Print this pageLow Capacity
Many operating systems suffer from under-performance where the flow actually being delivered on a day-to-day basis fails to reach the design and duty flow. This is a major problem for designers and operators alike.
We often receive enquiries regarding this under-capacity in pumped systems eg. systems that are failing to reach either a specified consent flow or design rate. Often there is uncertainty (or even dispute) over the cause of the low capacity, which may have arisen over a period of time. But there is always a real imperative to cure the problem and restore capacity.
In a typical pumped system problems may be due to:
- Suction side of the pumps (including sump design, NPSH etc)
- Pump performance, wear, air entrainment
- Station pipe work
- High losses or blockages in the delivery pipeline and mains.
The correct identification of the cause of the low capacity is essential in allowing cost effective solutions to be developed.
The use of computer simulation along with a comparison to current operating data taken, from either existing SCADA/DCS or by site testing, can provide a very cost effective way of identifying which part of the system is the most likely cause of the problem and the development of possible options to improve performance.
