Rental pumps go electric

Atlas Copco says its E Pump comes with cost-effective benefits. Photo: Atlas Copco

While pumps may not be the first piece of equipment that springs to mind when the word versatility is mentioned, modern innovations mean they are suitable for many sites. Whether being used in the construction, mining or waste sectors, they are a versatile and popular product.

Of course, as job sites change, so to must the features and specifications of units. As with many industries, factors such as sustainability, efficiency, reliability and durability are all key requirements for users.

Whether they are looking for smaller units, electric models or easily transportable solutions, the latest launches often need to reflect the wider demands and needs of the end user.

Cost of operation

Last year, Atlas Copco launched its E-Pump range, a self-priming, zero-emissions dewatering range that consists of E PAS models with canopies for the European market and the open configuration PAC electric models for the North American market.

The fully electric range, which is described by the company as versatile and flexible, comes with cost-effective benefits such as reduced maintenance costs, compact size for storage and lower cost of ownership due to its electric power.

The company says that for diesel pumps the efficiency of the prime mover is around 50%, where 50% of power is lost in heat. For electric pumps, the efficiency of the prime mover will be around 94%, making them more efficient.

In terms of trends, Atlas Copco says the growing demand for surface pumps is driving innovation due to the acceleration of water infrastructure development. “With advancements in pump technology and design and an increased focus on energy efficiency, the pump market is experiencing a transformation towards more sustainable pumping, meeting new regulatory norms”, the company says.

The HWP4 submerible pump with HPP18V power pack. Photo: Hycon

The company also highlights the rise in fuel prices when asked what other factors are affecting the pump market, telling IRN that the instability of prices has led to doubt and unrest among global economies. This, says the company, has had a knock-on effect to the pump industry, with customers changing their product needs to reflect wider climate change goals.

Saksham Dube, marketing manager, portable flow at Atlas Copco, says, “We invest in the most advanced design and digital tools to make pumping a hassle-free experience for our customers. Our new range of fully electric self-priming surface dewatering pumps are customer focused and bring in high energy savings, durability and low operational costs so that customers can focus on efficient liquid management and build efficient worksites.”

Sustainable solutions

UK-based DXB Pumps - founded by Simon Ruffles in 2017 - says it is tackling sustainability factors by developing new products that minimise fuel consumption and emissions such as CO2 and NoX.

The company has added to its range of Stage 5/Tier4 emission compliant range for the international rental markets with the addition of three new smaller pumpsets that focuses specifically on reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Part of the range is the new DE200/100 pumpset, designed for the quarry pump hire markets. The unit generates 200m3/hr at almost 11 bar operating at its best efficiency point using a smaller Deutz TCD3.6 litre engine generating 95kw at 2100rpm.

According to the company, this makes it one of the most economical 80mm high pressure pumps on the market for dewatering quarries, cleaning and jetting in industrial markets.

It comes in the same DXB3 canopy used in the SS300/70 and is equipped with a high efficiency 6X3 pump end for the higher pressure applications seen in applications where 8-12 bar is required by customers.

DXB says, “The three new units focus on the very highly demanded 4” (100mm) and 6” (150mm) pump market where hire companies invest in large numbers of units every year to service the general pump hire markets in all countries. The third pumpset is an extension of the 3” (80mm) higher pressure range, again a highly demanded product in the general-purpose hire pump market.”

DXB Pump is also launching the new 4” and 6”, DE200/20 and DE325/15 high efficiency dewatering pumps for general hire.

Powered by a small Perkins 18kW engine, the 150mm unit pumps up to 500m3/hr and consumes just 5 litres of fuel per hour. The company says the small engine means no diesel particulate filter is required. Both come with a 25W solar panel and auto start-stop control panel as standard, ensuring the user benefits from reduced fuel consumption whilst in operation.

Another OEM seeing a shift towards a sustainable mindset is Dutch manufacturer BBA Pumps. The company, which sells its pumps all over the world and has a subsidiary in the USA, says it is seeing strong demand for its pumps from the rental market as companies look to expand and renew fleets with environmentally friendly units.

Following this demand, the company will release an electric driven BA300KS pump unit in the future.

In terms of diesel-powered pumps, the company unveiled the new the BA300KS mobile sewage pump in September. The company says the BA300KS, a 12-inch unit, has been developed for bypassing large sewage systems in densely populated areas and comes with a pump capacity of 1100 m3/hour.

Other features include a solids handling of 130mm, Stage V engine, discharge roof pipe, 100m3/hour vacuum system, increased free page and higher pump efficiency when compared with other pumps in its KS range.

Portable demands

Denmark’s Hycon, which is well known for its hydraulic tools, but also supplies submersible hydraulic pumps, says portability is one factor that is driving demand for its range of hydraulic self-priming pumps, which is made up of the HWP2, HWP3 and HWP4.

The diesel driven BA300KS mobile sewage pump. Photo: BBA Pumps

The company says its hydraulic self-priming solutions for bypass pumping are popular for small-scale jobs; “Not only does the hydraulic trash pump and hydraulic power pack easily fit into the back of a regular van. It also offers a performance that easily matches the performance of large, heavy electric submersible pumps and trailer-type diesel pumps – and at a much lower cost.”

Jan Byrresen, Hycon’s sales manager in North America, the UK, and Ireland told IRN; “We have experienced a great interest in portable pumping solutions for bypass pumping. This is a fast-growing segment that can really benefit from the great performance of our small hydraulic submersible trash pumps.

“Our customers typically need to move the pump to a new working area every day – or even sometimes more than once every day. This is easily done with our largest pump weighing only 26.7kg.”

Hycon CEO Martin Møller adds, “The market in need of bypass pumping is growing. Not just in Europe but all over the World. In Germany, we have already seen large companies convert to our compact, portable pumping solutions. Our newest innovations are great additions to this industry.”