Division
CEO, Blue-White (Franklin Electric)

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 E
How M&A Activity Impacted
O F TH
E
STATD U STRY the Pumps Industry in 2021
IN
2022 Mergers and acquisitions expert explores what’s ahead for
pump companies in 2022.

THOMAS HAAN | Global Equity Consulting

The mergers and acquisitions (M&A)

activity in general, and specifically in the
fluid handling industry, were at record
levels in 2021, and 2022 is expected to be
an active year. Valuations were at strong
levels in 2021, but there could be some
compression in 2022.
In Images 1 and 2, the line graphs
indicate the number of completed
transactions in a given period. The dots
above Q4 2020 and Q1, Q2 and Q3 2021
indicate PitchBook’s estimated number of
completed transactions after the actual
data for those periods is available.
IMAGE 1: North American M&A activity 2016 through Q3 2021 (Image courtesy of PitchBook)
The number of transactions is a better
barometer of M&A activity since the
total value of transactions is impacted
by multiple factors related to the mix
of activity such as industries, deal size
and difference in valuations between
the periods. Focusing on the number of
transactions, M&A activity slowed in 2020
particularly in Q2 and Q3 in North America
before turning up in Q4 2020. The high level
of activity continued through 2021.
Multiple factors are driving the current
high level of M&A activity, and many of
those factors will likely continue to drive a
high level of M&A activity in 2022. On the
demand side, many strategic buyers are IMAGE 2: European M&A activity 2016 through Q3 2021 (Image courtesy of PitchBook)

looking to take advantage of the current

low cost of debt and a high level of liquidity
to pursue various objectives including
growth opportunities, vertical integration,
realignment of their portfolios, expansion
of technology, and response to evolving
customer needs and wants. Private equity
buyers are driven to put record amounts
of capital to work, so they are looking for
new platform business as well as add-
ons to existing platforms. On the supply
side, some strategic sellers are looking to
take advantage of the strong valuation
environment to realign their portfolios.
Private equity and private business
owners are taking advantage of the strong
valuations to exit—or in some cases to
go public. Certainly, the potential change
in capital gains tax levels is an additional
motivation, particularly for private
business owners.
Valuations Remain at High Levels
These multiples tend to be skewed toward
the high end because the financial terms
for smaller and private transactions are
frequently not disclosed so the database
tends to be larger, public transactions.
However, the trend is indicative of the
market situation: Valuations dipped
substantially following the 2008 financial
crisis, bounced back and remained fairly

