Michael Smith supplies Nikkiso canned motor pumps

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 9, 2009

A leading manufacturer of polymer resins has installed Nikkiso canned motor pumps from Michael Smith Engineers to maintain efficiency in its operation.

For applications where pumps are operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, a cost-saving focus is especially important, and when investigated and acted upon, can result in significant savings.

A good example is at DSM Composite Resins in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

In 2006, DSM made the decision to replace some of its ageing magnetically coupled pumps, which were operating on Jarytherm hot oil service at 250C.

These hot oil pumps were running 24/7, as part of a system providing an instant source of heat for the chemical reactors used for the resin production.

Nikkiso high-temperature HX Series canned motor pumps, supplied by Michael Smith Engineers, were identified as the most suitable pumps to replace the existing magnetically coupled pumps.

The pump selected was an HX25D-G5 with a 30kW motor, which produced an immediate efficiency improvement over the original 45kW magnetically coupled pumps.

On the same duty service the Nikkiso drew 23kW, compared to the original pumps 45kW, a saving of 40 per cent on energy operating costs.

Graham Wilkes, industrial engineer for DSM Composite Resins, said: 'The pump paid for itself within 12 months due to the energy savings and reduced maintenance costs.' Two smaller HX24C-C5 Nikkiso pumps with 18.5kW motors were installed at DSM Resins in July 2008 and once again produced instant efficiency benefits.

These pumps drew 5.88kW and 11.33kW, compared with the original magnetically coupled pumps that drew 17kW and 18kW respectively.

However, the benefits are not just lower running costs, Nikkiso HX pumps also ensure savings on installation.

The Nikkiso HX Series has a ceramic stator that requires no external cooling.

This results in significant savings on installation as there is no need for additional pipe work required to bring a water supply for cooling and an operating cost saving as there is no need for cooling water.

Other features of Nikkiso HX canned motor pumps include a one piece rotor/pump shaft, so any misalignment problems, and the subsequent maintenance issues associated with conventional pumps, are eliminated.

Nikkiso pumps have only two journal bearings and an automatic thrust balancing system, which ensures that both the axial and radial bearing loads are kept to a minimum.

This results in longer bearing life and therefore reduced maintenance costs.

Michael Smith Engineers are able to supply the range of Nikkiso canned motor pumps, which are suitable for handling capacities up to 1000m3/hr and maximum discharge heads up to 210m.

High-speed and multi-stage options for differential heads up to 420m can also be supplied.

These compact, energy-efficient, leak-free pumps are suitable for handling corrosive, aggressive or expensive liquids that must not come into contact with the atmosphere.