Economising water flow systems
21 May 2013
Engineers from KSB have combated rising energy prices and limited resources by supplying pumps-as-turbines (PAT) to the pumping industry.
PAT systems pass water the ‘wrong way’ through a pump, allowing the head pressure in the flow to act on the impeller blades, providing torque on the output shaft which can be used to drive an application.
KSB engineers suggested the most common application is an asynchronous generator which converts energy into electricity, which can drive on-site plant or it can be sold to the local grid.
PAT’s have been installed in a number of projects to provide cleaner, renewable energy
An example of a KSB PAT in use is in Brazil, where constant water flow supply is quite easy to find.
In more remote areas of the country, the KSB system is implemented to produce hydro-power sources which do not have to rely on diesel generators.
In addition to use in rural areas, the PAT system is also effective in locations where power is readily available.
In the UK alone, PAT’s have been installed in a number of projects to provide cleaner, renewable energy with KSB working alongside May Gurney to install the solution for South West Water.
KSB claim the application is not restricted by a specific type of pump; PAT’s have been proven to work with end suction, axially split case and multistage ring section pumps and can be used in both horizontal and vertical configurations.
The general appeal of PAT systems is their low service and maintenance costs, coupled with their relatively straightforward operating procedures.
