New steam powered pump
The UK based company Pursuit Dynamics has completed initial testing of a steam powered pumping system. The pump contains no moving parts, is virtually impossible to block and can handle solids up to the same diameter as the inlet pipe.
In addition, the pump has mixing and multiple entrainment capabilities.
Testing commenced at the beginning of the month in the newly installed pumping circuit at the Company's research facility in Royston, Hertfordshire. The system's capabilities were tested and flow and pressure head characteristics measured. A low steam pressure unit (4.5 bar) capable of handling solids of 45 millimetres diameter achieved a flow rate of over 45,000 litres per hour, and a head capability greater than 9 metres (40% flow). The head capability is expected to increase with the adoption of higher steam pressures (approximately 30 bar) in service.
In tests, the pump successfully transported a wide range of media including: sand, gravel, cloth, plastic, rope and highly viscous mixtures. The pump utilises a standing supersonic shockwave to enhance performance. This unique feature has also been successfully demonstrated as an efficient macerator of high fluid content solids.
Maintenance costs in service of the pump are expected to be negligible.
Numerous potential commercial applications for the pumping system have identified for which additional patent applications have been lodged.
Marine drive technology
Work on the development of the marine propulsion system remains on track. The Company is in discussions with two organisations regarding the design and manufacture of a suitable steam generator for the recreational and light commercial marine markets. This represents the last significant challenge to bringing the Pursuit Marine Drive to its initial market.
About Pursuit Dynamics
Listed on London's Alternative Investment Market, Pursuit Dynamics plc holds the detailed intellectual property rights of the Pursuit Marine Drive and associated technologies. The company was formed to develop the concept through to market.
Pursuit Dynamics maintains a significant technical resource at Royston in the UK, where product development takes place. The Headquarters include a state-of-the-art design, testing and analysis facility which is run by a highly qualified specialist team.
