Smart pumps: Why it pays to be smart

With the advent of Information Technology (IT) in the 1990s, the world is moving towards the adoption of industrial products that enable automatic control of their operations, thereby enhancing the ease of operation and providing a reduction in errors due to manual intervention. Automobiles, refrigerators, washing machines, security systems, motors, and valves have incorporated technology that provides a high degree of automation.

The pump industry has traditionally focused on the mechanical aspects of the pump and how the efficiency of the pump can be enhanced through optimisation of the hydraulic and mechanical design. However, with the enhanced end-user focus on energy efficiency and energy consumption, pump manufacturers should emphasise on designing and manufacturing pumps with integrated electronics, known as “smart” or “intelligent” pumps.

What makes a pump “smart”?

A smart pumping system consists of a pump integrated with a logic controller, variable speed drives, and sensors, such as Taco’s 1900 VFD pumps, to monitor its operating characteristics and prevent dry running and cavitation. The capability to regulate pump operating parameters, such as pressure and flow, and operate them under optimal conditions makes these pumps smart.

Smart Pumps - Why should customers opt for it?

There are several factors that support the case for the adoption of smart pumps. These can be broadly classified under two major categories, namely,

Energy efficiency and lifecycle costs:

There is an increased focus among end users in energy consumption at their facilities, which is expected to result in a greater demand for smart pumps that provide enhanced energy savings.

An integrated variable speed circulator installed in a building has an average lifetime of approximately 15 years. However, the average payback period for such a pump is approximately 24 months. As long as the smart pump provides a reduction in the total cost of ownership, pump manufactures should be able to justify the high initial cost of the smart pump.

While the need for energy efficiency is going to have a positive impact on the smart pumps market, it is expected to result in an increased growth for the centrifugal pumps market. This is because centrifugal pumps are more suited for applications involving variable flow as opposed to positive displacement pumps. Centrifugal pumps also exhibit a significant drop-off in efficiency when the operating condition pushes the pump outside its Best Efficiency Point (BEP), thereby necessitating the need for greater electronic control.

Environmental legislations:

Regulation pertaining to the environment, greenhouse gas and carbon emissions, as well as pump quality and efficiency are likely to be the key factors that are expected to enhance the demand for smart pumps. The widespread adoption of smart pumps across all end-user industries is essential to meet the efficiency targets specified in the Energy Efficiency Directive. The Ecodesign directive, with its stated aim of reducing energy usage and preventing a harmful environmental impact, is also likely to result in the increased adoption of smart pumps.

The last word

Smart pumps provide optimal energy consumption, enhanced energy savings, reduction in maintenance effort lifecycle costs, and offer a greater ease of communication and control. Over the past decade, a few major pump manufacturers have identified the opportunity to revolutionise the traditional pump industry with innovative technology and have marched ahead in the smart pumps market. While concerns over the initial cost and the reliability of the integrated electronics continue to persist in the minds of end users, it is only a matter of time before end users are convinced of the benefits of smart pumps in their facilities. Both pump manufacturers, who have not yet entered the smart pumps market, as well as the end users should adopt smart pump technology or risk being left behind.