THE Denmark-based Grundfos, a global leader in pumps, is strongly focusing on the wastewater market and plans to release several new products aimed at this segment.

The wastewater segment is the fastest-growing business area for the company, which has increased the range of products immensely following the acquisition of a company in Finland in 2000.
The company will launch in June its unique SE series which are sophisticated pumps for demanding wastewater applications.
Grundfos will also soon launch modular controls, an entirely new product for pump management, large Digital Dosing pumps that take precision to a new level, new mixers and recirculation pumps.
“The palette of products we can offer the market gives us the strength; whether it’s in building services, irrigation or wastewater,’’ says Carlo Prola, group executive vice-president. “We can promise substance in wastewater.’’
Specially designed with wastewater, process water and unscreened raw sewage in mind, the SE pumps come in motor-sizes ranging from 1.1 kW to 11 kW, which are suited for medium-sized companies.
The SE pumps comprise two different ranges depending on their impellers. Customers can choose between an energy-efficient, single-channel impeller or the patented SuperVortex impeller for applications where large quantities of solids, gassy sludge, abrasive materials or fibres are anticipated.
Known as the SE1 and SEV pumps, respectively, both versions can provide free passage of solids up to 100 mm. This greatly reduces the risk of clogging, thereby minimising downtime and operating costs.
The range comprises the following models: SEV.65, SEV.80, SEV.100, SE1.50, SE1.80 and SE1.100.
“With these pumps, we are setting a new standard and we are confident about success,’’ says a spokesman for Grundfos.
The pumps are designed to handle wastewater, process water and unscreened raw sewage in demanding applications. They are excellent for utilities and industries everywhere, he says.
The main features of SE1 and SEV ranges are:

• Liquid-less motor cooling: The SE range takes a new approach to motor cooling, eliminating the need for cooling liquid. A solid block stator housing transfers excess heat to the pumped liquid in the pump housing. This means that continuous operation can be maintained in partly-submerged and dry-installation systems;
• Unique cable entry design: A polyurethane-filled stainless steel plug hermetically seals the cable entry point. This eliminates any risk of water entering the motor though the cable;
• Hard-wearing cartridge seal design: A special single-unit cartridge seal combining the primary and secondary mechanical shaft seals provides a seal solution that is very durable and easy to replace;
• Stainless steel motor jacket: Extremely robust impact-resistant stainless steel motor-housing jacket provides a sleek look while ensuring corrosion free service;
• Stainless steel clamp: A special clamp assembly system enables quick and easy access for service and inspection, without any need for special tools;
• Heavy-duty ball-bearings: Double row of angular-contact, maintenance-free lower ball-bearings protect against axial and side forces. Secure correct positioning of impeller in pump housing and provide longer lifetime;
• Modular design: Each motor size fits several pump sizes and channel-impeller or SuperVortex hydraulics; and
• SmartSeal: The patented Grundfos SmartSeal, mounted on guide claw, provides leak-proof connection, which optimises the efficiency of the pump system and keeps running costs minimum.

The pumps can be permanently installed by means of an auto-coupling guide rail system or with fixed pipe connection, submerged or dry without separate motor cooling arrangements. They are suitable for free-standing installation or as portable pumps.
Also, due to the efficient liquid-less motor cooling system, the SE1 and SEV pumps are suitable for continuous operation in dry installations – either vertical or horizontal – to suit specific applications.
The SE1 and SEV ranges are designed for maximum flexibility. The quick-detachable motor units are interchangeable for both channel impeller and SuperVortex pumps.
 The Grundfos SE pumps are suitable for transferring large quantities of drainage and surface water, sewage from private pumping stations, sewage from commercial buildings, unscreened sewage in municipalities, unscreened sewage in wastewater treatment plants, return sludge in treatment plants, industrial wastewater, industrial process water and raw water applications.
The SEV pumps are designed for the transfer of large quantities of drainage and surface water containing abrasive particles from underground parking areas etc, wastewater from large car wash plants, sewage from pumping stations and commercial buildings, unscreened sewage in municipalities, primary sludge in treatment plants, sludge and fibre-containing industrial wastewater, abrasive industrial process water.
Grundfos also has a wide range of heavy-duty and super heavy duty pumps ranging up to 520 kW), which are manufactured in a plant near Helsinki, Finland.
It also provides complete wastewater solution with its pre-fabricated pumping stations.

Modular controls
The new multi-purpose pump control system from Grundfos, which will be released later this year, combines superior technology with a modular approach to ensure the customer gets the exact level of interaction and has the complete control, says the spokesman.
The system can be easily upgraded whether it is hardware or software. It offers easy installation, commissioning and service.

Digital dosing
The Digital Dosing pumps from Grundfos are acclaimed for their pulsation-free dosing and unprecedented user-friendliness. The company has used innovative technology to expand the Digital Pump range, allowing it to handle liquids in larger quantities. The large digital dosing pumps combine complete accuracy with greater flexibility. With the new DME pumps, the updated product line covers the range from 2.5 ml to 940 litres per hour.
With an annual production of more than 10 million pump units, Grundfos’ main ranges at present are circulator pumps (CP), submersible pumps (SP), and centrifugal pumps (CR).  The company is the world’s largest manufacturer of circulator pumps, covering approximately 50 per cent of the world market for these pumps, says the spokesman.
Grundfos attaches great importance to R&D and reduction of power consumption by the pumps produced by it, says the spokesman. DKK 464 million ($75 million) was used for research and development expenses in 2003, he adds.
Pumps account for around 20 per cent of the world’s total power consumption. As a result, there is excellent potential for environmental conservation by simply reducing the power consumption during the pumps’ service life, the spokesman concludes.