Month: February 2023

What’s The Difference: Valves – Ball, Gate, And Globe Valve?

by vemcoblogs -

Some of the most important aspects of a fluid management system are controlling, regulating, and directing the fluid. This is made possible by devices known as valves. Both domestic and industrial valves are used to direct the flow, shut access, adjust pressure and prevent back-flow in the pipes. These are especially useful when a section of the piping is undergoing repair or maintenance. Each valve however is uniquely designed to meet specific plumbing needs. As dealers of some of the best industrial water pumps in Mumbai, let us explain the difference between a Ball, Gate, and Globe Valve.

Ball valve:

A ball valve has a hollow ball in the center through which the liquid passes. As long as the hollow ball is in line with the direction of flow of the liquid, it flows with ease. But as soon as the hollow is turned perpendicular to the direction of the flow, it completely stops. Even turning the ball using a long and easy-to-use handle above by 1/4 is enough to cut off the flow and immediately create a powerful watertight seal inside. These valves are easy to use, durable, reliable, and especially useful in times of emergency. But besides turning off the flow completely, a ball valve can also divert or alter the flow of the liquid through multiple ports.

Globe valve:

A globe valve is especially useful to modulate or throttle the flow of the liquid. Its spherical body has a stationary ring seat. On turning the knob, a disc-like device is released and raised upwards from the ring seat. The Z-shaped passage opened below allows the liquid to pass through the valve. You can turn the handle all the way up or only partially, depending on how much liquid you wish you let pass. They, therefore, function pretty much like kitchen faucets or hose bibs. Flow modulation and throttling is the biggest advantage of a globe valve as compared to all the others, which are mostly used to simply turn the flow on or off.

Gate valve:

Also known as a shut-off valve, a gate valve works by lowering a wedge-shaped metal gate to halt the flow. The gate is lowered or raised by twisting a wheel-shaped knob present on top of the valve. The greatest benefit of a gate valve is the gradual stoppage of flow rather than causing a sudden halt, also known as a “water hammer”. A water hammer causes the liquid to suddenly change direction or abruptly stop. These create pressure waves and loud banging noises inside the pipe. A gate valve is only useful to open or shut the flow of liquids rather than throttling the flow like a globe valve. A gate valve is best used in straight flow lines with minimal disruptions, restrictions, or diversions. You can actually get a physical demonstration of these valves from any dealer of industrial water pumps in Mumbai.

For more information on which industrial valves suit you the best, speak to our experts at 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. VEMC is an authorized Kirloskar valve dealer with a proven record of excellent service and quality products in mechanical engineering and other allied products like Kirloskar valves, pumps, motors, and compressors. We are the leading dealers of industrial water pumps in Mumbai.

Performance Of Solar Panels In Different Seasons

by vemcoblogs -

Your solar panels work best when the sun is shining the brightest, making summer the favorite season. But this doesn’t mean you cannot optimize the generation during non-peak months. By being aware of the factors affecting energy generation, you should be able to boost your solar panel efficiency even during winter. This requires some tweaks in your solar panel installation.

Factors affecting solar energy production:

Temperature:

If your solar panels get too heated up, the photons will dislodge too many electrons from the atoms and get them all ‘excited’. This reduces your voltage and hence also your electricity generation. Overheating clearly is bad for your solar panel efficiency. With every degree above 25 degrees Celsius, the efficiency will drop by about 0.25%. To optimize output, try to maintain the temperature at 25 degrees Celsius.

Shading:

If a shade falls on just one part of your solar panel installation, you might think that the rest of the panel will work fine and still generate electricity. But that’s not how they work. Cells are connected in series and any obstruction in any part of the panel will affect the flow of electricity overall. So before installing solar panels, top solar companies in Mumbai and beyond will try to avoid the shaded areas as much as possible.

Rooftop (terrace) orientation:

To get maximum exposure to direct sunlight, your solar panels must be mounted at the perfect angle. Since the sun changes its position throughout the day, this angle must change as well. This however can’t be done manually and requires automatic technologies that the hi-tech solar EPC companies in Mumbai and the rest of the country are offering these days.

Cleanliness of solar panels:

Dust, dirt, or water droplets can block the exposure of the solar panel surface to sunlight. This can adversely affect solar panel efficiency. Thus solar panels must be wiped clean at least once a month to ensure maximum output.

Location:

Solar panel installation in Mumbai will be different from that in Srinagar or Shimla. The insolation or the amount of energy falling on every cm2 per minute will vary from one location to another. This naturally will have an impact on the energy generated by the solar panels in different locations.

