COMPARISON OF SELF-PRIMERS: A Customer Lead Field Test

BY DAVID HASKINS, SOUTHWEST REGIONAL MANAGER

I call on numerous accounts weekly. A question that often arises is “Which pump is best?”

While this certainly varies from application to application, I tend to like to see performance to make that determination. My experience in college football and 15 years of professional wrestling taught me that ‘talk is cheap’ and that true winners will shine in a competition.

Last month I witnessed a test conducted by KRP Rentals in Odessa, Texas. They wanted to test a 4 inch Cornell pump against 4 inch pumps from Gorman Rupp and Summitt. KRP would use the winner on some new water transfer packages.

The pumps were all operated on the same model 40 HP engines, turning at 1800 RPM. KRP was most concerned with the amount of water the pumps could push through in the test. The clear winner was the Cornell 4ST Self Primer. The 4ST pumped right at 700 GPM, while the competitors were able to produce only 550 GPM. Cornell had more than 27 percent greater flow than the others, operating at the same conditions.

They are not going to “crown” champs in the question of which is the best pump, but I submit that the Cornell 4ST is worthy of the laurels of a champion.

CANADA PUMP AND POWER UTILIZES HYDRAULIC SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS IN UNIQUE APPLICATIONS

BY JEFF JOHNSON, MINING AND INDUSTRIAL MARKET MANAGER

Abrasive slurry, temperature swings of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, remote locations…any of these things would test a pump system. Canada Pump and Power’s hydraulic pump platforms face all three obstacles to transfer solids out of waste ponds.

In service for more than two years, CPP’s Hydraulic Tiller Dredge utilizes a Cornell hydraulic submersible 6NNT pump married with a CAT engine to remove bitumen from a retention pond. The pump package sits atop a six-foot long Caterpillar Landscape tiller. The tiller is lowered to the bottom of the pond and feeds constant slurry into the pump. The highly abrasive slurry contains harsh bitumen solids, coursing through the pump at 2,000 gallons per minute.

CCP utilizes a package, consisting of a Cornell 6NNT and a Caterpillar tiller in another challenging application. In order to pump sludge out of ponds, the package had to be able to rapidly change locations, change pump depths, and tackle thick particulates. CPP’s ingeniously placed the hydraulic submersible pump on the end of a John Deere 410 excavator, replacing the Deere’s bucket with the pump and tiller. The excavator’s hydraulic system powers the pump. The pump is submerged in the sludge, and then the excavator boom moves the pump around like an egg beater to dredge out the pond.

Canada Pump and Power has found the durability, reliability, and easy maintenance of Cornell pumps to be keys to operating in the tough conditions and challenging environment.

AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HELPS KNIFE RIVER CONSTRUCTION WITH CORNELL TECHNOLOGY

BY JAMES QUILLIN, MOUNTAIN WEST REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

American Industrial of Livermore California emphasizes first-class customer service, in acquiring and retaining pump system customers.  For the last 8 years, they have brought that customer service focus to their relationship with Knife River Construction. Knife River, operating an aggregate sand/gravel plant in Marysville California, is the ninth largest aggregate producer and the sixth largest sand/gravel producer in the country. Nationwide during their peak season, they employ over 5000 people.

The Marysville plant had purchased some abrasive handling cantilever vertical pumps based on advertised efficiency.  They needed these barge mounted pumps for a large pit dewatering project.  Their target was aggregate material contained around the pit.  This was a challenge, because the dig site was located on top of an underground river.  As they continued to dig down, river water would seep into the pit. The vertical pumps were not performing to expectations. The engineer in charge, an alumni and avid OREGON STATE Beaver fan, Knife River’s Ben Carlson, needed an economical solution to the ineffective water transfer.  As they would say in Beaver land, he needed to “sink his teeth into the problem”.

Brandon Bivona of American Industrial Equipment proposed using Cornell pumps as an efficient solution to the seepage and transfer. Brandon has employed many Cornell pumps in solving customer issues; ranging from wash down problems, efficiencies, trash handling concerns, and many more. In each instance, he found Cornell a helpful partner in providing solutions. American Industrial consulted with Andrew Enterline at the Cornell plant in Clackamas, Oregon. Their idea was to barge mount some pumps at a 45 degree angle to maintain efficiency and minimize suction lift. Ben Carlson designed a 4x3 foot strainer basket with a solid steel top to prevent vortex. With utility costs at a parsimonious rate nearly 25 cents per kilowatt in Northern California, efficiency was absolutely paramount.