18 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022


consistent from 2010 to 2014 before
stepping up in 2016 and remaining at that
relatively high level from 2016 to 2021 (Q3).
A different look at valuation from GF
Data shows multiples for private equity
transactions. These are smaller-company,
private transactions, and the multiples are
substantially lower than the larger public
company value multiples, but the trend
is consistent: The M&A market remains a
seller’s market as demonstrated by strong
valuation multiples over the last five years,
especially in the larger segments.
There is also a quality premium for
companies with at least 10% per year sales
growth and 10% earnings before interest,
tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)
margin. In addition to the strong multiples,
buyers have been rewarding companies
with above-average characteristics with an
increasing quality premium.
The valuation of any business is specific
to a seller and a buyer, but there are
fundamental factors that have a significant
impact on valuations including:
• market demand for a specific acquisition
• potential synergies
• outlook for growth
• cost of capital
It does appear the demand for quality
acquisitions is not likely to subside in
the near term. However, should the
outlook for growth and/or the cost of
capital be negatively impacted by inflation,
supply constraints or other factors,
there could be compression in valuation
multiples—the timing of any compression
in multiples would depend on when and
to what degree those negative factors
become significant.
M&A Activity at Record Levels
2021 was the most active year for M&A
activity in the fluid handling industry in
the last five years. In fact, it was the most
active year in the past 10 years. The factors
Fluid Handling Industry Transaction Activity
2017 2018
54 67
IMAGE 4: Fluid handling industry M&A activity 2017-2021 (Image courtesy of Global Equity Consulting)
Fluid Handling Industry Targeted End-Use Markets
End-Use Market
Diversified (serves multiple end-use markets)
Water
Hygienic (food and beverage, pharma, etc.)
Oil & Gas
Other (single market focus not otherwise classified)
Total
*Q3 2021
IMAGE 3: Most targeted end-use markets. (Image courtesy of Global Equity Consulting)
driving this level of activity are the same
as those driving the general M&A market
activity, namely:
• growth opportunities: additional
geography, expanding addressable
market, etc.
• expanding technology: addressing
evolving market needs and wants,
e.g., asset monitoring, predictive
maintenance
• integrating channels: mostly
forward integration of distribution
and service partners
• realigning portfolios (strategics)
• need to put capital to work
(private equity)
• monetizing value creation (private
equity and private business owners)
• retirement (private business owners)
However, while the activity level is
strong, it is also rather concentrated in that
14 companies accounted for 65% of the
activity in 2021 (through Q3 2021).
Water Most Targeted
End-Use Market
Water has been the most targeted end-use
market over the last few years, replacing
oil and gas. Hygienic is showing up for
2019 2020 2021 (estimated)
71 69 97
Number of Percentage
Transactions*
37 49%
20 26%
6 8%
3 4%
10 13%
76 100%
the first time with enough transactions
to be a stand-alone category—this
appears to be a trend.
Thoughts About 2022 M&A
The factors mentioned earlier in the
article that have been driving the
demand for quality acquisitions in the
industry in recent years are not likely to
change significantly in 2022, barring a
disruption such as experienced with the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Likewise, the factors motivating
potential sellers are also not foreseen to
change significantly in 2022, with the
possible exception that the uncertainty
around the potential change in the United
States capital gains tax could be clarified.
There is also potential for compression in
valuation multiples should the outlook
for economic growth and interest rates
become material headwinds in the U.S.
and/or Europe.
Not all transactions are highly
competitive and there are excellent
opportunities for companies to grow
through acquisition. However, chances
are it will take a purposeful outreach
program to identify those opportunities
and build the relationships that lead to
those opportunities.
Thomas Haan is an operating director with
investment banking firm City Capital Advisors and
principal of Global Equity Consulting. He can be
reached at thaan@globalequityconsulting.net or
269-547-0434. For more information, visit
city-cap.com or globalequityconsulting.net.
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 19
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2022
E
O F TH
E
STATD U STRY
IN
2022
Impellers and casings. You can’t make a
pump without them, right?
Hopefully, pump manufacturers
won’t have to face that challenge as the
requirements become stricter for Made in
America components for projects funded
with federal dollars.
In July, the Biden administration
announced it would take the domestic
content threshold from 55% to 60%, with
a phased increase to 75% by 2029. Thus,
the value of the U.S. component parts used
in any federally funded project must be
at 60% today. Then the Build America,
Buy America section of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act introduced strong
language on forced localization, including
eliminating the American iron and steel
exemptions for pumps under Environmental
Protection Agency/U.S. Department of
Agriculture (EPA/USDA) revolving funds.
The issue is, as Michael Michaud,
executive director of the Hydraulic
Institute, explained recently, the vast
majority of clean water centrifugal pumps
are made with casings and impellers that
are forged overseas. Even if the pumps
themselves and additional components are
engineered or manufactured in America,
pump manufacturers are reliant on
international supply chains.
Long ago, North American-based pump
manufacturers had to offshore items like
casings and impellers due to costs, access
to raw materials, and because the work is
not environmentally friendly so it was more
difficult to do in the U.S., Michaud said.
“Biden’s Executive Order raised the
requirement for U.S. components and is
being integrated into new legislation that
focuses on federal spending,” Michaud said.
20 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
What Does Buy American
Mean for the Pump Industry?
The Hydraulic Institute is working to ensure current waivers
and exemptions remain in place.
JENNIFER KING | Pumps & Systems
In the past, projects funded with
federal dollars—including federally
financed water or wastewater projects—
allowed exemptions or waivers. Water
and wastewater project exemptions were
created in the 2009 American Iron and
Steel Act, which applies to projects funded
by the EPA. If a project receives even a
small fraction of federal funding through
the State Revolving Fund (SRF) or other
federal financing mechanisms, the content
restrictions can apply to the whole project.
Now, however, those waivers are being
tightened under the Biden administration’s
new directive, spending bills and
coordinated under the newly formed Made
in America office.
“The reality is that we live in a global
economy, so we need to strike a balance
with this strict Buy American language and
what we need to do to invest in improving
our critical infrastructure,” said Hydraulic
Institute Vice President of Governmental
Affairs Mark Chaffee.
Chaffee recently met with the U.S.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and
Celeste Drake, the director of the Made in
America office.
“The current component test for Buy
American is strictly the percentage of
foreign material based on price. There’s
no consideration for value added by the
American workers,” said Chaffee, who is
also vice president of governmental affairs
and C&I product management for Taco
Comfort Solutions. “From Taco’s standpoint,
we’re determined to protect and grow the
over 500 manufacturing jobs we have in
the U.S. However, to keep those jobs we
have no choice but to source globally. We
believe there should be some consideration
to the value added by the American
worker, and there’s not. That’s probably the
biggest ask—for a change in the way the
component test is calculated. We believe it
benefits us all.”
The recently approved $1.2 trillion
infrastructure investment will drive billions
of dollars to fund water and wastewater
projects, Michaud said. However, if pumps,
which are made in America but with some
components from overseas, are not allowed
due to the new restrictions, it will limit the
number of projects or cause significant
delays in the project completion. There are
lots of wrench-ready projects that include
installing more energy-efficient pumps.
Delaying or excluding those projects would
also hurt the administration’s climate
change agenda, Michaud added.
The timing factor is critical, as the 60%
threshold went into effect immediately
and the administration is trying to get the
infrastructure money out quickly.
“Long gone is the idea of a vertical, U.S.-
only based supply chain,” Michaud said.
“Most casings and impellers come in from
overseas—they are globally sourced and
completely integrated into the pumping
system once they arrive here in the U.S.”
The Hydraulic Institute is pursuing a
strategy to educate policymakers on the
need for a global supply chain and the
value of maintaining the current waivers
and exemptions that are in place.
“We’re not anti-Buy American,” Michaud
said. “We are American manufacturers with
complex global supply chains.”
Jennifer King is editor of Pumps & Systems
magazine. She may be reached at
jdking@cahabamedia.com.
 E
O F TH
E
STATD U STRY
IN
2022
As another year is coming to an end, the
global economy faces major challenges.
What is clear after nearly two years is
the pandemic and the response to it are
provoking socioeconomic adjustments that
may be felt for years, if not decades. It is
increasingly probable that we are living
through a transitory period in history such
as World War I where what comes after is
markedly different than what came before.
The hope that the adoption and distribution
of the vaccines would allow a quick return
to conditions that existed in 2019 appears
to have been overly optimistic.
One of the major global economic
disruptions is the supply chain crisis. While
there is ample commentary regarding what
has caused it and how to fix it, much of
what is written does not fully appreciate the
complexity of the global logistical system.
As someone who used to manage multiple
air freight shipments in transit involving
multiple companies, I (Chris) can say that
one mistake can cascade through the
system like dominos and create chaos.
Conversations with members of the
European pump industry reveal consistent
themes regarding what is causing the crisis:
1. Suppliers of parts overestimated the
decrease in demand that would be
caused by the pandemic and reduced
productive capacity too much. They
failed to foresee or appreciate the
impact of government income support
to businesses and individuals.
2. Suppliers are struggling to ramp up
capacity to meet current demand.
3. Policy reactions to COVID-19 and
income support to individuals have
reduced the pool of available labor
(especially skilled labor) such as
A Look at the Shifting
Global Trade Paradigm
Economist Chris Angle and pump industry expert Tom Angle
weigh in with a global perspective on supply chain disruptions
and predictions for 2022.
CHRIS ANGLE & TOM ANGLE
truck drivers and port workers.
4. Layoffs and uncertainty led many
workers in Western Europe from Eastern
European countries to return home.
COVID-19 vaccination certification
differences and border crossing rules are
causing many to not return.
5. China reducing production of strategic
materials and/or deliberately reducing
sales to the West is driving up prices.
6. Estimates of time needed to return to
normal are one to three years.
The consensus in the European pump
industry is that, economically, 2021 was
better than 2020, but the outlook for 2022
is troubling for several reasons.
• Order books may be full, but critical
parts with no substitute can’t be
obtained and product can’t go out.
• When an unavailable part can
be substituted, the purchasing,
engineering and administrative effort
can be overwhelming.
• Significant price increases of scarce
commodities are cutting into margins.
• Many energy prices have jumped
significantly in the past few months.
• A feeling of concern exists among
customers and won’t go away quickly.
The supply chain crisis is showing the
limits of the “Just In Time” manufacturing
model as practiced over the last 25 to 30
years. Today, we have a major breakdown
in the global logistics system, which
is causing shortages in stores, rising
transportation costs and contributing to the
inflationary environment. Contacts inside
the freight transportation industry have
indicated that traffic is so snarled that it
will take the better part of another year to
get sorted out—at a bare minimum.
Given the apparently deliberate
withholding of supplies by China,
manufacturers may move to shorten
supply chains and increase flexibility.
The globalization process that has been
in place over the last 60 years will not be
dismantled, but this is likely the beginning
of a reversal and modification.
Finally, despite reassuring words
from several United States policymakers,
inflation seems to be rising and embedding
itself into the system. One impact could
be a deterioration in the value of the U.S.
dollar, thereby making U.S. exports cheaper.
However, other countries reliant on exports
to grow, such as European economies,
are likely to respond by weakening their
own currencies. In addition, inflationary
pressures on the U.S. dollar are contributing
to the increase in oil prices, which will result
in a drag on U.S. economic growth in the
short to medium term.
In conclusion, aside from the financial
crisis of 2007-2009, the global economic
and political system over the last 40 years
has been relatively stable compared to
other historical periods. We have come
to think of this stability as the norm. The
pandemic has made the last year and a half
bumpy, as most paradigm shifts are. 2022
is likely to continue to be bumpy.
Chris Angle is a commercial banker who analyzes
businesses and structuring credit facilities. Angle
earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations
from the University of California-Davis and a master’s
degree in international economics and finance from
Brandeis University.
Tom Angle, P.E., MSC is Geschaeftsleiter (CEO) of
Swiss Flow Solutions GmbH and a Pumps & Systems
Editorial Advisory Board member.
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 21
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 2022
E Industry Associations
E O F TH
STATD U STRY
IN
2022
1 EASA
EASA is the international trade
association representing the
electromechanical repair, service and sales
industry (e.g., pumps, electric motors,
drives, controls, etc.). EASA’s on-point
theme for 2021-22 is RECALIBRATE |
REALIGN | REFOCUS.
Among the association’s many benefits,
members can consult directly on technical
issues with six world-class engineers,
including a pump and vibration specialist.
EASA is offering a variety of in-person
seminars in 2022, including Fundamentals
of Pump Repair, Principles of Medium
and Large AC Motors, Root Cause Failure
Analysis and more. In addition, EASA
continues to offer free webinars to its
members each month, which are available
to nonmembers at a nominal
cost. Visit easa.com/training for this
technical lineup.
The EASA Convention & Solutions Expo
will offer targeted education options. The
Solutions Expo will be held June 26-28 at
America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Pre-convention education on June 25 will
feature four sessions on pump topics. Visit
easa.com/convention for updates.
Among EASA’s initiatives for 2022 will
be a more streamlined way to search the
resources included with membership at
easa.com, making it easier for members
to onboard and train employees. The
association will also introduce additional
information and resources regarding IIoT at
its online emerging technologies portal.
Training is always a major focus for
EASA, and in 2022, the association will
develop short “how-to” videos to help
members train employees.
22 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
Plan for 2022
EASA, FSA, HI, SWPA and the Texas A&M Labs share what
users can look forward to in the year ahead.
2 The Fluid Sealing Association
The Fluid Sealing Association (FSA),
founded in 1933, is an international trade
association of member companies that
are involved in the design, production and
marketing of a wide range of fluid sealing
devices, including mechanical seals,
expansion joints, gaskets and packing.
FSA is focused on current events and
challenges within the industry. It has
been an advocate for methane emission
reduction through improved detection and
technology and will do so going forward as
this topic regains priority in 2022.
The organization is actively working
on both sides of the aisle in Congress
to provide clarity regarding a category
of chemicals known collectively as
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS). Concerns about these
“forever chemicals” and their potential
carcinogenic characteristics have created
tremendous awareness and a desire to
aggressively restrict their use.
While FSA strongly supports the
management of all hazardous chemicals,
not every member in this group is
hazardous. For example, PTFE is a widely
used, nonhazardous member. The unique
properties of PTFE have critical use
throughout the industrial, medical and
aerospace markets as a sealing material,
often being the only viable option in
systems that protect the environment.
FSA will continue to support and provide
fact-based education on this topic in 2022
to better distinguish between hazardous
and nonhazardous members of the PFAS
family to avoid the inadvertent banning of
nonhazardous chemicals that offer critical
capabilities for sealing systems globally.
3 Hydraulic Institute
At the beginning of the pandemic, the
Hydraulic Institute (HI) quickly shifted its
training to virtual offerings. This enabled HI
to continue to serve operators. While HI will
return to some face-to-face training and
events in 2022, it will also continue to offer
virtual courses and webinars and expand its
digital footprint.
Basic Training, once a member service
offering on-demand webinars on pump,
component and system topics, is now
available for any company to share. Think
Netflix but with pumps content. The
Engineering Data Library is a free reference
for everything from pump fundamentals to
system curves to fluid properties to friction
loss calculators. The Energy Efficiency
toolkit has more calculators, databases
and other resources for utilities seeking to
develop more efficiency rebate programs.
The last piece of the puzzle falls into
place in early 2022 and connects all of
these resources. The new pumps.org will
link tools with case studies providing
additional context for the user. All materials
will sit on a training portal for individual
and corporate users. The new pumps.org
will strengthen HI’s online presence, help
share its resources and become the go-to
for critical pump knowledge.
HI will be back to scheduling public
courses and hosting live meetings to bring
the industry together to network, solve
problems, and continue to do the work of
developing standards and mapping training
curricula for the industry. One initiative
the organization is excited about is a joint
project with SWPA where both organizations
will present a two-day, combined training
event June 23-24 in Columbus, Ohio.
 All the talk in the news and Washington
these past few months about the $1.2
trillion infrastructure package has helped
shine a spotlight on water infrastructure.
The industry is a critical, yet hidden,
component of infrastructure.
The younger generation entering the
workforce is concerned about finding a
rewarding and meaningful career. HI will be
working hard to come out from behind the
scenes to be more visible so the industry’s
important contributions are recognized.
Students looking for a career need to know
more about the opportunities that working
with pumping systems offer. They need to
see how the industry is working to solve
some of the world’s biggest challenges
around water and energy.
HI will be focusing on the entire
workforce pipeline—bringing more people
into the industry, providing opportunities to
learn, upskill and grow in the industry, and
develop a rewarding career.
4
The Submersible Wastewater
Pump Association
“In 2021, SWPA successfully expanded
its live training to virtual training in
response to COVID-19 and the industry’s
need for training despite travel
restrictions,” said SWPA Executive Director
Adam Stolberg.
In collaboration with Pumps & Systems,
SWPA University was launched and
included a fall and spring 10-week virtual
classroom. Taught by industry experts and
SWPA members, classes were held for one
hour per week on a host of topics that
included training on both pumping and
controls systems, as well as addressing
today’s industry issues, from managing
major storm events to nonflushable
consumer products and how to
eliminate clogging.
SWPA University also offers an on-
demand program where professionals
can train online on their own timeline.
Participants receive the “Submersible
Pumping Systems Handbook, 4th Edition,”
as well as SWPA’s Start Up and Tuning
Manual. Certificates of completion were
issued by SWPA that allowed participants
to earn up to 10 hours of CEU credits.
“In fulfilling their mission to enhance
the global wastewater environment by
informing, educating and providing
leadership in the design, procurement
and operation of submersible wastewater
pumping systems, SWPA will continue with
a broad-based educational platform in
2022,” Stolberg said.
SWPA University’s spring session will
begin March 1 and will run for 10 weeks. The
fall semester will begin Sept. 6.
SWPA’s Pumping Systems and Controls
Training two-day live program will be
offered April 19-20 in Chicago. “We were
unable to hold our annual training for the
first time in over 25 years due to COVID-19,”
Stolberg said. “I’m getting lots of inquires
about when the SWPA training will be back,
so I’m excited.
“In SWPA’s effort to bring top-level
education and training, as well as timely
and updated programming, to the
wastewater industry, we will expand our
live training program by partnering with
the Hydraulic Institute. SWPA and HI will
hold a joint training event on June 23-24 in
Columbus, Ohio,” Stolberg said.
For information on SWPA training,
meeting schedules or membership
information, please contact Adam Stolberg
at swpaexdir@sbcglobal.net or SWPA’s
website at swpa.org.
5
Texas A&M Turbomachinery
Laboratory Expansion Programs
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment
Station (TEES) Turbomachinery Laboratory
(TL) is entering its 50th year of serving
government and industry through research,
education and workforce development.
The TL mission remains identifying
research areas critical to economic
development, leadership and quality of
life. Educating future leaders is its
primary product as the organization
develops talented students through basic
and applied research programs under
three thematic areas: rotordynamics and
mechanical systems; thermal fluids and
combustion; and computational
modeling and design.
Combustion- and propulsion-related
research has become an emphasis in recent
years within the college of engineering
at Texas A&M and offers to be a dynamic
and growing opportunity for our various
programs within the Turbo Lab. For example,
the college has hired several new faculty
members in these areas.
With strong support from the university,
TL is preparing to break ground for a
new facility dedicated to propulsion
and energetics, adding capabilities for
high-pressure research and testing in
a safe environment, providing unique
infrastructure for existing and new
members of the TL faculty across all three
thematic areas.
While it continues to work closely with
the oil, gas and petrochemical industries,
emerging opportunities in the power, water,
energy, aerospace and space industries will
be addressed through this expansion.
Additionally, it will be expanding its
Turbomachinery Research Consortium,
with 30-plus industry members funding
research in rotordynamics and
mechanical systems. TRC-2 will focus on
the other two thematic areas, thermal
fluids and combustion, and computational
modeling and design, while still
maintaining its core focus in TRC, now
approaching its 40th year.
Workforce development programs that
include the venerable Turbomachinery
and Pump Symposia (annually in Houston,
Texas) and the Asia Turbomachinery and
Pump Symposium (biennially in Kuala
Lumpur starting May 2022) continue on
the path for growth. Developing multiday
short courses for professional continuing
education also is an expansion area for TL.
In short, the Turbo Lab will continue
to maintain and expand its core activities
in rotating equipment systems while
growing its reach into other industries that
are important for future growth and
synergy with a number of efforts
across campus.
The main product of all of these
activities will always be “Engineers Ready
to Work” as we educate the future workforce
and continue to provide important
programs for the current workforce.
Get More Info
Read more State of
the Industry coverage:
pumpsandsystems.com/
tags/SOTI2022
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 23
FOOD & BEVERAGE

Selecting a Pump for Food, Beverage &

Other Sensitive Applications
Users must consider metering and dosing, cleanability, hygienic conditions and more.

