Pump helps combat hot water bacteria danger

The latest SB circulating pump from Wilo-Salmson has been introduced to help combat the danger caused by Legionellae bacteria in secondary hot water storage calorifiers

The latest SB circulating pump from Wilo-Salmson, one of Europe's leading manufacturers of pumps, has been introduced to help combat the danger caused by Legionellae bacteria in secondary hot water storage calorifiers.

Designed for use in a wide range of applications, including hospitals, residential homes and sheltered housing, where many of the occupants are high risk categories for legionnaires' disease, the SB pump incorporates a number of features to reduce running costs and prolong operating life, making it ideal for secondary hot water or calorific destratification applications.

Although the problem of Legionellae is generally resolved by keeping water at temperatures above 70C, the bacteria can grow if the water system is left unused for several hours, which sometimes happens at night, or if water in a storage calorifier is allowed to stratify, with temperatures at cooler levels falling to between 20 and 50C.

At these temperatures, bacteria can multiply, subsequently being drawn off when the system comes back into full use.

The latest Wilo SB pump has an option of an integrated automatic timer that allows it to be programmed to circulate hot water either continuously or at times of low demand, thereby eliminating the problem of stratification within the calorifier.

In addition, the pump housing, impeller and other mechanics are designed to ensure a smooth and continuous fluid flow, preventing bacteria or small areas of slow moving water accumulating within the bronze pump body.

To reduce both operating costs and the need for maintenance, the Wilo SB pumps are of a glandless design, with all rotating parts running in the water being circulated; this effectively removes the need for a motor cooling fan.

The impeller drive shaft is hollow and manufactured in ceramic, helping to minimise the build up of calcium salts, while a sintered bronze filter removes small particles or other debris that might otherwise damage the rotor and bearings.

Wilo SB pumps are available in four versions, covering most secondary hot water applications, are easy to install and have full WRc approval.

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