News from the IFAT 2005 – Part 1

This year’s IFAT will act as ABS’ launch pad to introduce the company’s new business focus - wastewater technology. To make the message of the transformation even clearer, ABS unveils a new profile including a new logo. ABS has broadened its scope of treatment applications and merged all brands and businesses into a complete offering of wastewater technology solutions. At this year’s IFAT, ABS offers for the first time complete solutions throughout the wastewater process with competence in aeration technology, compressors, control & monitoring and service & asset management.

The combination of the well-known ABS NOPON submersible aerator mixers and disc diffuser systems with ABS High Speed Turbocompressors make a complete engineered solution that offers truly reliable aeration processes and energy-savings for treatment plants. The range of control & monitoring equipment has been completed with new series of controllers for pumping stations; PC 11/12 for basic domestic applications, and the sophisticated PC 20/21 for use in commercial buildings and in municipal applications, equipped with optional telemetry and colour display. Also, ABS’ control & monitoring software AquaVision will be presented, with new web functionality for smooth and flexible alarm handling and surveillance. Furthermore, ABS presents a new alarm handling device; a telemetry unit for retrofit and upgrade.

Among other product news is the ABS submersible sewage pump, AFP-ME, reducing operating costs thanks to the unique CONTRABLOCK hydraulic system for blockage-free pumping. Lower power consumption is ensured by high efficiency motors. Serviceability and maintenance are optimized thanks to modular design and a new closed cooling system. Smaller ABS sewage pumps up to 22 kW will be on display with an optional closed cooling system and added high head hydraulics, as well as new submersible sewage pumps in stainless steel up to 125 kW. Other news at IFAT are additions to the ABS PIRANHA submersible grinder pump family, new versions of lifting stations SANIMAT and PIRANHAMAT for above ground indoor applications, and ABS lifting station SYNCONTA for below ground outdoor applications. Furthermore, new models of ABS submersible propeller pumps VUP will be displayed, as well as new impellers to the ABS submersible mixed flow column pump AFL.

Alfa Laval demonstrated its commitment to customer service with a range of star-rated Performance Agreements designed to enhance the performance of processes and extend the life of pumps and other equipment. According to Alfa Laval, there are four levels of the Performance Agreement, ranging from the basic ”One Star” to the fully comprehensive ”Four Star”. With four levels to choose from, customers will be able to tailor a plan to their specific needs; a task that is simplified by the fact that a comprehensive site and equipment audit is carried out before any plan is implemented. There are several key benefits, which are common to all. Principal among these, of course, is the ability to take closer control of service and maintenance costs and set the budget in advance. Performance Agreement customers will also be given priority when it comes to spares availability and allocation of Service Engineers’ time. At the premium, 4 star level, this also includes availability and uptime guarantees that ensure the highest possible security to customers.

With their new AENZ series Allweiler has developed an eccentric screw pump that is specially suited for pumped fluids containing a high portion of solids. The intake end consists of a funnel with an integrated screw. The new pump replaces two previous construction series and provides several advantages for the industrial user: Its maximum solid content of 38 percent is almost double that of its precursors. The new pump offers the user economic advantages in price and in operation because it is constructed of standardised components. This means that spares are more rapidly available and thus requiring less extensive storage. For fluids containing an even higher portions of solids Allweiler also offers a pump with a double screw - the RG series.

The second main focus are dry installation propeller pumps known as PT range. Built specially for high pumping volumes in sewage basins, they are driven with tried and trusted, economical standard motors. Because the motor is dry installed, there is no need for a shaft seal. The result is low maintenance costs, simpler and faster service. These pumps are typically used as recirculation pumps.

The DIG series by Alma Pompe is a wastewater drainage pump for heavy duty usage in building applications. This easy to transport submersible pump can also be used when not fully submerged and in its stainless steel version has a cooling jacket. A micro contact switch protects the motor from overheating in case of insufficient cooling.

Caprari introduces the new K+ series with completely redesigned electric motors. They offer increased efficiency and a wider application range for temperatures as low as –20°C. Further optimizations enhance the level of standardization and the reliability for extreme operating conditions. Altogether, the LCC costs could be lowered thanks to the design changes in comparison with the previous models.

EDUR introduces a new temperature control device for mechanical seals. It consists of an electronic control device and a temperature sensor which is mounted to the stationary ring of the mechanical seal. The output voltage is used for switching off the pump to prevent damage or to ensure Atex control of the pump. According to the manufacturer, handling and installation are easy since extensive configurations are unnecessary due to factory settings.