Press release
Control Techniques
For immediate release
Contact: Katie OWEN
katie.owen@emerson.com
COMPREHENSIVE PUMP CONTROL SOLUTION FOR ANTI-RAGGING AND
PUMP CLEANSING FROM CONTROL TECHNIQUES
At a time when water companies are under increasing pressure to improve
services, against a background of increasing operating costs and rising energy
bills, extreme weather events and rising ecological expectations, the optimising of
the performance of assets is critical.
One area that has been identified as not only a major cost and one that is
disruptive to routine operations is ‘ragging’ – a long standing pumping problem
suffered by water companies, where pumps are partially or fully blocked in waste
water systems.
Manual Clearing is a costly and unpleasant task requiring a
maintenance team and frequently a crane. Downtime may extend to several days
during which time the back-up systems are under additional pressure.
A total
system failure can result in effluent leakage with implications for the environment,
human health, clean-up costs and breaches of legislation.
Solutions claiming to overcome this serious problem have been introduced, some
more effective than others. One company, Control Techniques, offers a proven
complete package that is believed to be the most technically complete and costeffective on the market.
Control Techniques Intelligent Pump Control (IPC) system, is the comprehensive
answer to ragging, delivering measurable improvements in pump reliability, uptime
and performance. As well as saving thousands of £’s in operating expenses IPC
system installations have also produced energy savings of up to 15% due to the
improved running efficiency of the pumps.
Control Techniques, Unit 79 Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown, SY16 4LE, UK
T: +44 (0) 1686 612000, F: +44 (0) 1686 612999
e-mail: controltechniques@emerson.com www.controltechniques.com
Press release
Control Techniques
“IPC is unique in that it measures ‘live’ active current in real time, on-board the
drive” explains Control Techniques’ UK Water Manager, Brian Redpath. Unlike
competitors’ systems that measure the motor’s nominal current – a measurement
that can give an error of up to 30-40% for required effective monitoring of
impending ragging. “Our system measures Active Current (Impeller true torque
component) every millisecond. As soon as IPC sees a change in the active current
set profile, an automated cleansing cycle is instantly initiated to clear the pump
impeller.
Over three years Control Techniques has built up a successful base of IPC
applications with several of the Major UK water companies as well as installations
in Ireland.
Control Techniques’ IPC system accurately monitors pump performance, including
flow and pump speed where appropriate. The live data is compared to measured
values taken during commissioning, plus expected pump profile characteristics.
Any ‘out of profile’ performance is instantly detected, giving an early warning
indication of ragging. Should the pump ‘out of profile’ performance extend the
profile settings, an automatic drive based cleansing cycle is initiated to clear the
pump impeller.
The system is totally embedded within the drive itself, eliminating the need for
external Programming (PLC) , monitoring or control equipment.
Control
Techniques have developed two levels of IPC functionality; IPC Lite and IPC Pro,
to meet the needs of the broadest range of pump applications;
IPC LITE
Provides ragging detection and cleansing at low cost on pumps rated at less than
132kW.
Control Techniques, Unit 79 Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown, SY16 4LE, UK
T: +44 (0) 1686 612000, F: +44 (0) 1686 612999
e-mail: controltechniques@emerson.com www.controltechniques.com
Press release
Control Techniques
IPC PRO
Full featured multi-pump control for pumps rated to 1.9MW, with anti-ragging
programme, duty control, fault status and back-up, ‘dry run’ protection and
cleansing routines. Compatible with telemetry systems, plus a watchdog alarm
feature.
IPC Pro – Options:
HMI - providing customers with a clear window on the pumping control operations
and also instant data logging facility for pump efficiency and energy usage.
Ethernet TCP/IP based solutions for remote monitoring and operation.
Drive based remote telemetry station capability.
“Every site is different,” adds Brian Redpath, “IPC is totally flexible, able to be
configured to meet customer’s applications. It works equally effectively on wet and
dry well installations and also treatment works pumps”.
As well as detecting and preventing ragging, IPC systems also provide several
other intelligent performance optimisation functions, such as surge prevention to
protect rising mains, and wear monitoring of pumps. The system also detects low
flow (dry run conditions).
In the unusual event of a major blockage that cannot be automatically cleared,
successive cleansing routines are prevented to protect the pump by performing a
system lock-out and raising a telemetry alarm.”
-Ends634 Words
Control Techniques, Unit 79 Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown, SY16 4LE, UK
T: +44 (0) 1686 612000, F: +44 (0) 1686 612999
e-mail: controltechniques@emerson.com www.controltechniques.com
Press release
Control Techniques
Notes to the Editor:
About Control Techniques
Control Techniques, an Emerson Industrial Automation company, is a world leader in the
design, production and marketing of electronic variable speed drives for the control of
electric motors. Our strategy is to concentrate on delivering drives and servo products
that enhance the productivity of our customer’s machines and processes.
We operate through a global network of Drive Centres and Application Centres that both
distribute product and add value by building our drive products into custom designed
systems and by offering the highest levels of customer service.
Our Control Techniques Drive Centres also provide us with invaluable feedback and
market intelligence so that we can further improve our products and service. This
customer focused strategy will enable us to continue to grow profitably.
Our competitive edge is based on our unique focus on drives, our strength in research
and development, our investment low-cost manufacturing and an effective worldwide
marketing strategy.
For the best in drives information visit our website: www.controltechniques.com
About Emerson Industrial Automation
Emerson Industrial Automation, a business of Emerson, is a global technology provider
that enables productivity, efficiency and quality gains for customers across a spectrum of
industries. Our products include alternators, electric motors and drives, electrical
distribution devices and mechanical power transmission, fluid automation and ultrasonic
joining solutions. Emerson brands include Appleton, ASCO, Branson Ultrasonics,
Browning, Control Techniques, Kop-Flex, Leroy-Somer, McGill, Morse, Numatics, OZ/Gedney, Rollway, SealMaster, and System Plast. For more information, visit
www.EmersonIndustrialAutomation.com.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology
and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and
consumer markets through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate
technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2009 were $20.9 billion. For more
information, visit www.Emerson.com.
For editorial information contact:
Katie Owen, Press Officer, Control Techniques Ltd, Drive Centre Marketing,
Ty Rheoli, Unit 79 Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown, Powys SY16 4LE
Tel: 01686 612900. Fax: 01686 612999. katie.owen@emerson.com
Control Techniques, Unit 79 Mochdre Industrial Estate, Newtown, SY16 4LE, UK
T: +44 (0) 1686 612000, F: +44 (0) 1686 612999
e-mail: controltechniques@emerson.com www.controltechniques.com