JEFF SHAFFER & BRENDON FORREST | Graco, Inc.

Every pump technology has a role to play

in food and beverage, personal care and
pharmaceutical processing. Centrifugal
pumps provide high-volume transfer at
a reasonable price point. Rotary lobe
pumps—commonly called positive
displacement (PD) pumps—transfer fluids
at high-flow rates and high pressures,
typically for higher viscosity fluids.
Diaphragm pumps handle slurries and
solids and are ideal for initial ingredient
transfer or difficult ingredients. IMAGE 1: Food-safe peristaltic hoses (Image courtesy of Graco, Inc.)

A lesser-known technology for hygienic

applications is peristaltic hose pumps.
Like the pump types listed above, there are
specific use cases where peristaltic pumps
can improve operational efficiency. Hose
pumps provide accurate dosing, are gentle
on fluids and can handle particulates.
A peristaltic pump, also known as a
hose pump, uses a rotating shoe or roller
to squeeze fluid through a hose. These
pumps operate on the peristalsis pumping
principle: fluid is drawn into the pump
and pushed through by compressing and
releasing the hose. This pump design
provides food processors the ability to
improve production processes.
Metering & Dosing
Peristaltic pumps are ideal for accurately
delivering a specific amount of fluids to
an application. These pumps achieve an
accuracy rate of +/- 1%. This is welcome
in applications requiring specific amounts
of flavorings or ingredients. An example of
this comes from the beer, wine and alcohol
industry. Today, flavorings are added to
alcoholic beverages such as molasses into
beer, peanut butter flavoring into whiskey
and more.
Traditionally, these flavorings were
measured out by hand from a large
container to a small container, delivered to
the mix and dumped in. This is labor- and
time-intensive and relies on an accurate
measurement by a laborer.
Solids & Slurries
In many food, beverage and personal care
applications, solid or thick slurry-type
materials are used. These ingredients can
be difficult for other pump technologies to
handle. When mechanical seals are used,
solids and slurries can cause damage,
leading to costly repairs. Peristaltic
pumps do not use a check valve, so they
can handle these materials well without
damaging the product, clogging the process
or damaging the pump.
Ice cream manufacturers use a large
number of solids and slurry ingredients to
add interesting tastes to their product.
Fruit pieces, nut pieces, powdered
flavorings, peanut butter, candies, etc.,
are all commonly used and are difficult
to handle with other pumps, especially if
product integrity is important. Hose pumps
can work with these materials and little
product degradation occurs during transfer.
Shear Sensitive Materials
Another difficult application in the hygienic
space is shear sensitive materials. Most
rotary-style pumps impart a large amount
of shear on product, which can change the
material consistency. This is not acceptable
in many recipes in food, personal care or
cosmetic manufacturing.
If you shear and damage the fluid, it
can change the taste, flavor or consistency
of the end product. Eggs and dairy
products are examples of ingredients
where rotary pumps can froth and shear
products with negative outcomes for the
end product.
Product shear in a pump typically
results from low-efficiency pumps, meaning
the ratio of fluid flowing into the pump is
greater than the fluid leaving the pump.
The longer fluid remains in the pump, the
longer it is beat by impellers, diaphragms
or shoes. Peristaltic pumps work well with
shear-sensitive applications with high
efficiency and gentle pumping action.

24 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022

Sanitary/Hygienic Construction
The largest concern from manufacturers in this industry is
material safety. Ensuring a pump meets food safe practices
is paramount in deciding on the right pump for the process.
Ensuring components do not introduce pathogens, degrade
ingredients and can be cleaned are critically important. The
pump component that will come into contact most frequently on
this pump is the hose. Ensure the pump manufacturer is using
hoses that meet government regulations such as U.S. Food &
Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission (EC) 1935.
The pump barbs (or connectors) should be made of sanitary
material such as stainless steel and should be easily cleaned.
Peristaltic pumps are a reliable technology but some failures
do occur, usually at the hose. If a hose fails, the food, beverage,
personal care or cosmetic ingredient will come into contact with
the lubricant in the pump housing, and the lubricant could be
introduced to the rest of the process. Ensure the lubricant used
What would happen if
within the pump is food grade, like a glycerin-based lubricant.
your pump ran dry?
Cleanability Overheating and seizure or meltdown?
Many manufacturers in this space prefer to use clean-in-place
(CIP) equipment. CIP cleans equipment faster and is less labor
Unplanned downtime? Costly repairs?
intensive than dismantling and cleaning equipment manually. With its seal-less design and patented diaphragm
Peristaltic pumps can be cleaned in place. To ensure a proper position control technology, Hydra-Cell pumps can
CIP, maintenance operators need to ensure they cycle the run dry without damage. Indefinitely.
pump during the cleaning process to allow the cleaning agent
to flow through the entire pump. If the pump cannot cycle fast Seal-less also means no seals or packing to leak,
enough to CIP, the users would need to remove the compression adjust or replace, so Hydra-Cell pumps have less
on the hose and CIP direct through the pump. Removing the downtime, less environmental containment costs,
compression removes the only possible flow restriction in the and less yearly maintenance costs than other types
line and allows users to get the velocity required to properly CIP of pumping technologies.
the pump.

Spec & Build a Peristaltic Pump

The first thing to do when building out a peristaltic pump for an
application is to determine the chemical compatibility. Check
the compatibility of the hose and lubricant against both the
pumped media and any cleaning solutions used. Next, select the
hose and motor/gearbox size to deliver the required flow rates.
Make sure the hose inside diameter is larger than the largest
particulate to prevent clogging. Following these steps will ensure
long hose life and optimal performance.
Materials with high viscosity and particulates are difficult
to pump without degrading the ingredient for many pump Contact us today for details and pricing –
technologies. Peristaltic pumps can handle the in-process fluid and a dry run.
transfer in the food and beverage, personal care, cosmetic and
pharmaceutical industries for metering, when solids and slurries
Check 110 on index.

are present or handling shear-sensitive ingredient materials.

Jeff Shaffer is the worldwide product manager at Graco, Inc.

Brendon Forrest is the marketing manager for the process division at Graco,
Inc. For more information, visit graco.com/sanitarysolotech.
www.Hydra-Cell.com • 612-332-5681

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 25
FOOD & BEVERAGE

6 Common Pitfalls for Pumping Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most difficult foods to transfer in food production.

CHRIS JOHNSON | Crane Engineering

Chocolate, though delicious, is a pain in

the neck to pump. It is shear sensitive,
viscous, solidifies when cool and also
requires special attention to hygiene (as it
is used for human consumption). If a user
is building a new system or troubleshooting
an existing one for chocolate transfer, there
are a few common pitfalls to avoid when it
comes to pumping this sweet confection.

1 Getting Burned
To avoid burning the chocolate, it is
critical to keep the cocoa butter in the
chocolate as a homogeneous mixture.
Chocolate is shear sensitive, and cocoa
butter and cocoa solids can easily separate
if pumped at high speeds. For this reason,
centrifugal pumps are generally a poor
choice for chocolate transfer applications.
Do not forget to watch the discharge
pressure, too. If the pump is going against
100 pounds per square inch (psi) or more,
shear will amplify inside the pump,
separating the cocoa butter and burning
the chocolate. Pump as slow as possible
with highly viscous chocolates to prevent
this from happening.
Major damage occurs during a cold start
with chocolate in the pump.
It is a good idea to choose a pump
with a jacketed feature that allows for
circulation of hot water or steam through
the pump (without coming in contact
with the chocolate). Avoid trying to warm
the chocolate by means other than a
jacketed pump. Using a heating torch or
other methods of direct heat can burn
the chocolate.
recommended for chocolate. Depending on
the user’s goals, a gear pump, rotary lobe
or circumferential piston pump are also
choices for chocolate.
A gear pump offers easier and faster
maintenance, given its single shaft seal.
Lobe or circumferential piston pumps are
more complex with two shaft seals but
offer some solids handling capability for
chocolates containing ingredients like
peanuts or raisins.

2 4
Twin screw pumps are also a good
Lack of Consideration Choosing the Wrong Type option and can provide consistent pulse-
for Viscosity of Pump free flow. They can also be used for
Slower pump speeds relate to lower net A centrifugal pump can be a poor choice clean-in-place (CIP) without needing
positive suction head required (NPSHr). for transferring chocolate. First, centrifugal another pump.
This is critical for viscous media to pass

through the suction of the pump. Generally,
a user will want to keep the rotations per
minute (rpm) below 300 to give proper
consideration for viscosity.
pumps run at faster speeds, imparting
too much shear on chocolates. They also
do not deal with viscosity well. Efficiency
and production take a nosedive when
viscosity increases from 0 centipoise (cps).
5
Choosing the Wrong Materials
of Construction
Choosing the right materials of
construction for a pump that transfers

3
Improper Temperature Control
If chocolate cools or solidifies
during a shutdown period, it is critical that
the chocolate is warmed before startup.
On the other hand, flow rate and efficiency
increase as viscosity increases with positive
displacement pumps. They are also a
better choice because they operate at low
speeds—less than 300 rpm is typically
chocolate is tricky. Some important
questions that need to be answered include:
Which standards do you need to
adhered to?

