Picking the Right Pump Combination for

Closed Pressure Zone

Tom Walski
© 2014 Bentley Systems, Incorporated
 Problem Statement

• Pump selection should be based on life-cycle cost

• Consider closed pressure zone (no tank)
• Typical for small boosted zone
• Peak demand much larger than average
• Energy largest component of life-cycle costs
• Elevated storage tank impractical

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 Closed Distribution Systems

• No floating storage

X
• Reasons
– Aesthetics
– Cost
– Size

• Pumps can’t turn off

• Inefficient operation

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 Costs

• Capital
– Pumps
– Structure
– Piping
– Controls
– Variable speed drives

• Operations
– Energy
– Labor

Relatively insensitive in this study

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 Cost w/Minimal Variations

• Structure
• Land
• Engineering
• Light / heat
• SCADA
• Maintenance labor
• Power supply

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 Life Cycle Costs = Initial + PW(energy)

• Energy
• Pump mechanical/electrical
• Variable speed drives
• Hydropneumatic tank

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 Design Standard

• Must meet peak flow with largest unit out of service

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 Operational Goal

• Run pumps
– At efficient operating points
– To minimize energy cost

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 7 Configurations
2 Constant Speed 3 Constant Speed

3 Variable Speed
2 VSP

2 Constant + 1 VSP

2 Constant +
Hydropneumatic

2 Constant + 1 jockey

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 Design Approach
• Qp = peak demand
• Number of pumps
– 2 each at Qp
– 3 each at Qp/2
• Elevated tank impractical for small systems
• Hydropneumatic tank feasible
• Type of pumps
– Constant speed
– Variable speed
– Mix

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 Example System

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 Pump Stations

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 Example System Data

• Peak Demand – 100 L/s (1585 gpm)

• Average Demand – 25 L/s (395 gpm)
• Target Head – 55 m (78 psi)
• 10 cents/kwhr
• 10 yr
• 3% interest

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 Demand Pattern

Min – hour 3
Max – hour 9
Ave – hour 18

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 Alternative Configurations

• 2 x 100 L/s VSP

• 2 x 100 L/s Constant
• 2 x 100 L/s Constant + Hydropneumatic
• 2 x 100 L/s Constant + 20 L/s (jockey)
• 3 x 50 L/s VSP
• 3 x 50 L/s Constant
• 2 x 50 L/s Constant + 50 L/s VSP
VSP = Variable Speed Pump
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 Results

Scenario Pump VFD Tank Energy/yr PWEnergy Constr Total

2x50C+50V 30 5 0 17 143 35 178
3x50V 30 14 0 17 143 44 187
2x100c+20C 34 0 0 19 162 34 196
3x50C 30 0 0 20 174 30 204
2x100Hydro 28 0 120 11 90 148 238
2x100V 28 14 0 27 234 42 276
2x100C 28 0 0 39 330 28 358

Cost in thousand dollars

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 2 Large Constant Speed

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 2 Large VSP’s

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 3 Small VSP’s

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 Small Constant and VSP

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 3 Small Constant vs. 2 Large VSP

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 2 VSP vs. 2 VSP + Hydro Tank

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 3 Small

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 2 Large

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 Generalized Results

3 000
Present worth cost (k$)

2 pumps
2 pumps (2 VSP)
3 pumps
2 000
3 pumps (3 VSP)
3 pumps (1 VSP)
3 pumps (1 small)
1 000
2 pumps + hyd. tank
4 pumps
5 pumps
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Peak design flow (L/s)
100 L/s = 1600 gpm

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 Hydropneumatic Tank Considerations

• Small (tiny) Systems

• Low/zero flow periods
– Camp grounds
– Ski resorts
– Stadiums
– Golf courses

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 Summary
• 3 small pumps usually better than 2 large
• Variable speed pumping only helps a little
• Operate close to Best Efficiency Point
• Must also consider different
– Demand patterns
– Size of system
– Local costs
– Energy tariffs
– Long term growth
– Reliability

• Every system is unique

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 Thank you

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