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PLUMBING CONNECTION
SPRING 2015 51
GRUNDFOS PUMPS
The research could not be achieved without high-
performance pumps and the team at BKB Grundfos were
both willing and able to deliver a pump system that met the
requirements of both the AHSCA and the team at USC.
“What we have developed is a dual pump system which
sees both pumps able to simulate up to 50L/s as the
research team would like to simulate rainfall collection
from 5L/s-100L/s. The main reason for having two pumps
is that the flow range of 5-100L/s is too large for one pump
to handle. We decided it was better to use two pumps
rather than run one horribly inefficiently or overloading it
potentially,” Hydraulic Account Manager Grundfos BKB Nick
Russ says.
“We’re not expecting the tank to be empty, particularly if
the discharge is going back into the tank but there is a float
switch there to disable the pumps should they ever be empty
and risk running the pumps dry. We have separate suction
lines for each pump too.
BKB kindly donated the pumps to the AHSCA, for which
their members and the industry as a whole are incredibly
grateful.
“We pushed hard and got the majority of the pumps
constructed in a week. Needless to say a lot of overtime
went in to make it happen but once we have a goal in mind,
we can achieve anything here,” Nick says.
“As we are members of the AHSCA ourselves, we felt as
though it was good to give something back. At the end of
the day, we are doing this so that the industry knows what
is required as part of an efficient and satisfactory roof
drainage system. They will get something out of it, and we
hope that we will too.”
Luke (centre) is eager to get stuck into this cutting-edge
research project. As are the members of the AHSCA.
Hydraulics Associations in Australia
www.ahsca.com.au