Blogs

Blogs, Case Studies | October 1, 2026

Combination Soft Starter Eliminates Piping Cavitation and Reduces Energy Consumption in Steel Mill Spray Nozzle Pumps

A steel mill runs a 150 kW (200 hp) rotodynamic pump to supply pressure to a hood spray nozzle. The nozzle is only required to spray 40% of the time. The pressure is controlled by a bypass valve and orifice, which causes the pump to operate at 44% of the BEP. The system additionally has significant audible cavitation downstream of the orifice. After considering three options, a 150 kW (200 hp) combination soft starter was chosen to allow the pump to be turned off when the nozzle is not required to spray. The combination soft starter resulted in a simple payback period of 0.12 years.

Read Now

PSM Newsletter, Pump System Training, Blogs, Workforce Development | September 22, 2026

The Workforce Challenge Facing the Pumping Industry: Why Training and Certification Matter More Than Ever

The workforce challenge facing the pumping industry is not a future concern. It is happening today. Through structured training and recognized certification, HI and PSM provide organizations with a practical path to build workforce capability.

Read Now

Blogs, Case Studies | September 9, 2026

Water Distribution Pump—Eliminate Bypass Pressure Control

A water supply system pumped water from a river using a 112 kW (150 hp) pump, as well as two backup pumps for high flow demands. A pressure control valve was originally used to maintain constant pressure but resulted in wasted flow. The pressure control valve was replaced with a pressure control system and a VFD which resulted in lower cost of operation.

Read Now

Blogs, Case Studies | August 6, 2026

Downsized Pump and Use of VFD for Cooling Water

A mineral processing operation has a cooling water system with two 335-kW (450-hp) pumps to supply water. The cooling requirements over time were drastically reduced so the pressure and flow of operation were much lower than the initial design. Two 30-kW (40-hp) pumps were installed with VFD control to better fit the system requirements and reduce operation costs.

Read Now

Blogs, Case Studies | July 7, 2026

Cost Savings Through VFD Integration in a Drinking Water Distribution System

This case study demonstrates how transitioning from constant-speed motors with bypass control to VFD-driven systems can yield substantial energy and cost savings.

Read Now

Blogs, Case Studies | June 2, 2026

Installing Multiple Pumps to Reduce the Life Cycle Cost of an Air Conditioning System

A new air-conditioning system was required to meet variable chilled water demand. Three system configurations were evaluated: A single pump with a bypass line, a single pump with a flow control valve, a three-pump system with variable frequency drives (VFDs).

Read Now

Blogs, Case Studies | May 7, 2026

Perfecting Paint Production

Paint and coatings manufacture requires the safe and efficient handling and transfer of abrasive liquids, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is an additive used to make latex. When a paint manufacturer began experiencing a shortened diaphragm lifespan in its Air-Operated Double-Diaphragm Pumps (AODD Pumps) Pumps that were tasked with handling TiO2, it was recommended that they switch to Integral Piston Diaphragm (IPD) models. Since making the change, the service life of the diaphragms can now be measured in years rather than months, resulting in reduced downtime and an optimized paint-manufacturing operation.

Read Now

Blogs | April 20, 2026

The Hydraulic Institute (HI) Data Tool for Pump Systems

To meet the needs of industry professionals who seek easy access to a wide range of pumping resources, HI developed the HI Data Tool as a platform for the exchange of consensus peer-reviewed industry information among pump manufacturers, end users, and engineers.

Read Now

Blogs, Case Studies | April 1, 2026

Installing High-Temperature Seals to Prevent Added Cooling and Heating Processes

For a process requiring a charge of liquid at 210°C, an alternative, high-temperature seal is considered to reduce the cost of the system. This high-temperature seal eliminates the need for a cooling system and a reheating system. The high-temperature seal results in the installation being paid off in two months.

Read Now

Case Studies, Blogs | March 11, 2026

Optimizing Hydrostatic Testing Procedures for Pump Casings

A detailed review of ASME and API pressure-testing requirements was conducted to assess two acceptable procedures: removing pump casing priming valves prior to testing or leaving these valves installed and fully open. The engineering team evaluated risks, compliance considerations, and potential waste associated with scrapping valves unnecessarily. The updated procedure, which includes leaving the pump casing priming valve in place and applying a pressure-rated plug at the outlet, was successfully implemented and validated across manufacturing applications involving water and seawater. Consequences of not revising the procedure included unnecessary component disposal, increased cost, and reduced verification of final assembly integrity.

Read Now