EFFICIENT PUMPS The newly designed KSB impeller delivers improved features for centrifugal high-pressure pumps
To improve the quality of suction of its Movitec multistage centrifugal high-pressure pumps, pumps manufacturer KSB Group developed a new impeller that can be used with a number of Movitec variants without modifying the outer pump casing.
The new impeller, which is offered as an alternative to the standard product, comprises a modified inlet diameter. The impeller includes a newly designed stage casing, which serves to improve the net positive suction head of a pump and vanes that allow a slightly diagonal throughflow.
The multistage centrifugal pumps from KSB’s Movitec range are designed for handling fluids such as water, coolants, condensate and mineral oils. The pumps are ideal for industrial boiler feed installations in steam circuits, recirculation and firefighting systems. Use can also range from cooling water circuits and washing plants to pressure boosting in general process applications.
KSB Group maintains that the newly developed impeller is useful in applications with critical inlet conditions such as boiler feed applications, as well as applications in which the pump is required to take in water from low-lying tanks or at higher temperatures. The company states that, under these conditions, a pressure drop in the intake area may cause cavitation to occur in the first pump stage. This can result in excessive wear of pump parts or motor bearings as well as a reduced service life of the pump, owing to damaged parts and an unbalanced hydraulic system.