26 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022

If the facility needs to adhere to 3-A or
European Hygienic Engineering & Design
Group (EHEDG) standards, the lower cost,
cast iron pump will not be an option. It
will also not be possible to use a pump
with packing or mechanical seals. Advise
the engineer about any standards that
must be met.
Will the pump be subject to clean-out-of-
place (COP) or CIP?
If so, a pump with hygienic design will be
required. Look for a pump that complies
with third-party certifications. The two key
third-party certifiers in the food industry
are 3-A and EHEDG.
Will the pump handle products with
high potential for bacteria growth
(like dairy)?
Chocolate generally is not a good
growth medium for bacteria or fungi. But
when other ingredients are added, such
as the dairy products involved with
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Check 108 on index.
making milk chocolate, hygienic pumps
should be used.
6
Not Following General Guidelines
for Pumping Chocolate
There are some basic guidelines to follow
when pumping chocolate. These include:
• adjusting clearances (usually extra)
• maximum rotor rim speed of 250
• keep the discharge pressure half of the
100 psi max or less
• drilled idlers
• casing flush or suckbacks (either
holes or grooves) to move liquid to
behind the rotor, which can help
reduce burning chocolate and keep it
in a liquid state
Not following these guidelines can
result in pump failure, prematurely worn
parts (idler pin, bushing, sometimes
the crescent or rotor gear) and destroyed
mechanical seals (if used).
Chocolate is one of the most difficult
LEARN MORE:
fluids to transfer in food production. With
its ever-changing and shear sensitive
properties, it must be handled with extreme
care. If a user is struggling with consistency
and quality of chocolate, talking to an
engineer experienced in the subject is a
good idea.
They will be able to help users make
changes to increase production and reduce
chocolate-induced headaches.
Get More Info
Read more about food and
beverage processing:
pumpsandsystems.com/
tags/food-and-beverage
Chris Johnson is a fluid process engineer at
Crane Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in
mechanical engineering and nine years of experience
with fluid process equipment. For more information,
visit craneengineering.net.
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 27
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Improve Pump Maintenance & Reliability
in Food & Beverage
Pump selection and failure protection will help ensure compliance with strict
health and safety regulations.
ERIC SODERSTROM | Unibloc Pump
Sanitary pumps are used in nearly every
food and beverage processing plant to
transport oils, slurries, additives, flavorings,
sugars, meats/poultry, and more from
hoppers to grinders, mixers, formers and
primary packaging lines. These pumps
must be properly maintained and serviced
to meet food safety standards and ensure
productivity and product integrity.
Food Safety Regulations
The food and beverage industry is a primary
target for regulators. As a processor, users
must analyze and mitigate potential
risks, avoid foreign materials entering the
product, follow all sanitation procedures
and nurture worker safety. Failure in any
one of these areas can lead to severe
consequences. Even minor issues can lead
to downtime, product waste and lost profits.
U.S. standards
Food processors in the United States must
meet the Food & Drug Administration’s
(FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act
(FSMA) requirements. In addition, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
establishes additional standards for
the meat, poultry and egg industries.
Equipment used specifically for food
processing must comply with 3-A Sanitary
Standards. Manufacturers of food-handling
machinery must comply with a long list of
design criteria to achieve 3-A certification.
EU standards
In the European Union (EU), food processors
and importers must meet the food safety
requirements of the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA). The European Hygienic
28 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
8 Tips on Performing
Pump Maintenance Safely
Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG)
establishes guidelines for processing
equipment and machinery to ensure
effective clean-in-place (CIP) practices.
EU processors must also comply with the
European Commission’s Food Contact
Materials requirements.
Preventing foreign material intrusion
Foreign materials are of utmost concern
for food and beverage processors, and
rightfully so. To eliminate foreign material
contamination, consider the following:
• Use corrosion-resistant stainless steel
and elastomers in pumps and other food
processing equipment with components
built to withstand abrasive, acidic
or alkalic ingredients, as well as the
caustics and high temperatures used
for cleaning.
• Use a strainer at pump inlets to prevent
solids from entering and potentially
damaging the pump. Conversely, a
strainer at the pump outlet prevents
solids from exiting the pump, preserving
product integrity and food safety.
• Use metal detection and X-ray systems
to detect any foreign material, such as
metals, plastic, bone material, etc., that
has made its way through the pump.
Best materials and surfaces for sanitary
food operations
As food processors know, 316L stainless
steel is a preferred material for food contact
equipment, including sanitary pumps, as it
is well known for its resistance to corrosion
and abrasion.
Beyond those inherent properties, look
for fully machined pumps from a solid
1. Turn off the equipment before
performing any maintenance or
system checks.
2. Unplug the pump from its power
source and use lockout/tagout
procedures to prevent restarts
during service. Use shaft guards
and coupling guards to prevent
fingers, hands and clothing
from catching on equipment.
3. Deenergize any safety/relief
valves before dismantling.
4. Avoid contact with hot surfaces
and keep appendages and
foreign objects away from
moving parts.
5. Be sure the sanitation crew
understands the ingress
protection (IP) ratings
(protection levels) of the pumps
they are servicing or cleaning.
6. Return the pump to its
operating clearances after
maintenance.
7. Never attempt to operate a
pump with the covers off.
8. Ensure the suction and
pressure sides of the pump are
free from blockages.
This is not an all-inclusive list of
potential safety risks involved with
pump maintenance. Always train
workers to know and comply with
health and safety regulations.
 It is vital to conduct routine maintenance
to prolong pump life.
block of 316L stainless. These pumps
will not contain any welds, seams or
crevices that can trap food and bacteria.
A stainless-steel pump housing with a
smooth, machined exterior provides a
nonstick surface that simplifies cleaning.
A dome or curved housing keeps standing
water from accumulating on the surface
of the pump.
When using a positive displacement
pump, look for nongalling alloys on the
rotors to prevent surface imperfections
that are hard to sanitize.
Finally, be sure the seals and
elastomers used in the pumps are
designed for high-pressure,
high-temperature washdowns and
caustic cleaning agents, such as
fluoroelastomer or ethylene propylene
diene monomer (EPDM).
Configuring a Pump for
Easy Sanitation
Given the daily cleaning demands
required in the food processing industry,
placement of a food or beverage
processing line is the first consideration
for easy sanitation. Have the equipment
easily accessible and the surrounding
surfaces clutter-free.
In CIP operations, pumps and other
equipment do not require disassembly
for cleaning. Proper CIP procedures
guarantee that the pumps meet the
sanitation requirements of the FDA and
other regulatory agencies.
Clean out of place (COP) is typically
required in the meat and poultry industry.
Attempting to perform COP on pumps
not built for COP can prove challenging.
If reassembled incorrectly or handled
roughly, damage can occur. Users should
consider choosing a pump specifically
engineered for COP operations. They have
fewer parts, easy access to food-contact
surfaces and easy reassembly.
NTN
MEGAOHM™
Bearings
Reduce the
Common Causes of Pump Failure
There is no single cause of pump failure. Shock of
Fortunately, failures are avoidable with Downtime
the right pump design and maintenance.
Here are some common causes of
pump failure.
• Running the pump dry: Most pump
seals require lubrication from the
product to distribute heat, generated
by friction. Among other issues,
running the pump dry causes cracking
and warping of the seals.
• Overly gritty or abrasive product:
Unless an appropriate seal design is
chosen, gritty or abrasive product will
wear down a seal faster than normal.
• Chemical or physical
incompatibilities: Severe chemical
or physical loading can reduce the
life of a pump seal. The harsher the
chemicals or forces acting upon the
pump, the faster a seal will fail.
• Pump galling: Caused by a
combination of friction and adhesion,
galling leads to the slipping and
tearing of the crystalline structure
beneath the surface of the seal
material.
• Excessive shock and vibration:
Excessive shock and vibration can
cause significant axial and radial
play of the shaft, which will lead to
misalignment and leakage.
• Installation and maintenance errors:
If a pump is installed incorrectly, the
shaft can become misaligned, causing
pump seal failure. Other errors include
over-tightening fasteners, a dirty seal
Check 111 on index.
face and incorrectly mounted seals.
• Harsh environments: Uncontrolled
heat, drastic temperature shifts and
caustic cleaning detergents can
increase seal wear. Adjusting seal
chamber pressure, speed, the pumped
medium and the temperature around
the pump can all cause damage.
ntnamericas.com
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 29
FOOD & BEVERAGE
• Incorrect pump design or seal choice:
Choosing the wrong pump design or
material is a major cause of pump
seal failure; however, this is avoidable
if time is spent upfront selecting the
appropriate pump and seal combination.
Preventing Pump Seal Failures
There are multiple steps to eliminate the
common risk factors presented above:
1. Size the pump properly: Knowing a
product’s viscosity and flow rate are key
when sizing any pump.
2. Reduce installation errors: Once the
right pump and seal combination
are selected, they must be installed
correctly using the right tools and
in alignment.
3. Use the pump correctly: Proper day-
to-day pump operation is one of the
biggest factors in the life of a seal.
Operate the pump according to the
manufacturer’s specs and guidelines,
and do not operate the pump without
product in the rotor housing.
PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM/NEWSLETTER
30 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
4. Perform regular maintenance
and upkeep: Do not neglect pump
maintenance; fix any issues,
including leaks, as soon as possible
to avoid turning a simple repair into
a major shutdown, resulting in lost
productivity, safety risks and
lost revenue.
The most important components to
monitor for maintenance and repair:
• Seals: The most common cause of pump
downtime is seal failure. Establish a
regular schedule for inspecting and
replacing damaged or worn pump seals
and elastomers.
• Mounting points: Regularly check the
mounting points of the pump to the
process line to verify they are secure.
• Oil: Check the bearing housing and
gearbox oil for degradation, fill levels
and leaks.
• Pump accessories: Inspect and observe
check valves, pressure relief valves,
strainers and sight glasses.
U M P IN D USTRY
P
NEWSLETTERS
COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE
RELEVANT CONTENT
CASE STUDIES
WORLDWIDE NEWS
TECHNICAL ARTICLES
Pump Lubrication
Like any machinery, sanitary pumps
contain lubricated parts. Oil should be
changed after 2,000 hours of operation
or once per year, whichever comes first.
Do not underfill or overfill. Follow the
manufacturer’s guidelines on the volume
and types of lubricants to use.
Failure to carefully plan by choosing the
right sanitary pump for food and beverage
processes—and maintaining the pumps on
the production line—can result in costly
downtime, repairs, regulatory fines, product
loss, safety hazards and lower total cost of
ownership (TCO).
As with any machinery, it is vital to
conduct routine maintenance to prolong
pump life and replace everyday wear items.
Proper care keeps pumps running at peak
efficiency, helping meet productivity and
throughput goals far into the future.
Eric Soderstrom is a national sales engineer
for Unibloc Pump. For more information, visit
uniblocpump.com.
AUTOMATION

The Importance of Power Quality

With the Rise in Automation
An analyzer can help detect power quality and vibration issues.

