How Hydro Set the New Pump Testing Standard
/The pump industry faces a challenge in keeping up with changing efficiency regulations. Programs such as the Hydraulic Institute (HI) Pump Test Lab Approval (PTLA) are helping companies adhere to these standards. Read about how Hydro, Inc. made history with the first HI PTLA certification.
By Michelle Segrest, Navigate Content, Inc. — Reporting for World Pumps Magazine
With an engineering-first approach, Chicago’s Hydro, Inc. proves the impact of redesigned and engineered pumps by testing their real-time hydraulic and mechanical performance at its state-of-the-art Test Lab. It is in the 46,000-square-foot facility that Hydro develops and implements engineering modifications for improving the performance of critical pumps and then verifies that performance in the lab.
Thanks to high-quality capabilities in testing vertical, horizontal, and submersible pumps, Hydro made history in September 2015 by becoming the first recipient of full certification of the new Hydraulic Institute Pump Test Lab Approval program.
This new industry standard is designed to assist pump OEMs and other pump test laboratories to improve their current laboratory procedures and policies by working with a third-party auditor to develop and maintain accurate, uniform, and repeatable pump testing protocols. The program also helps participating organizations adhere to the requirements of the international test laboratory accreditation standard (ISO 17025) concerning test measurement equipment.
“Hydro’s test lab is unique because it was designed to support the aftermarket by having the flexibility to test a wide range and variety of custom engineered pumps,” said George Harris, Hydro CEO and founder. “Since it is not incorporated in a plant which manufactures new pump production, as is the case with many large OEMs, it is possible to test a customer’s pump in one to three weeks’ lead time. This is very important because customers who need a certified test need the pump tested quickly.”
Since it opened in 2010, Hydro’s 5,000-horsepower test lab has helped to troubleshoot problems with pumps in the field by isolating the pump from its system in a controlled environment to simulate field conditions in a safe manner.
“Hydro remains independent of the constraints that can be imposed by relying on existing hydraulic designs and manufacturers’ predicted performance curves,” said Jeff Johnson, the company’s vice president, a 41-year industry veteran who was instrumental in the design and construction of Hydro’s Test Lab. “All of these efforts ultimately lead to a more reliable and well understood pump performance.”
PTLA Standard Pump Testing Guidelines
The program has been designed around the new “Hydraulic Institute Program Guide for Pump Test Laboratory Approval” (HI 40.7–2015), which summarizes the key elements of this voluntary program. Any qualified domestic or global corporation, research institution, or laboratory can participate in the HI Pump Test Laboratory Approval Program.
Facilities must have in-house capabilities to conduct pump performance tests to “Hydraulic Institute Standards for Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing” (HI 40.6–2014) standard, personnel that understand HI standards and pump testing techniques, and quality systems that ensure continued best practices after the audit. As part of the program, qualified laboratories agree to periodic audits of their facilities, records, equipment, and personnel to determine compliance with the HI 40.7 program guide and HI 40.6 standard.
In addition, the program promotes an increased level of assurances to pump end users, as well as energy advocates and electric power utilities, which are working with HI to develop an Energy Rating label that accelerates the adoption of premium efficient pump systems.
“The driving force is the changing pump efficiency regulatory environment and the opportunities to decrease the energy consumed by motor-driven systems, such as pumps, through regulation and voluntary labeling initiatives,” said HI Executive Director Michael Michaud.
HI 40.6-2014 Methods for Rotodynamic Pump Efficiency Testing was developed by HI to meet regulatory testing needs, and the Department of Energy (DOE) has incorporated HI 40.6-2014 by reference in the pending Energy Conservation Standard, EERE-2011-BT-STD-0031, and Test Procedure, EERE-2013-BT-TP-0055, for Commercial and Industrial Pumps (CIP).
“HI has worked alongside the DOE throughout this process, and the HI Pump Test Lab Approval Program (HI 40.7-2015) takes the DOE regulation one step further by providing a third-party assessment of pump test labs that rate pump types within scope of the DOE regulation,” Michaud said. “This additional step brings added confidence that HI-approved laboratories have the facilities, equipment, procedures, and employees in place to test pumps in accordance with DOE incorporated efficiency testing standard.”
Hydro’s State-of-the-Art Pump Testing Capabilities
Hydro is capable of testing horizontal, vertical submersible, and some reciprocating pumps. It can test pumps up to 5,000 horsepower and can achieve a maximum flow of 42,000 gpm. All testing is completed in accordance with HI 14.6-2011 and API 610 (or other relevant standards such as ASME and ISO).