After examining the application and consulting between Knife River, American Industrial, and Cornell, two Cornell 12NHTB-F18DB pumps utilizing grease lubed bearing frames were deemed most appropriate. The NHTB solids handling pump line from Cornell is one of the many workhorses of the company’s rugged lineup. The plant was already using two Toshiba premium mill duty 200HP motors that were relatively new.  Thanks to the performance of the Cornell pumps, they were able to economically use their existing motors.   Based on the differences in efficiencies , Ben Carlson estimates his yearly energy savings at nearly $10,000 per pump, not to mention the increase productivity levels.  

  “It was a great experience working with Cornell Pumps and American Industrial Equipment to source these very efficient and high quality American made pumps,” said Carlson. “Cornell’s engineer (Andrew Enterline) was very helpful in providing the information necessary to prefabricate the pump bases for this unique installation.  The pumps will improve our efficiency over the pumps we had been using, and provide a quick payback on the upgrade costs.  The direct drive configuration will reduce the maintenance, which is a big hassle given the floating configuration of these pumps.  We have been very impressed with the performance of these pumps.  They have exceeded our expectations with how fast they are able to lower the water level when needed for our operation.”

HYDRO-TRANSPORTING FOOD: Best Practices for Food Processing Pumps

By Dave Young, Northwest regional manager:

Processing plants look for continuous and trouble-free operation from a pump capable of transporting even the most delicate whole food products or processed foods, while keeping product damage to a minimum. This ensures the highest profits for the plant.

Cornell pumps help hydro-transfer systems to clean and convey potatoes, carrots, cranberries, pickles, cherries, beans, peppers, leafy vegetables, crawfish, shrimp, and hatchery fish. As a consumer you encounter food products daily that have been hydro-transported; in fact, most packaged salad producers use food handling pumps to process and transport products, without damage, for the fresh pack industry.

Mechanical conveyors and hydraulic elevators designed to process and transport products have been on the market for years. However, the hydraulic conveyance of food products provided by hydro-transport food handling pumps represents a superior alternative due, to the enhanced economics associated with the simultaneous transport and processing of the product.

The following are suggested steps to take when using and installing a food processing pump for hydro-transfer.

The vortex should be controlled so that air is not drawn into the pump

• Although the pump capacity required will depend upon the tonnage to be handled, the pump preferably should be selected so that it will operate at its point of peak efficiency or slightly to the left of this point on the characteristic curve. This induces a pre-rotation in the suction eye resulting in reduced product damage on the leading edge of the impeller.
• The speed of the pump should be selected to meet the head requirements of the system. Heads up to 110 ft. have been successful with some foods. The system should be designed to keep the head as low as possible.
• The ratio of water to food solids should be as great as is practical or economical. One to three gallons per pound is the general range.
• A pump with a single port food handling impeller is recommended for most foods. A pump with a bladed impeller can cause damage.
• Food solids should be carefully separated from the liquid at the dewatering screen as this is a common point of product damage.
• For new uses, it is recommended that the first pumping unit be installed with a provision for variable speed operation and observation of condition of the product after passing through the pump. There is evidence that short radius elbows, rough pipe joints or beads inside the welded pipe can cause more damage to foods than the pump itself. A velocity in the pipe of 5 feet per second should be tried first, as this velocity appears to be above the critical for movement of food suspensions without clogging. When pumping food with hot water, contact the pump manufacturer for the required minimum suction head to obtain performance comparable with cold water.

CORNELL AND TEKDRAULICS HOST REGIONAL PUMP SCHOOL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

BY DAN THOMPSON, MUNICIPAL MARKET MANAGER

Cornell Pump teamed with Tekdraulics to bring a regional pump school to more than 85 water district operators at Irvine Ranch Water District, on May 16, 2012. This exciting extension on our popular pump school was designed to reach those professionals who might not get a chance to attend our premier Pump School in Portland, but who are interested in receiving quality instruction about pumps.