FREDERIC BAUDART | Fluke Reliability Systems &

FRANK HEALY | Fluke Corporation

A momentary power interruption at home

is a minor inconvenience, but a momentary
power interruption in a production line
can lead to equipment failure. Though
today’s automated technology makes
better precision and efficiency possible, one
drawback is that electronics are susceptible
to power quality issues.
Automation in manufacturing has
become more commonplace in recent
years as technological advances have made
installing, using and maintaining such
machines more cost effective. Networking
technologies, the cloud, software
integrations and more have contributed
to the increased presence of automation
in manufacturing.
Other factors, such as the need to
increase efficiency and reduce costs
in a competitive landscape, have also
contributed to the adoption of automation.
The field will continue to evolve and IMAGE 1: Power quality analyzers can assist with automation and help ensure safer and more efficient assets.
improve as artificial intelligence (AI), (Images courtesy of Fluke)
machine learning and other advances drive
new capabilities and applications. reconfigured. Because of the upfront 3. Flexible automation takes the idea
costs associated with fixed automation of programmable automation a
What Is Automation? equipment, it is used only for high- step further by making automated
Automation simply refers to equipment and volume products. Downtime for fixed changeovers possible. Flexible
systems that perform tasks or processes automation systems is costly. automation equipment can adapt
automatically. The goal is not to replace 2. Programmable automation is to changing production needs and
humans but to make operations safer characterized by equipment that can priorities. It can even be controlled
and more efficient. There are three main be configured or coded for different remotely—a person does not need
types of manufacturing automation: fixed, processes. Programmable automation to be physically present to handle
programmable and flexible. equipment can be used for batch a changeover.
1. Fixed automation, also called hard production, including small batches
automation, refers to systems designed of as few as several dozen units or for What Does Power Quality
to produce a single type of product. products that have shorter life cycles. Have to Do With Automation?
Designed, built and programmed for The downtime associated with changing Older electromechanical equipment was
a specific purpose, the equipment from one product type to another is not as sensitive to changes in voltage. But
is fixed—not easily changed or more predictable but still expensive. some automated equipment is sensitive to

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 31
AUTOMATION
IMAGE 2: Power quality analyzers can draw power directly from the measurement circuit.
voltage changes and has a smaller margin
of error. Power quality issues can lead to
overheating, component and/or equipment
failure, automatic resets, data errors or
corrupted software.
When equipment experiences
disruptions, reliability and peak
performance are less attainable. Power
quality issues can cause equipment to run
inefficiently, malfunction or fail. A power
interruption can lead to inaccurate or
incomplete data or signals being used in a
process with the outcome ranging from low-
quality product output to damage to the
equipment itself. Even a small disruption
can impact an entire system.
There are numerous types of power
quality events:
• voltage sags and swells
• voltage interruption
• transients
• unbalance
• harmonics
1
How to Test & Monitor
Power Quality
Once detected and identified, most power
quality issues can be resolved. Utilities
and equipment manufacturers can often
be good resources for recommended
solutions. Both are ultimately invested
32 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
in the success of their customers. Users
can take a proactive approach by learning
about common symptoms and effects of
different power quality events, especially
considering that many power quality
events happen on the user’s side of the
meter. Users should also determine which
of their equipment is most sensitive to
power disturbances.
Troubleshooting power quality issues
With all power quality monitoring
systems in place, users will be able to
respond quickly when an issue arises. If
a manufacturing line is down because
a breaker has tripped for the third time
that week, users will have running data
to understand when it happened and how
long the issue was present. But, to fix the
problem, users have to figure out why the
three-phase circuit breaker tripped in the
first place and break down why it seems to
be a random occurrence.
Gather Information
The first thing to do when getting to
the root of a problem is to gather up all
of the information about the plant and
problem. Look at the monitoring data,
check with those who may know the
machinery more intimately to understand
what symptoms they have seen and what
happened the last time the breaker tripped.
There is also a series of questions to ask
and keep in mind while looking around the
production line:
1. Has anything changed recently?
2. Did any new machinery get installed
(nearby or downstream of the
electrical service)?
3. Has any equipment been removed?
Grabbing an up-to-date drawing is also
key to the investigation. Be sure to check
it against what is seen on the floor. Any
changes are potential areas for concern.
2 Set Up for Measurements
When a user has gathered as much
information as possible, it is time to move
on to making measurements. Having
an instrument that offers a wide range
of measurements, like a power quality
analyzer, is often the key to success in
finding the problem quickly so it can be
repaired efficiently.
When working with a power quality
analyzer, users want to start by installing
the tool before switching the breaker
back on, if possible. Once the tool is
installed, be sure to double all the
connections:
• Are the voltage leads connected to the
right phases?
• Are the current probes connected to the
right phases?
• Are the probes oriented correctly?
Check the reading on the measurement
device—modern analyzers often have a
feature that automatically indicates
correct connection.
If a user thinks they are going to have
to take readings over an extended period
of time, keep the analyzer’s power supply
in mind. With some modern analyzers,
the power can be drawn straight from the
measurement circuit, so users do not need
to worry about battery life or having to find
a wall outlet.
3
Power Up the System &
Look for the Problem
Return power to the system by resetting the
breaker. At this point, pay close attention to
two things: the voltage and the current.
1. Is the voltage within the expected
tolerance of +/- 10%?
2. Is the current being drawn to the
expected range?
RELIABLE POWER
These two areas of information can offer When your engine package powers your business, you
need a reliable source of power that you can depend on
a quick indication of where the problem under the harshest of conditions. That’s why we use John
might lie. If the voltage is too high or too Deere PowerTech™ engines which are durable, fuel efficient,
low, this is why the breaker might trip. If and easy to maintain. They are also backed by one of the
strongest engine and equipment companies in the World.
the current draw is higher than expected, it
At engines, inc., we engineer solutions for pump packagers
could also trip the breaker. for a variety of industries, including: water/wastewater;
Next, consider the power being chemical; oil/gas; and mining. We stand behind our
consumed and the power factor—having packages with the most reliable
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a power factor below 0.85 is wasteful and skilled staff is always available to you
can indicate loading problems. This can be on our 24-Hour Service Line to give
relatively easy to fix. you the support you need, when you
need it, wherever you are. We are
If all of the basics appear normal, your power source.
check the total harmonic distortion (THD)
as this can indicate that some loads are
creating problems. The unbalance can 24-HOUR SERVICE LINE
be checked by looking at unbalance 870-268-3799
percentages or at the phasor diagram on
Jonesboro, AR | 800-562-8049 | www.enginespower.com
the analyzer for voltage and current. Look
at the dips and swells documented on Check 116 on index.
the analyzer; has the voltage been
outside of limits while measurements
have been running?

4 Leave the Data Analyzer

If all of these steps have been
completed and the problem has not FLOW OPTIMIZATION
EXCELLENCE – MADE TO LAST

become clear yet, consider leaving

the data analyzer in place so the SECOND TO NONE
information can be logged. If the breaker
trips for a fourth time, the logger can
capture everything that happens before
and after the trip. That data can then
be downloaded, and a report can be
generated to share with experts in order
to fully fix the problem.

Frederic Baudart is the lead SME manager for
Fluke Reliability. He has more than 20 years of
experience in field service engineering work and
preventive/predictive maintenance. Baudart is
Thermal/Infrared Thermography Level I certified and
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from a technical college in Brussels, Belgium.
Frank Healy is the power quality product manager
at Fluke. He has more than 30 years of experience
in the industry and more than 16 years at Fluke. For
more information, visit fluke.com.
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Check 112 on index.

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 33
HVAC/BUILDING SERVICES
How Accurate Are
Your HVAC System’s
Pressure Instruments?
Why accuracy is important in low-pressure
instruments for HVAC systems.
STEVEN ST. HILAIRE | Ashcroft
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems are a critical part of a
building’s operation. They ensure that an
environment is comfortable for occupants
by controlling humidity, temperature and
air quality. However, the cost of running
these systems can be a concern for building
owners as inefficiencies in an HVAC system
could increase building management
costs, especially if the pressure sensors
used to monitor and control the system are
not accurate.
One way to ensure an efficient HVAC
system is to verify the accuracy of the
pressure sensors and transducers used in
the system. Pressure sensors in building
automation systems control the flow of air
through ducts, hot water through heating
coils, and cold water through chillers
and dehumidification coils. All of these
processes use energy and cost money but
the more efficiently they run, the less the
system costs to operate. Building owners
do not want to pay for heating or cooling air
that is not required by the occupant, so it is
vital to optimize HVAC performance.
Why Is Accuracy Important?
Accuracy refers to how far the measured
value of a specific pressure is from
the accepted allowable error of that
measurement. The accuracy of a pressure
instrument is determined by the maximum
positive and negative difference between
the measured value and its ideal value.
This allowable error is calculated as a
percentage of the measured output of the
34 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
IMAGE 1: Two types of differential pressure transmitters (Image courtesy
of Ashcroft)
sensor versus the ideal output, and it is
expressed as a percentage of the full span
of the sensor.
Pressure instruments with greater
accuracy provide a more accurate
indication of the pressure conditions,
which allows HVAC controllers to better
manage the heating and cooling needs
of the building. However, the accuracy
does not fully define an instrument’s
ability to measure pressure, which is why
manufacturers incorporate accuracy as part
of a larger performance statement.
Not All Accuracy Statements
Are Equal
Unfortunately, the HVAC industry has
not established a set of standards for
calculating the performance of pressure
instruments. As a result, accuracy
statements vary from one pressure
instrument manufacturer to the next,
requiring a closer look at how much of
an instrument’s overall performance is
really in that accuracy statement. Many
manufacturers use either a root of the sum
squared (RSS) or best fit straight line (BFSL)
methodology of expressing accuracy.
When reviewing RSS or BFSL accuracy
statements, users often find that they
do not tell the whole story regarding the
accuracy of the instrument. What may not
be included in that accuracy statement are
additional factors that will make that error
greater. These statements are typically
calculated using statistically derived
accuracy specifications that appear more
precise than the actual performance of the
instrument once it is installed.
These types of accuracy statements may
not include the offsets of the instrument at
zero (the lower end of the measurement) or
span (the expected output at the full range
of the instrument). This means there may
be additional errors at both the zero and
span points of the instrument that must
be considered by the installer, which could
require on-site resetting/calibration by
the installation team to ensure it operates
within the desired accuracy.
As a result, the HVAC technician
installing the instrument may need to
utilize a secondary calibration standard
to adjust both the zero and span set point,
which immediately increases startup costs,
eliminates out-of-box interchangeability,
and compounds the cumulative overall
system performance. These tweaks to
verify product can add costs to the building
owner, who has already paid the sensor
suppliers to provide the calibrated product.
What Is in an Accuracy Statement?
In determining the accuracy of pressure
instruments, users need to consider all
factors relevant to the application that
could lead to measurement errors. Some of
the most common sources of error include:
• Nonlinearity error: Deviation between
the instrument’s linear trend line and its
ideal output line.
• Hysteresis error: Deviation between
the instrument’s output in response to
increasing versus decreasing pressure.
 Kfifi
It is commonly expressed as a
percentage of full span or output span.
• Nonrepeatability error: This is
calculated by testing an instrument
three times in a row over its range under
the same conditions and determining
the maximum difference between the
measurement results. It is generally
expressed as a percentage of full span.
• Zero offset error and span setting error:
The errors in which the instrument
does not read zero when the pressure P m fifififi fi
is zero. Span setting errors are the
G APHALLOY® fi
fi fi fifi
differences between the optimal full-
scale output and the actual full-scale
value from the transducer. • Self-lubricating
• Zero and span temperature coefficient • Non-galling
error: The error band of the maximum • Won’t swell
deviation in zero and offset output • Corrosion resistant
as the temperature is varied from its • Dimensionally stable
• Improved efficiencies R PH
factory calibrated temperature setting
• -400˚F to 1000˚F (-240˚C to 535˚C) CORPORATION
to any other temperature within the onkers,,
specified range.
+1 914 968 8400
Methods of Determining Accuracy Check 113 on index.
There are many methods of calculating
accuracy statements for pressure
instruments but not all of them result in
accurate accuracy statements. An accuracy
statement should include a summation of
the error sources but this is uncommon in
the HVAC industry. At a minimum, accuracy
statements should include nonlinearity,
hysteresis, nonrepeatability, zero offset and
span setting, which contribute to how the
instrument performs.
While not all summation methods
consider all of these errors, using the
terminal point method does by including
both the zero and span offsets as part of
the accuracy statement. This methodology
determines the actual error for a pressure
instrument, allowing manufacturers
to better indicate the accuracy of their
products and contractors to better manage
the heating, cooling and subsequent low
airflow in their HVAC systems.
Why is accuracy important? Energy
efficiency equals cost savings.

