Impulses for practice: Optimization and innovation at the Pump Conference in Graz

By Christoph Becker, CEO of VSX - VOGEL SOFTWARE GmbH

The 28th Pump Practitioner Conference took place in Graz from May 5-7, 2025. Once again, development and operations managers presented their findings and perspectives against the backdrop of a changing working world.

The focus of this year's conference was on energy efficiency and the optimization of pumps and pumping systems, particularly with regard to sustainable applications.

The event kicked off with a presentation by Sulzer entitled "Focus on Sustainability." The presentation highlighted the current challenges in the area of ​​pump applications. The presentation highlighted that pumps play a central role in the sustainable transformation of industrial processes. Through the use of innovative technologies and new business models, they can evolve from mere energy consumers to pioneers of sustainable solutions. However, this requires systemic thinking and close cross-sector collaboration.

In the second presentation, Prof. Jaberg highlighted the fact that the main function of pumps is to supply energy to the system, where the actual energy consumption occurs, while the pumps themselves consume hardly any energy. Accordingly, energy for pumps is primarily a transitory item.

In the presentation "Potential for Energy Savings through Optimizing the Operating Frequency," Michael Könen and Thomas Heng from KSB presented a study that analyzes savings potential in the pump itself by adjusting the operating speed. The authors argue against tightening the Minimum Efficiency Index (MEI) and instead rely on the Extended Product Approach (EPA). The results show that a demand-based operating speed enables significantly greater energy savings than optimization based on MEI alone. The Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) proves to be a more suitable evaluation criterion. A blanket tightening of the MEI, however, could inhibit innovation and should be reconsidered.

Dr. Vogeler from BASF presented various approaches to increasing efficiency in industrial plants under the title "Energy-efficient pumps – potential in plant planning." The focus was on both CO₂ savings and cost-effectiveness. The measures presented demonstrate that energy-efficient pump systems are cost-effective in the long term despite higher investment costs – particularly when applying the life cycle cost approach.

In the Positive Displacement Pumps section, Arne Götzel from HYDROWATT (see photo) presented a hermetically sealed high-pressure pump with operating pressures of up to 600 bar. The new development is based on the innovative AXIFLEX® expanded-shell piston design, which enables high efficiency and reliability in a compact design. The pump is characterized by easy maintenance and high power density, but requires defined operating parameters: a pre-pressure of 5–8 bar, a minimum speed of 500 rpm, and use with chemically neutral fluids up to 90°C.

From the wastewater pumping sector, Oliver Langen from SEEPEX presented the process "Revolutionizing the transport of dewatered sewage sludge with Smart Air Injection (SAI) at minimal life cycle costs." This is an innovative technology that combines progressing cavity pumps with pneumatic dense-phase conveying. The goal is an energy-efficient and low-maintenance conveying system for highly viscous media over long distances. Numerous successful installations demonstrate the system's practical suitability and demonstrate significant potential for reducing energy and maintenance costs. The three-day specialist program was accompanied by a varied supporting program.