Rapid flow measurements for checking system parameters in pumping systems
KSB Service GmbH uses the KATflow 200 portable ultrasonic flow meter to precisely inspect and optimise pump systems in the field. The non-invasive clamp-on technology enables fast, flexible measurements on a wide variety of pipework, thereby supporting maintenance, efficiency analyses and the design of systems tailored to specific requirements.
KSB Service relies on KATflow 200 for mobile flow measurements in plant maintenance
KSB SE & Co. KGaA is a leading manufacturer of innovative products and solutions in the field of pumps, valves, actuators, frequency converters and control systems. The company supplies system components tailored to customer requirements for every conceivable application category, ranging from heating circulation pumps to larger-scale pump components in nuclear power stations. Depending on the properties of the fluid and the intended use, the range of components and system solutions requested by customers also varies, as it makes a significant difference to the technical design of pumps whether ultra-pure water or fluids with higher solids content are to be transported.
The integrated service subsidiary, KSB Service GmbH, provides support for the products brought to market by the parent company. Its responsibilities include commissioning, repairs, the supply of spare parts, engineering consultancy (for example, on the life cycle of pumps) and, above all, the maintenance and servicing of the installed pump technology on site. During their assignments, service staff use portable KATflow 200 ultrasonic flowmeters to compare flow rates with measurements taken using installed on-site instrumentation and to confirm that pumps are actually delivering the performance specified in the technical data. Measurements taken on existing units enable conclusions to be drawn as to whether the use of different pumps would be more efficient, whether existing components need to be replaced, or whether installed systems need to be modified. The volumetric flow measurements taken with KATflow thus provide valuable insights for pump design and the sizing of systems.
Over the course of a life cycle, operating conditions – and consequently the demands placed on pumps – may change. Special fluids, varying densities and viscosities affect the service life of pumps, which is why regular inspection of installed pump systems is not only advisable but essential. Drinking water systems, in which parameters change due to fluctuating population figures – caused by people moving in, moving out or residential areas expanding – provide a further example of the urgency of regular inspections and adjustments. Determining energy consumption and assessing potential savings in the systems – for example, when they are retrofitted or modified – form part of KSB Service GmbH’s extended remit.
The non-invasive, portable KATflow 200 clamp-on flow meter is a “very useful tool for these technical assignments”, according to Mr Steffen Scholz, Head of the Dresden/Schwarzheide Service Centre at KSB Service GmbH. “The measurement technology is intuitive to use, the menu navigation is clear, and the devices are efficient to handle.” Overall, a “rising demand for this type of handheld technology” can be predicted, Mr Scholz continues. The positioning of the transducers is guided via the handheld unit using an acoustic “sensor positioning assistant”. The sensors are quickly secured using clips and chains, and the portable KATflow 200 is ready for immediate use once a few measurement parameters have been entered. KSB Service GmbH offers a wide range of applications for the ultrasonic flow meter. Potential measurement locations include all types of pipework with diameters between DN 12.5 and 1000.