Steven St. Hilaire is the global product leader for

both pressure transducers and pressure
switches at Ashcroft. He may be reached at
steven.sthilaire@ashcroft.com. For more information,
visit ashcroft.com.
Check 115 on index.

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 35
FIRE PUMPS
Fire Pump Maintenance:
Repacking Pumps
Longevity and proper operation of important life safety
equipment can be ensured when done correctly.
PHIL JAMERSON | Peerless Pump Company
Pump professionals see various levels of
maintenance performed during travels. This
ranges from a pristine fire pump room with
detailed maintenance plans and records
to a facility where the run hours on the
fire pump reflect only the initial startup.
It creates an interesting challenge that
requires continuous training and promotion
to get some people to take maintenance of
life safety equipment seriously.
A commonly misunderstood aspect of
fire pump maintenance is the maintenance
and adjustment of the pump packing
seals. This includes details on why packing
is used, whether packing should leak,
when packing should be replaced and the
adjustment of packing over time.
The first questions of why packing
is used on fire pumps and whether or
not mechanical seals can be used as an
alternate arise from time to time. The
simple answer is no. The first consideration
results from the fact that these pumps
are life safety devices that should be
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed and/
or factory manual (FM) approved. Those
standards require packing to be used as the
sealing method.
A deeper explanation is that mechanical
seals tend to have a failure mode that
results in the pump being inoperable. In a
life safety system, this is not acceptable.
Packing tends to fail over time and in a
worst-case scenario, a packed pump could
still provide a degree of fire protection.
The next important topic is managing
to keep the packing at that happy medium
where it drips approximately a drop per
second and does not spray all over the
pump room. When a new pump is installed,
36 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
this can require continued adjustment
as the packing swells and wears initially.
The best time to accomplish this is during
the weekly or monthly maintenance
runs as recommended in National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 25. Packing
is best adjusted while a pump is running
to find a balance between leakage and
temperature. It remains a maintenance
task that requires observation and
judgment over the life of the pump. At
some point, adjustment of the packing
will no longer be possible and at that time,
maintenance should be performed.
The replacement of a pump’s packing is
typically referred to as repacking the pump.
This is accomplished in different ways
and the method can vary depending on
the pump construction. The repacking of a
pump can also vary depending on the style
of fire pump in place. A vertical turbine and
vertical inline pump have similar methods
of repacking. The repacking of these pumps
can typically be accomplished without
removing large components in the field.
This detail does limit the ability to do much
of an inspection on the inner workings of
these styles of pumps.
One of the most common styles of
pumps in use as fire pumps is a horizontal
split case pump. The typical construction
of these pumps can vary between
manufacturers and these variances can
determine which method is used to repack
a pump. An accepted method of repacking
a horizontal split case pump requires the
removal of the top half of the pump case.
The removal of this component allows
for a more complete view of the internal
components of the pump and affords
ample access to the stuffing box area
where the packing rings are installed.
This is dependent on the manufacturer as
there can be some internal construction
differences. When the top of the pump is
removed, the impeller can be viewed to
see if it is experiencing abnormal wear and
centered properly. The shaft sleeves can be
inspected for wear as they can be a cause
of packing that is no longer adjustable. This
method also makes the removal and install
of the packing rings, and lantern rings when
present, easier.
Most manufacturers provide pre-cut
packing rings. It is a recommended practice
to offset the splits of the packing rings to
prevent the creation of a channel that the
water can easily pass through. When the
top of the case is removed, this process is
also easier. Placing the split of the packing
rings alternately between the 4 o’clock
and 8 o’clock position allows the ends
of the packing rings to be secured in the
lower case when the top half of the case is
reinstalled. The case gasket should also be
replaced at this time.
Most manufacturers provide kits for
repacking fire pumps. These kits can
also include hardware for the glands that
compress the packing. This is a good time
to replace those components as needed.
When inspecting and maintaining fire
pumps, it is a common practice to apply a
spray-on oil to the gland hardware as the
proximity of moisture to these components
can corrode them and create issues with
future maintenance. After the pump is
properly repacked and reassembled, it
needs to be run in order to adjust the
packing and verify proper operation as
detailed in NFPA 25. The final adjustment
of packing rings happens over time as
the packing swells and wears. The routine
maintenance runs afford this opportunity.
If routine maintenance runs of fire pumps
are not accomplished, repeat trips to
repack pumps will likely occur in greater
frequency. Maintenance instructions will
vary between manufacturers and specific
installation and operation manuals should
be consulted.
Phil Jamerson is regional sales manager, West,
at Peerless Pump. For more information, visit
peerlesspump.com.
EFFICIENCY 101

Save Energy & Costs With VSDs

Electromechanical VSDs can provide high efficiency for high-power, high-speed pumps.

SIMON TURNBULL | Voith

The oil and gas, chemical and energy

sectors use many high-power, high-
speed pumps in various applications,
often being driven by large electric motors
that consume a considerable amount of
plant energy.
Within these sectors, trends and
requirements are ever-changing, and
one topic of interest is improving plant
efficiency to save energy and operating
costs over short- and long-term periods.
This needs to be done without
compromising availability and
reliability. An important global goal for
these sectors is to support decarbonization
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions IMAGE 1: Electromechanical VSD overview on a high-power, high-speed pump (Images courtesy of Voith)

in line with the Paris Agreement. New

technologies are needed to support
this goal.
When electric motor-driven
variable speed regulation is needed
on high-power, high-speed pumps in a
typical speed range of 50% to 100%, an
electromechanical variable speed drive
(VSD) could be considered. These VSDs
operate with power ratings up to 20
megawatts (MW) and 15,000 rotations
per minute (rpm) rated output speeds.
An electromechanical VSD supports the
interest to improve plant efficiencies, save
energy and support decarbonization.
Intro to Electromechanical VSD
Traditionally, three VSD options could
be used to provide variable speed
regulation for pumps when driven by large
electric motors:
1. Hydrodynamic fluid coupling, with or
without gear stage(s)
2. Hydrodynamic controlled
superimposing planetary gear
3. Full-scale variable frequency drives
(VFDs) with or without a step-up gear
The electromechanical VSD is a
recent technology that combines the
superimposing planetary gear with VFD
technologies and incorporates a concept
called the power split principle. The drive
layout consists of a constant speed main
motor, which is directly coupled to a
superimposing planetary gearbox, which
is then coupled to the driven pump. Two
control servomotors are then connected
to the superimposing planetary gearbox,
creating an electric superimposing
planetary gearbox. The pump speed
can then be regulated together with the
electric superimposing gearbox plus the
constant input speed from the main motor.

IMAGE 2: Typical layouts of three VSD solutions

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 37
EFFICIENCY 101
A VFD provides the control needed for
the two servomotors. The layout of the
electromechanical VSD solution is shown in
Image 2.
Variable Speed Regulation via
Electrical Superimposing
Planetary Gearbox
The diagram shown in Image 3 details how
the electrical components are connected
to the mechanical gearbox that provides
the variable speed regulation. The constant
speed motor (1) drives the input shaft, (2)
which drives the ring gear on the planetary
gearbox at a constant speed (3). The sun
gear (4) is then connected to the output
shaft (6), which provides variable speed
for the pump. The servomotors (7) are
IMAGE 3: A diagram showing the electrical and mechanical components working together to provide variable
speed regulation for the pump
IMAGE 4: Power split principle (at rated point)
38 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
connected to the planet gears (5) by the
planet carrier (8). The sun gear is orbited by
the planet gears, which are enclosed by the
ring gear. The servomotors are operating
in clockwise and anticlockwise directions,
which change the direction and speed of
the planet gears, allowing the speed of the
pump to be increased or decreased across
the 50% to 100% operating range.
Electromechanical VSD Using
the Power Split Principle
Electromechanical VSDs use two power
flows to provide the required power for
the driven pump. At rated point, the
constant speed main motor will typically
provide 85% of power to the pump and
the remaining 15% power will be provided
by the VFD and servomotors, which is the
power needed for providing the variable
speed regulation. This is called the power
split principle.
When compared to one of the previously
mentioned VSD options, full scale VFD,
100% power is provided by the VFD and
variable speed motor to provide variable
speed regulation. As the full-scale VFD
system components are installed in-line,
they are transmitting full power, meaning
the losses are subjected to the full power
flow. The power flow of the two technologies
is shown in Image 4.
As the electromechanical VSD solution
only uses 15% of control power for variable
speed regulation, this means VFD losses are
proportional only to 15% of power instead
of 100% of the power. When calculating
the drive train efficiency provided by an
electromechanical VSD, the formula in
Equation 1 can be applied, which takes
into account the power split principle and
uses the 15% and 85% power flows within
the calculation.
ɳ electromechanical VSD =
(15% x ɳ VFD transformer x ɳ VFD
x ɳ servomotor + 85% x ɳ constant
speed motor) x ɳ superimposing
planetary gearbox
Equation 1
The electromechanical VSD system,
therefore, achieves high efficiency across
the pump operating range due to only a
small portion of power flowing through
the VFD line and the majority of power is
transmitted purely mechanically. At rated
point, efficiencies of up to 97% are possible,

IMAGE 5: Electromechanical VSD versus full-scale
VFD efficiency comparison
which can result in efficiency gains of up
to 2.5% when compared to full scale VFD
(Image 5). The electromechanical VSD using
a small amount of power for control means
the VFD has a small footprint and there are
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savings in weight. Also, there are savings
in auxiliaries such as power savings for
cooling, the transformer is simplified and
the constant speed main motor footprint is
reduced from the possibility of derating by
around 15% to 20%.
The electromechanical VSD can provide
the highest efficiency drive solution
using the power split principle, which can
contribute to improved plant efficiencies,
save energy and support decarbonization
on new build projects or upgrade projects in
existing facilities. The energy savings and
reduced control power may also contribute
to total cost of ownership savings up to
typical 25-year periods.
Aside from high efficiency,
electromechanical VSDs may also offer
further support when driving high-power,
high-speed pumps including:
• Motor-assisted start option that protects
the grid from high inrush currents. The
two servomotors can be used to start up
the constant speed main motor before
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connecting to the grid.
• Various electric topologies can be
applied to provide different redundant
options, especially for critical process
pumps. The two servomotors also
provide redundancy, allowing the drive
train to continue to run in an emergency
operating mode in case of an unlikely
issue with one of the servomotors.
There are many solutions for providing
variable speed regulation when powered
by large electric motors, so it should
be noted that VSD technology should
always be selected per individual project
requirement, location and type of industry.
Therefore, early evaluations are always
recommended to define the best VSD for
each pump application.
Simon Turnbull is regional manager business
development for electromechanical drives at Voith.
He may be reached at simon.turnbull@voith.com. For
more information, visit voith.com.
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PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 39
HI PUMP FAQS

Pump Vibration Standards & Metering

Pump Applications
HYDRAULIC INSTITUTE

Q| Can I use pump vibration standards

for pump acceptance if the pump is
driven by an engine?