The testing facility includes an above-ground tank that is 48 feet long with a 12-foot diameter and has the capacity to hold approximately 38,000 gallons of water. The tank can be pressurized up to 100 psi to match a field suction condition. The tank pressure can be depressurized with a vacuum pump.
The Test Lab strategically serves pump users throughout North America and operates for a variety of industries, including oil and gas, power generation, fossil, steel, and more. It is dedicated to the needs and requirements of the pump aftermarket. Because Hydro is independent, it is able to offer unbiased recommendations in every test situation.
Earning the Groundbreaking Pump Testing Certification
Hydro underwent an independent audit, completed under the guidelines published by the Hydraulic Institute. The audit reviewed test procedures, processes, instrumentation, software, and other capabilities. Any qualified domestic or global corporation, research insti-tution, or laboratory can participate in the HI PTLA Program.
“Hydro tests 6-12 pumps per month, which includes all makes and models, from very small ANSI pumps to 5,000-hp API pumps,” said Ares Panagoulias, Manager, Hydro Performance Test Lab. “We test both horizontal and vertical pumps. While we primarily test pumps, we also test related equipment on special interest tests, which may include motors, variable frequency drives, gearboxes, heat exchangers, and other equipment.”
The certification process can be rigorous, Panagoulias said. “After the initial audit, there were several follow-up meetings to address questions and observations. The process included compliance to the standards and audits to assure that our testing practices are sound and that our products will perform in the field as they do in the lab. Having more efficient pumps and pump systems is of great importance in reducing the overall consumption of energy and improving reliability.”
While the whole process can take several months from start to finish, the audit itself generally takes either one or two days, depending on how prepared the laboratories are and the number and types of pumps being tested. “Being prepared means having in-depth knowledge of the standard, but also well-trained staff and great internal processes and documentation,” Michaud said. The guidelines are clearly outlined in the Program Guide for Pump Test Laboratory Approval (HI 40.7), which is available for download at no charge on HI’s website.
Pump Testing’s Impact on the Pump Industry
The pump industry has made vast improvements through the years in material and engineering upgrades. However, hydraulic performance enhancements have not kept pace with mechanical upgrades and modifications.
“Hydro remains independent of the constraints that can be imposed by relying on existing hydraulic designs and manufacturers’ predicted performance curves,” Johnson said. “To better meet our customers’ needs, Hydro’s Test Lab now offers critical speed testing for our customers.”
As the pump industry prepares to face the new challenge of increased efficiency, reliability, and savings proactively, Michaud said the PTLA program will have a significant impact on the industry moving forward.
“Backed by solid standards and certified test labs, pump manufacturers can now more than ever demonstrate real savings at the pump and pumping system level,” Michaud said. “The ability to accurately measure and quantify savings throughout the life of the pumping system changes the conversation pump manufactures can have with end users when they realize that the overall operating costs greatly exceed the initial capital expense. Taking this approach creates a win-win-win – for the end-user, the pump manufacturer, and the environment.”
Flowserve and Crane Pumps & Systems have also earned the prestigious certification. Currently, there are a few other facilities in the process of applying for and scheduling audits.
The Future of Pump Testing
Hydro overcame many challenges while designing a test laboratory that can configure and test all makes, models, and configurations of centrifugal pumps.
“We have been able to keep up with the latest data acquisition programs, latest vibration technology, and certification and calibration of our testing equipment,” Johnson said. “For Hydro, having the ability to perform variable speed tests suggests it may be the best technology available today. To our knowledge, Hydro is the only test laboratory that offers this service on high-energy machines.”
According to Panagoulias, the future of the pump test market is promising. “Programs like this will assists pump OEMs and other pump test laboratories to improve their current laboratory procedures and policies by working with an experienced third-party auditor to develop and maintain accurate, uniform, and repeatable pump testing protocols. The program also helps participating organizations adhere to the requirements of the international test laboratory accreditation standard (ISO 17025) concerning test measurement equipment. Clients who would only test one pump out of four purchased in the past will now test all four units. We see this trend more and more.”
Michelle Segrest is President of Navigate Content, Inc., a full-service content creation firm. She has been a journalist for more than three decades and specializes in covering the people and processes that make a difference in the industrial processing industries. Contact her at michelle@navigatecontent.com
Originally published in World Pumps, June 2016. Updated October 2019