The enthusiastic group covered a variety of topics, including basic hydraulics, pump selection and applications, troubleshooting, NPSH/ HI standards, and a crowd favorite—a demonstration of Cornell’s new cutter pump as it relates to waste water applications. Jim Denton of Tekdraulics was instrumental in getting the pump school to Southern California. Cornell salutes his efforts in making it happen. We also wish to thank Irvine Ranch Water District for use of their facility to hold the school.

Attendees were able to receive CWEA operator credits—and apply these credit hours to those needed to keep their certification current.

“More than 15 different municipalities participated,” observed Denton. “We had great learning, participation, and networking. The day was valuable for attendees.“

CORNELL NOW STOCKING MANY PUMPS IN CD4MCu

6NHTA NOW AVAILABLE in CD4MCu

Availability of Pumps Pushed Prices Down Significantly:

Cornell Pump Company will have many popular models of our pumps made out of CD4MCu, including 4414T, 6NHTA, 8NNT models available for quick delivery beginning in July 2012. This is a significant change, according to Robert Ray, Cornell’s president, “Having the castings in house lets us significantly reduce the time of production; shaving more than six weeks off of delivery. And in addition to faster production of the pumps, we also are able to lower prices—some by as much as 40 percent, because of the economies of scale.”

CD4MCu is a duplex metal alloy, with the same corrosive resistance as 316 stainless steel, but with the added benefit of being much more abrasive resistant. Common uses for CD4MCu pumps are in mining and seawater applications. These pumps will last for long periods of service, when a standard cast iron pump might fail in two weeks.

Cornell has sold CD4MCu pumps for mining gold and other instances where sulfuric acid is required to process the metal. The CD4MCu pump is able to handle the abrasive and corrosive solutions pumped in the process. We have also installed pumps in aquatic applications, especially where brackish or deionized water needs to be transported.

If you have a need for CD4MCu pump please contact your Cornell sales representative. Cornell’s aggressive pricing and shortened lead time should be very enticing for those who need the longevity, dependability, and the corrosive and abrasive resistant of these pumps.

Cornell Pump Unveils New Collateral

With the arrival of our new website, even more Cornell Pump information is available for download. Several new brochures are available, including:



Water Transfer Hydraulic Fracturing. This brochure details how Cornell pumps aid in the search for wet and dry natural gas, as well as oil through hydraulic fracturing. Provided is a family curve for our most popular water transfer pumps.

Refrigeration. An update of a classic! Cornell Pump has been an industry leader in refrigeration pumps for more than 35 years. New brochure features open drive and hermetic refrigeration pumps from Cornell.

Manure. Manure pumps are an important component of Cornell’s agricultural offerings. Our new brochure highlights how our pumps are efficient and dependable for this market segment.

All materials can be downloaded from www.cornellpump.com. Hard copies can be sent from Cornell Pump Marketing—please contact us at info@cornellpump.com

Pump School less than three months away!

Click image for PUMP SCHOOL REGISTRATION FORM

September 18 and 19, 2012 Hundreds will learn, network, and enjoy in Portland.

For more than 65 years, Cornell Pump Company has promoted learning about hydraulics, fluid dynamics, pump design and maintenance at our annual Pump School. One of the very first pump schools in the country, Cornell’s Pump School has helped tens of thousands of attendees learn about pumps and pump technology.

Last year we sold out—register soon to ensure your spot.

See you at Pump School.

Indonesian Mine Dewatering Relies on Cornell Pumps

BY BILL Grealish, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL SALES:

Cornell Pump Company continues to forge ahead in the mining market and recently entered into Indonesia through an Australian distributor. Working intimately with our distributor to come up with a modified version of the popular, successful MX mining series pump, Cornell engineering was able to design an alternative sealing arrangement consisting of industrial grade packing versus the traditional Cycloseal® option standard on all mining pumps. This sealing option is required in Indonesia, as the local mines appear to be very reluctant to use mechanical seals, based on the increased downtime required to change out a seal versus packing. The first two units were delivered in April 2012 with eight subsequent pumps to be installed by mid-summer. Future MX series plan to have a dual option of a packing / seal stuffing box design to accommodate all customers in the mining market.

The distributor reports that the pump is very robust, and holding up well. The silt is busting pipes, but not affecting the operation of the pump. Just another example of Cornell engineering innovation.

MORE INFO. MORE OPTIONS. MORE EFFICIENT.

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