AI-based Smart Monitoring System to Optimize Pump Efficiency and Reliability

The trial emerged from United Utilities’ CEO Challenge initiative, in which teams of graduates in different business areas work together to find innovative solutions to business issues, such as maintenance excellence and minimizing environmental impact.

Samotics’ SAM4 system has a suite of features to optimize pump efficiency and reliability. SAM4 analyzes current and voltage data from electric motors using a technique called electrical signature analysis (ESA). The system’s sensors install in the motor control cabinet, rather than on the machine being monitored, enabling the reliable capture of detailed health data regardless of the machine’s location and exposure to hazards. Thanks to a comprehensive proprietary library of predictive models and fault signatures validated by Samotics’ installed asset base, SAM4 provides superior detection performance for both electrical and mechanical faults. The system also provides a suite of energy and performance metrics, including a real-time pump performance curve. Together, these features will enable United Utilities to quickly identify when equipment begins to operate below the optimum level, enabling repairs and replacements to be scheduled more effectively to improve energy efficiency and prevent unnecessary wear and tear.

“United Utilities has a deep commitment to resilient, environmentally responsible water management, and we’re delighted to play a part in helping provide its customers with the best possible service at the lowest sustainable cost,” said Jasper Hoogeweegen, chief executive officer at Samotics. “Pumps pose a major maintenance challenge in industries like water management. With SAM4, operators can access more insights than ever before and in near real time, empowering them to act instead of react to upcoming challenges and ensure pumps continue to run efficiently and effectively.”

Explaining why his team had identified Samotics’ technology as worthy of further testing, graduate team member Nathanael Pattison said: “Monitoring the health of powered assets was a key priority in our CEO Challenge project as our team of graduates was tasked to find ways to optimize asset health understanding and monitoring. Samotics’ capabilities intrigued us due to its non-invasive approach to asset condition and performance monitoring and the possibility of developing real-time pump curves. We are excited to see how the trial proceeds and the insights we could gain to ensure we continue providing customers with great service because of strong operational performance.”

The SAM4 system will be installed on 25 pumps at eight locations, testing a variety of pump types and processes, over 12 months before being evaluated.