North Ridge Pumps has completed a critical upgrade for a client in the marine sector by replacing outdated hot water circulating pumps on a floating offshore platform. The existing pumps, over 40 years old, were at the end of their operational life. The client sought solutions to enhance efficiency and reliability, leading to the installation of two XCP hot water circulating economiser pumps.
An economiser is a heat exchanger that recovers waste heat from exhaust gases, improving boiler efficiency by preheating fluids like boiler feedwater. This process reduces fuel consumption, lowers emissions, and enhances thermal performance, making it essential for industrial and commercial systems. The XCP pumps are designed to handle high temperatures, often a cause of mechanical seal failure, by using gland packing for sealing.
The selected XCP pumps are ISO 2858-designed, heavy-duty, close-coupled centrifugal pumps, suitable for demanding marine environments. They are engineered to pump low viscosity fluids without solid contaminants, ideal for applications ranging from water treatment to marine operations. The pumps’ centrifugal process design, with separate shafts for the pump and motor, simplifies maintenance and extends equipment life.
The long-coupled configuration prevents fluid ingress during seal failures and allows easy access to the pump head. Each pump includes a flushing connection to maintain packing integrity at high temperatures, up to 170°C. This design, with extra bearings in the pump head, ensures continuous use and long operational life, even in explosive environments with ATEX-certified versions available.
These XCP pumps operate at 200L/min at 3 bar, handling high-temperature water continuously. They are fitted with motors rewound for 460V 50Hz, an uncommon specification enhancing their adaptability. Constructed with ductile iron casings and stainless steel 316 impellers, they promise durability and efficiency.
For more information on enhancing your marine or industrial operations, contact North Ridge Pumps through its website.
