World Pumps 50 Years - Plad

1 30 Anniversary feature World Pumps January 2009. 50 Years of World Pumps A brief history of Pumps Ten Years ago, World Pumps put together a brief history of the pump industry telling the story of pump development since the Egyptians invented the 'shadoof'. in 200BC. We stopped then at 1999, but here we bring the story right up to date with some of the main industry events of recent times. F. ifty Years ago, Trade & Technical Press launched a new magazine to report on technical develop- ments in Pumps . The original title of Pumping was short-lived, being soon supplanted by the pan-European Pumps , Pompes, Pumpen in 1965 as the magazine linked up with the fledgling Europump association.

2 Over the next seventeen Years , the pump industry became increasingly international and in 1982, the publisher decided to mark this trend by re-launching the magazine as World Pumps . The thirtieth anniversary year saw Trade & Technical Press acquired by Elsevier Science Ltd who incorporated the magazine into its Elsevier Advanced Technology Division. Since then, a number of editorial changes have brought with them new approaches as the industry matures. There have been reviews of software and web pages, eventually eclipsed by sheer numbers.

3 An annual International Buyers' Guide has been published since 1997, and is now supplemented by an on-line version. Since 2003 World Pumps has worked with BPMA on the annual prestigious Pump Industry Awards. The magazine now features regular contribu- tions from the Hydraulic Institute, underlining its international credentials. Man has been using Pumps of some type for 4000 Years , which makes 50. 0262 1762/09 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved Anniversary feature 31. World Pumps January 2009. Years a very short time in the history of now dominate the building services We are all aware that in recent Years , pumping.

4 Indeed, looking back at the market. Pump selection software has discussions about the pump industry most significant developments in speeded up the process of choosing a have been dominated by talk of mergers, technology, the last fifty Years seem pump, as well as opening opportunities takeovers and disposals. Indeed, as we relatively insignificant. By 1959, all the in marketing. For the designer, CAD and consider the major pump makers of major pump designs had been CFD have reached new heights. They 2009, it is hard to name one which has introduced and mostly developed into can now interact but they still have not changed markedly since 1959.

5 Commercial products. So what has some way to go before they fully World Pumps been writing about for replace personal expertise. Comings and goings the past 50 Years ? Life cycle costing has become a part of ITT, IDP, Sterling Fluid Systems, Grundfos, everyday life and has shown that Wilo and ABS have changed almost Driving trends energy costs usually eclipse all other beyond recognition. Established lifetime costs. Vast savings are One trend has been the increasing independent makers like Harland, Flygt, importance of niche positive displace- Worthington and now Weir Pumps have ment Pumps , particularly rotary types.

6 Disappeared, whilst newer names like Peristaltic, progressing cavity and rotary Textron, Constellation Capital, IDEX, lobe Pumps have all risen in pro le as Pentair and Flowserve have their capabilities have been introduced to arrived on the scene, contin- new markets by improved communica- uing the trend for the biggest tions. Increasing competition has meant companies to get bigger. that users have been more inclined to Other interesting changes experiment in the search for the ideal include diversification. For pump for di cult duties.

7 Example, after more than 50. The trends that have affected all of Years of providing submers- us have also had their impact on ible motors to pump makers, the pump market. Increased Franklin Electric has pulled environmental awareness gave the plug' and now buys a real boost to Pumps pump companies to without shaft seals. produce its own units. Magnetic drive and canned Mind you, it is also motor units have thrived and even interesting to note from produced a hybrid combining the two the chronology of the technologies. Pump shaft sealing has pump industry listed also changed dramatically.

8 Asbestos in below, that even in packing is outlawed and today the vast the early Years of this majority of new Pumps are supplied magazine mergers and with mechanical seals, often in factory- acquisitions were not assembled cartridge format to avoid the unknown and ever since risk of face damage during handling. there has been a continuous Materials have also developed. Sea- environment of change. water Pumps have seen gunmetal and aluminium bronze replaced by highly Global marketplace alloyed super-austenitic and super- duplex stainless steels.

9 New non-metals Probably the biggest single change have made possible tiny Pumps for in this industry has been the human implant. Ceramics and tungsten/ transition from a local to a global silicon carbide have vastly reduced marketplace. Fifty Years ago we had frequently realised by system improve- wear rates in Pumps of all sizes. Even only national trade associations but ment but appropriate legislation is large sub-sea variable speed super- practically impossible to formulate. today the significant impetus in inter- synchronous drive motors for Pumps Although pump efficiency improve- company relations is at interconti- are now possible.

10 Ments give relatively small returns for nental level. The Europump Association large outlays, legislation for raising has grown massively in stature and efficiency now exists in Korea and effectiveness in its 49 Years , and now Overtaken by computers China. The European Commission, as works in close partnership with the Electronics and computers have part of its Energy Using Products Hydraulic Institute in the US. This overtaken all our lives and inevitably Directive, has targeted the raising of partnership reflects ever closer have entered the physical World of efficiencies of water Pumps .