Rapid flow measurements for verifying system parameters in pump systems
KSB Service GmbH uses the KATflow 200 portable ultrasonic flow meter to precisely inspect and optimize pump systems in the field. The non-invasive clamp-on technology enables fast, flexible measurements on a wide variety of pipes, thereby supporting maintenance, efficiency analyses, and the needs-based design of systems.
KSB Service Relys 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 fields of pumps, valves, actuators, variable-frequency drives, 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 plants. Depending on the properties of the fluid and the intended application, the range of components and system solutions requested by customers also varies, as it makes a significant difference for the technical design of pumps whether ultrapure water or fluids with higher solids content are to be transported.
The integrated service subsidiary, KSB Service GmbH, provides support for the products that the parent company brings to market. Its responsibilities include commissioning, repairs, spare parts supply, engineering consulting (for example, regarding the life cycle of pumps), and, above all, the maintenance and servicing of installed pump systems on-site. During their field assignments, service technicians use portable KATflow 200 ultrasonic flow meters to compare volumetric flow rates with measurements taken by installed on-site measurement equipment and to confirm that pumps are actually delivering the performance specified in their technical data. Measurements taken on existing units allow conclusions to be drawn as to whether using different pumps would be more efficient, whether existing components need to be replaced, or whether installed systems need to be retrofitted. The volumetric flow measurements with KATflow thus provide valuable insights for pump design and system sizing.
Over the course of a pump’s lifecycle, operating conditions—and thus the demands placed on pumps—can change. Special fluids, varying densities, and viscosities affect the service life of pumps, which is why regular inspections of installed pump systems are not only advisable but necessary. Drinking water systems, in which parameters change due to fluctuating population numbers—resulting from people moving in, moving out, or residential area expansions—provide another example of the urgency of regular inspections and adjustments. Determining energy consumption and assessing potential savings for the systems—for example, when they are retrofitted or modified—are part of the expanded scope of services offered by KSB Service GmbH.
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 Center 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 “growing demand for this type of handheld technology” can likely be predicted, Mr. Scholz added. The positioning of the transducers is guided by the handheld device 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 after entering a few measurement parameters. KSB Service GmbH offers a wide range of applications for the ultrasonic flowmeter. Potential measurement locations include all types of piping between DN 12.5 and 1000.