Electric motors are the most common

pump driver, and for motor-driven pumps,
vibration is often used as an indicator of
pump machinery health. For rotodynamic
pumps, “American National Standards
Institute/Hydraulic Institute (ANSI/HI) 9.6.4
Rotodynamic Pumps for Measurement
and Allowable Values” is used for vibration
acceptance testing measured on the pump
bearing locations or discharge head for
vertically suspended pumps. Historically,
this has been a useful guide to determine
acceptability of a new or repaired pump;
however, engine-driven equipment is
outside of its scope.
Engine-driven pumps are out of the IMAGE 2: Frequency spectrum illustrating harmonic content typical of reciprocating engine
scope of this standard because data
from engine-driven pumps was not fully
considered in setting the acceptance levels,
and engines do not have the same torque
generating characteristics as that of a
The type of driver coupled to a rotodynamic
motor drive. In engines, fuel is burned in a pump can have a significant impact on the
cylinder and the expanding gas generates
torque on a crankshaft through a slider pump vibration characteristics.
crank mechanism containing a piston and
connecting rod (Image 1).

IMAGE 1: Slider crank assembly (Images courtesy
of Hydraulic Institute)
The resulting load on the pump will
include both lateral forces at the bearing
as well as torque transmitted through the
engine coupling. This load versus time is
not a smooth sine wave but a complex wave
shape that leads to generation of strong
harmonics at the firing frequency and its
multiples as noted in Image 2.
Furthermore, then the cylinder-to-
cylinder combustion process is typically
not uniform and in a four-cycle engine
there are noticeable, and possibly
dominant, harmonics at half engine
running speed. These frequencies can be
transmitted to the pump. In either case, the
engine firing process inherently generates
greater vibration levels as compared to
electric motor drives.
The type of driver coupled to
a rotodynamic pump can have a
significant impact on the pump vibration
characteristics. This FAQ describes
an excerpt from an HI white paper on
“Vibration Characteristics of Stationary
Engine Driven Rotodynamic Pump
Systems” that outlines some of the

40 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022

fundamental differences in electric motor versus
reciprocating engine operation that leads to different pump
U u lly
vibration levels. ANSI/HI 9.6.4 currently does not take into
account engine operation factors. Misapplication of the motor
vibration levels within ANSI/HI 9.6.4 will often lead one to believe
that a normal, healthy engine-driven system has a vibration
problem. There are some standards, such as International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) machinery standards,
that provide some guidelines regarding acceptable engine
vibration levels.
The Hydraulic Institute would like to expand ANSI/HI
9.6.4 to include pumps driven by reciprocating engines and
is conducting a field vibration data gathering campaign to
obtain useful operational information about engine-driven
pump applications. To participate in the program or assist with
providing field data, please contact hitechnical@pumps.org. O
For more information on vibration characteristics of pumps
driven by engines, refer to HI’s free white paper for “Vibration
Characteristics of Stationary Engine Driven Rotodynamic Pump
Systems” at pumps.org.

Q| In which applications are metering pumps used?

:
Metering pumps (also known as controlled volume pumps,
chemical injection/feed pumps, or dosing pumps) are typically Check 120 on index.
used for the injection of chemical additives, proportional
blending of multiple components or metered transfer of a single
liquid. These types of pumps are used in applications requiring
highly accurate, repeatable and adjustable rates of flow.
Like the vast majority of pump types, ultimate performance
is determined by not only correctly specifying the type and size
of the pump but also by the design of the suction and discharge
piping. This is particularly important for metering pumps
because they have a characteristic pulsating output due to their
reciprocating action. The rate of flow of a controlled-volume

π
pump is a function of the cross-sectional area of the plunger or
piston or displacement of the diaphragm, the stroke length and
the strokes per minute. The rate of flow is adjusted by changing
the stroke length and/or the stroking speed.
Metering pumps are characterized by their ability to meet B
specific performance requirements concerning steady state
accuracy, turn down ratio, repeatability and linearity.
For more information on metering pumps and their piping
design refer to ANSI/HI 7.8 “Controlled Volume Metering Pump
Piping Guideline” at pumps.org.

D BY 6 PM F
M D Y H PP

HI Pump FAQs® is produced by the Hydraulic Institute as

a service to pump users, contractors, distributors, reps and
OEMs. For more information, visit pumps.org.

C MPL T C T L 1-800-295-5510
Check 118 on index.

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 41
SEALING SENSE
Power Industry & Elastomeric
Expansion Joints
Facilities share many common practices regarding expansion joints.
JAMES M. GANNATAL | Proco Products, FSA member
Elastomeric expansion joints are used in
many diverse ways and systems within
the power industry. Elastomeric expansion
joints are flexible connectors comprised
of natural or synthetic elastomers,
fluoroplastics and fabrics and, when
necessary, are reinforced with metal to
provide stress relief in a piping system
due to thermal expansion/contraction
and mechanical vibration. Expansion
joints play an important role when used in
different power generating facilities from
hydroelectric, nuclear, coal, thermal power
to oil- or natural gas-fired combined-cycle
or cogeneration power plants. Although
these types of power generating facilities
are different when it comes to expansion
joints, they share some commonalities on
which types of expansion joints are used
and in which systems.
The most common type of expansion
joint used in the power industry is the
spool-type elastomeric expansion joint,
which comes in a variety of design
configurations—from single and multiple
open and filled arch design to concentric
and eccentric reducer designs (Image 1).
IMAGE 1: Spool-type expansion joints (Images
courtesy of Proco Products, Inc.)
42 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
The spool-type expansion joints
have an integrated full face rubber
flange and are typically available in
more design configurations as well as
custom engineered solutions for unique
installations/applications.
Power generating facilities are different
based on their power generating techniques
but share common processes and systems.
Some of the common processes they can
share are a boiler system, heat exchangers,
condensers and cooling towers. The most
common is a water circulation system.
Depending on the power generating
technique, these processes and systems
can be applied differently but use
expansion joints similarly. For instance, in
a boiler system, heat exchanger, condenser
or cooling towers, expansion joints can be
found on both the supply and return lines,
conveying fluid of varying temperatures
based on the stage of the process.
IMAGE 2: Water circulation pump
The expansion joint is also typically
used at the inlet and discharge of the
pumps for the systems to dampen
mechanical vibration, as well as further
in the supply and return lines to account
for thermal growth/contraction of the
adjacent piping, reducing stress on
the system.
Some common systems where
expansion joints are found based on the
power generating process:
Hydroelectric power generation
• pump storage stations: inlet and
discharge of pumps
Nuclear power generation
• cooling water circulation systems:
supply and return lines, inlet and
discharge of pumps
• heat exchanger systems: supply and
return lines
IMAGE 3: Heat exchanger
 RANDOLPH AUSTIN COMPANY
Coal power generation
• raw water intake
• water circulation LEADER IN PERISTALTIC PUMPS &
systems: supply and EXTRUDED FLEXIBLE TUBING
return lines, inlet and
Smart Solutions for all Your Fluid Transfer Applications
discharge of pumps
• condenser/condensate
pumps: supply and
Precise metering pumps?
return lines
Ink pumps?
• turbine to condenser Heavy-duty industrial pumps?
connections Randolph peristaltic pumps are
• heat exchanger the pumps that never get wet.
systems: supply and
return lines Randolph flexible tubing is
• cooling towers: supply ideally suited for rugged use
and return lines, in peristaltic pumps as well
building connections IMAGE 4: Cooling tower as general transfer of fluids
• scrubber/absorber including harsh acids, inks,
recirculating pump systems and solvents and abrasive
• water redirect (CCR and ELG) systems materials.

Thermal power generation

RANDOLPHAUSTIN.COM • 1.800.531.5263
• water circulation systems: supply and return lines, inlet and
discharge of pumps Check 117 on index.
• heat exchanger systems: supply and return lines
• condenser systems: supply and return lines
• cooling towers: supply and return lines

Combined-cycle or cogeneration power generation

• water circulation systems: supply and return lines, inlet and
discharge of pumps UNMATCHABLE EXPERIENCE IN
• condenser/condensate pumps: supply and return lines FLOW CONTROL TRANSACTIONS
• turbine to condenser connections
• heat exchanger systems: supply and return lines
• cooling towers: supply and return lines, building connections
Jordan Knauff & Company is a knowledgeable and
experienced provider of a comprehensive line of
Elastomeric expansion joints have a diverse and important investment banking services to the pump, valve and
role when used across the power industry and are applied in filtration industries (“Flow Control”).
different systems in the power generating process. Although
Our lines of business include: selling companies,
the processes may be different, the application of the expansion raising debt and equity capital, and assistance
joints to compensate for mechanical vibration and thermal on acquisitions.
expansion/contraction are the same and found in many common
systems shared among the power industry. To learn more about Jordan Knauff & Com-
pany, contact any member of our Flow
Control team. Access our Flow Control research
We invite your suggestions at www.jordanknauff.com/research-library.
for article topics as well
as questions on sealing
issues so we can better G. Cook Jordan, Jr. David A. Kakareka
Managing Principal Managing Director
respond to the needs of the industry. Please direct your suggestions cj@jordanknauff.com dkakareka@jordanknauff.com
and questions to sealingsensequestions@fluidsealing.com. 312.254.5901 312.254.5907

MEMBER FINRA, SIPC

James M. Gannatal is a mechanical engineer with Proco Products, Inc. He
became a member of the Fluid Sealing Association in 2020.
Check 119 on index.

PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 43
PRODUCTS
NEW & NOTABLE
TECHNOLOGY
Selected by the
Pumps & Systems editors
2
1 VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE
EATON’s PowerXL DM1 micro variable frequency
drive (VFD) is designed for commercial, industrial
and OEM users. The Eaton engineered drive is
designed to simplify design, integration and
operation, improve safety and support reliable
operations. Eaton’s new VFD offers value in its
class through onboard Ethernet-based
communications, IoT, webserver, Bluetooth, safe
torque off, SIL2 and more.
eaton.com
Check 201 on index.
2 SUMP PUMPS
VERTIFLO PUMP COMPANY’s Series 700, 800
and 900 immersion sump pumps are available
with VFD motors. These vertical immersion sump
pumps built for sump drainage, flood control and
process drainage meet Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) requirements. Depending on
the rotations per minute (rpm), the VFDs provide the
capability of varying flow and head performance
from a vertical pump. These motors offer a cost-
effective method of varying the pump performance
as desired while conserving energy consumption.
vertiflopump.com
Check 202 on index.
3 MOTORS
SIEMENS’ new SIMOTICS S-1FS2 line of
servomotors, designed for the clean condition
requirements of the food, beverage, sterile
packaging, pharmaceutical and other process
industries. These new servomotors are offered in
a variety of power ratings, from 0.45 to 2 kW (0.60
to 2.68 hp) with torque from 2.28 to 10.32 ft-lbs.
Crafted with housings of 1.4404 (AISI 316/316L)
stainless steel, EPDM seals and bearing grease with
NSF H1 approval, these new servomotors are highly
resistant to corrosion and acidic chemicals.
siemens.com
Check 203 on index.
To have a product considered for this section, please send the information to Drew Champlin, dchamplin@cahabamedia.com.
44 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
3
6
4 SAFETY COMPONENTS
AUTOMATIONDIRECT has added new
ReeR MOSAIC safety controller components
for expanded capability. The Reer MOSAIC
(MOdular SAfety Integrated Controller) makes
it easy to manage safety systems and sensors.
It is modular, expandable and configurable
for managing all safety functions of a single
machine or an entire plant. The new MOSAIC-MV
series speed monitoring expansion modules
allow speed monitoring of rotating machinery
via proximity sensors or TTL, HTL and SIN/COS
encoder inputs.
automationdirect.com
Check 204 on index.
5 CHEMICAL METERING SYSTEM
SEEPEX is expanding its line of progressive 6 MOTOR TEST SYSTEM
cavity metering pumps with the new BRAVO H JENKINS ELECTRIC has removed manual tap
chemical metering system. BRAVO H systems switches and is introducing the industry’s first
provide premium control and reliability in motor test system completely controlled by
chemical dosing applications. SEEPEX BRAVO a remote operator’s console. The introduction
chemical metering systems are pre-engineered, of this console removes the need for manual
chemical-feed skid systems that provide low controls located on the same enclosure that
pulsation and accurate metering of chemicals houses the power supply, electrically isolating
via progressive cavity pumps. They are used in a the technician interface from exposure to test
variety of industries for disinfection, pH control, voltage. Operators can adjust voltage at each
flocculation, corrosion inhibitors, oxygen phase of testing from a safe distance without
scavengers and contaminant elimination. risking exposure to the power supply.
seepex.com jenkinselectric.com
Check 205 on index. Check 206 on index.
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Advertiser Name RS# Page

ABB Motors US...................................... ❑ 101...........9
ABEL Pumps, L.P. ................................. ❑ 121.........46
AE Pumps .............................................. ❑ 131.........46
Ampco Pumps ......................................❑ 104...........7
Arntzen Company ...............................❑ 134.........47
Automationdirect.com.......................❑ 102....... IFC
Blue-White Industries Ltd ................. ❑ 107.........15
Boerger Pumps LLC ............................. ❑ 112.........33
Busch USA .............................................❑ 108.........27
Dan Bolen & Associates .....................❑ 122.........39
Dodge .....................................................❑ 103...........1
Engines................................................... ❑ 116.........33
Graphite Metallizing Corporation .... ❑ 113.........35
Hydro, Inc. ....................................................................5
Jordan Knauff ....................................... ❑ 119.........43
Load Controls........................................ ❑ 114.........39
Magnatex Pumps .................................❑ 123.........47
Master Bond .......................................... ❑ 124.........46
Moving Water Industries Corp. ........❑ 132.........47
NTN Bearing Corp. ............................... ❑ 111.........29
Randolph Austin Company ............... ❑ 117.........43
Resimac Americas, Inc. .....................❑ 125.........47
Rotech Pumps & Systems, Inc. ........❑ 133.........46
RWN Pump & Fabrication ..................❑ 126.........46
Sulzer Management Ltd
Rotating Equip Svcs ...............................................IBC
Thomas Pump ......................................❑ 127.........47
Titan Flow Control, Inc. ...................... ❑ 115.........35
Titan Manufacturing, Inc...................❑ 128.........47
Tuf-Lok International..........................❑ 135.........46
Uline. ....................................................... ❑ 118.........41
Vaughan .................................................❑ 106........ BC
VEGA Americas.....................................❑ 105...........3
Vertiflo Pump Company ....................❑ 120.........41
Vesco.......................................................❑ 130.........47
Wanner Engineering ........................... ❑ 110.........25
Wilkerson Instrument Co.,Inc...........❑ 129.........46
WILO USA LLC .......................................❑ 109.........17
*This ad index is furnished as a courtesy, and no responsibility is assumed
for incorrect information.

PRODUCTS
Company Name RS# Page

AutomationDirect................................❑ 204........ 44 Jenkins Electric ....................................❑ 206........ 44 Siemens..................................................❑ 203........ 44

Eaton.......................................................❑ 201........ 44 SEEPEX ...................................................❑ 205........ 44 Vertiflo Pump Company ....................❑ 202........ 44

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❑ 21 Engineering & Construction, ❑ 25 Aftermarket/Replacement, Parts & ❑ 05 Environmental & Safety
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PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 45
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46 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
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PUMPSANDSYSTEMS.COM 47
PUMP MARKET ANALYSIS
Wall Street Pump &
Valve Industry Watch
JORDAN, KNAUFF & COMPANY
The Jordan, Knauff & Company
(JKC) Valve Stock Index was up
15.1% over the last 12 months, and
the broader S&P 500 index was up
24.7%. The JKC pump stock index
rose 21.6% for the same period.1
The Institute for Supply
Management’s Purchasing
Managers Index (PMI) rose to 61.1%
in November. The prices paid index
was 82.4%, a step back from 85.7%
in October. Wait times for supplier
deliveries and prices fell by more
than three points. The employment
component rose to 53.3%, the
highest reading since April. Supplier
deliveries were a still-elevated
72.2%, a 3.4 point drop. It is still a
long wait time at the loading dock
but not as long as it was in either of
the two prior months.
The United States economy
added 210,000 jobs in November,
the smallest gain since last
December and a slowdown from
the upwardly revised increase of
546,000 jobs in October. Job gains
have averaged 555,000 a month
in 2021.
The unemployment rate fell to
4.2% from 4.6%. Employers are
experiencing a shortage of workers
IMAGE 2: U.S. energy consumption and rig counts. Source: U.S.
Energy Information Administration and Baker Hughes Inc.
48 PUMPS & SYSTEMS JANUARY 2022
and have been raising
salaries and offering new
benefits to entice new IMAGE 1: Stock indices from Dec. 1, 2020, to Nov. 30, 2021. Local currency converted
to USD using historical spot rates. The JKC Pump and Valve Stock Indices include
hires. Average hourly a select list of publicly traded companies involved in the pump and valve industries,
wages were up 4.8% weighted by market capitalization. Source: Capital IQ and JKC research.
in November over the
previous year. expected to exceed global supply
Reference
U.S. Federal Reserve Bank through the end of the year, 1. The S&P Return
Chairman Jerome Powell suggested contribute to some additional figures are
officials could speed up the pace of inventory draws, and keep the Brent provided by
winding down asset purchases. This crude price above $80 per barrel Capital IQ.
could set the stage for an interest through December 2021.
rate increase early next year. However, global oil inventories Jordan, Knauff
& Company is an
Inflation was up 5% in October from are forecast to build in 2022, investment bank
a year earlier, amid strong demand driven by rising production from based in Chicago
for goods and services. OPEC+ countries and the U.S. along that provides
Spot prices of Brent crude oil and merger and
with slowing growth in global
acquisition advisory
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) have oil demand. This shift will put services to the
risen since their April 2020 lows downward pressure on the Brent pump, valve
and are now above pre-pandemic price, which is forecast to average and filtration
industries. Please
levels. In October, the price of Brent $72 per barrel during 2022. visit jordanknauff.
crude averaged $84 per barrel, On Wall Street, the Dow Jones com for further
and the price of WTI averaged $81 Industrial Average fell 3.7%, the information. Jordan,
per barrel, the highest nominal S&P 500 Index lost 0.8% while the Knauff & Company
is a member of
prices since October 2014. Since NASDAQ Composite gained 0.3% FINRA.
the third quarter of 2020, global in November. The omicron variant
consumption of crude oil and threw the markets off track from These materials were
petroleum products has increased a record rally. Virus panic, the prepared for informa-
tional purposes from
faster than production, causing anticipation of the possible Federal sources that are be-
lower inventory levels and higher lieved to be reliable but
Reserve Bank’s interest rate rise, which could change
crude oil prices. and inflation pressures kept without notice. Jordan,
Knauff & Company and
Global crude oil demand is investors’ sentiments uneasy. Pumps & Systems shall
not in any way be lia-
ble for claims relating
to these materials and
makes no warranties,
express or implied, or
representations as to
their accuracy or com-
pleteness or for errors
or omissions contained
herein. This informa-
tion is not intended to
be construed as tax,
legal or investment
advice. These materials
do not constitute an
offer to buy or sell
any financial security
or participate in any
IMAGE 3: U.S. PMI and manufacturing shipments. Source:
investment offering or
Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Report on deployment of capital.
Business and U.S. Census Bureau
 February 10, 2022
9:30 a.m. CT
FREE

Diffusers – Catastrophic Failure & the

Use of Technology to Provide Solutions

Learn more about

diffuser failure modes
Sponsored by
and parameters that
need to be addressed.

Technology is available today that allows for the analysis of existing diffuser designs and to provide
solutions in the event of a catastrophic failure. The discussion during this webinar will focus on
diffusers, their failure modes and the parameters that need to be addressed when retrofitting a
diffuser pump with a new diffuser set. Learn more through a case study that will also be presented.

SPEAKER
Watson has worked with centrifugal pumps since 1975 when he joined Weir Pumps
in Alloa, Scotland. He has extensive experience in the design of high-energy
multistage diffuser pumps. He has consulted to the United States nuclear industry
and presently works for Sulzer pumps relative to retrofitting multiple pump types
for greater reliability.

Ian Watson
Rotating Equipment Services
Regional Retrofit Specialist
Sulzer Register at pumpsandsystems.com/webinars
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