The selection process for centrifugal pumps

Abstract

Pumping systems account 20 % of worlds energy consumption. To wisely use this energy, systems and equipment performance needs to be optimized. To optimize complex systems, processes for the process engineering and equipment selection needs to be present and industrial best practices and standards needs to be used. To ensure reliability and availability of the selected equipment many stakeholders and specialist needs to be involved to the process, including the end user. When the equipment is planned, all the variables from the process requirements to operating and maintenance trainings needs to be considered. Thesis analyses the current centrifugal pump selection process from the process engineering, equipment engineering and maintenance point of views and takes account relevant industrial standards and best practices. The Company X has its own engineering department and maintenance functions including asset management and life cycle management teams which takes a part to the equipment selection process and can benefit from the results of the study. This thesis also aims to set clear roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders to pump selection process. To understand the current process and issues, qualitative research method is used. Answers to questions are gathered with expert interviews and analyzing documents in Company X’ s management system. Based on the interviews and document reviews, the results are combined with theory and converted to concrete recommendations and action points. Based on the recommendations and action points centrifugal pump selection process can be described and redefined. The outcome of the thesis sets a solid foundation to implement suggested actions and improved work procedure to increase reliability, reduce total cost of ownership and streamline the equipment selection process.