Effects of Rain, Storm, and Cold Weather on Solar Panels:

A high-quality solar panel installation can withstand extreme weather like monsoon rains and storms. The glass layering on the panel doesn’t let the water stand and also protects the solar panels against too much surface heating. However, lightning strikes can damage your panels due to a sudden rise in voltage. Winters are a time when the electricity generation is somewhat reduced, but you can nonetheless use battery backups to store the electricity.

The Importance of Annual Energy Production:

When installing solar panels at home or at your business, taking the annual energy production into consideration is important. Energy production varies from season to season and month to month. So while some days, your panels may not produce enough electricity owing to seasonal or weather-related factors, the overall annual production must be taken into account, while evaluating solar as an alternative energy source.

Need more information about the feasibility of installing solar panels in your facility? Give us a call at 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. VEMCO is the leading name when it comes to solar panel installation, solar EPC, and maintenance services.

VEMC – A Leading Kirloskar Fire Fighting Pumps Solutions Provider

by vemcoblogs -

One of the most trusted names in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services, Vijay Engineering and Machinery Company, or VEMC for short today is also a leading provider of firefighting pumps. We are in fact the leading Kirloskar fire-fighting pump dealers. Fire pumps are basically centrifugal pumps used to pump water at high volumes and pressure in a building on fire. In this blog, we take you through VEMC’s journey in the pumping industry, its pioneering work, and a major project accomplished successfully.

Journey of VEMC in the pump industry:

Nearly 70 years ago, VEMC started its operations to provide solutions in the field of fluid management. The company’s engineers also decided to provide allied services apart from just the tangible pumping solutions. An array of fluid engineering solutions was provided especially for industrial and infrastructure use.

Within a very short span of time, the company established a solid reputation and began receiving contracts and projects from diverse sectors. At the heart of the success lied the technical robustness of its products as well as the economic pricing well-suited for the Indian market. This helped VEMC outdo most of its competitors and emerge as a force to reckon with. In 2008, VEMC was certified with ISO 9001 as a recognition of the high-quality standard of its products. This of course included our activity as the leading Kirloskar fire-fighting pump dealers.

What makes VEMC a pioneer in firefighting pump solutions?

VEMC makes its fire fighting pumps meet the stringent standards and specifications of the National Fire Protection Association of the US, while at the same time trying its best to ensure cost-effectiveness. These standards make VEMC fire pumps one of the most reliable choices across industries. No wonder VEMC today caters to an array of sectors like ports and airports, oil and gas platforms, warehouses, manufacturing, and the chemical industry, etc. Besides providing the products, VEMC also helps in the installation and maintenance of the fire pumps.

Types of fire fighting pumps we supply:

VEMC offers a wide range of firefighting pumps to its diverse client base with varying requirements. These are:

  • Kirloskar Submersible Pumps
  • Horizontal split casing pumps
  • Containerized Fire Fighting Pump Set
  • FM approved UL listed Fire Fighting Set
  • Multi-stage vertical pumps
  • Multistage horizontal pumps
  • UL FM-approved gate valves
  • HYPN Systems
  • Industrial Pumps
  • Rerolling Mill Motors

One Avighna Park –– A major project in fire safety systems:

VEMC provided fire safety systems to One Avighna Park –– a luxurious Mumbai high-rise located in Worli. The project went on to bag 40 national as well as international awards for excellence and exclusivity. VEMC supplied the client with a fire-fighting control panel that put all the worries of the client at rest. The entire system is automatic and activated by timers and auxiliary contacts. As soon as the fire pump starts, an alarm goes off signaling building evacuation. One of the major fire safety projects in VEMC’s journey, One Avighna Park symbolizes our excellence in the field of automatic fire-safety systems.

For more details on Kirloskar fire fighting pumps or any other products and services, speak to our experts at 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We have authorized Kirloskar distributors based in Mumbai. Being the top Kirloskar fire-fighting pump dealers, we pride ourselves on providing the best-in-class fire pumps, allied products, and services to our clients.

What Are NPSH And Pump Operating Regions (POR) In A Pump?

by vemcoblogs -

The Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) and Pump Operating Regions (POR) are two of the most commonly used technical terms in the pumping industry. As the leading industrial water pump suppliers in Mumbai, we can help you gain a deeper understanding of these technicalities, this article is for you.

Pressure and NPSH Terminology:

As the industrial water pump suppliers in Mumbai and beyond will explain to you, energy is described as the total head in meters or feet added. Head and pressure have a direct relationship. The pressure units used are PSIG (pound-force per square inch gauge). A pressure of 10 PSIG indicates that the units are “gauge pressure” that is, in addition to the pressure exerted by the atmosphere around us.

The NPSH available (NPSHA) stands for the total head at a particular point in the system, in feet or meters, greater than the vapor pressure of a liquid at operating temperature. It essentially indicates the relative closeness of a liquid to vaporizing.

Why it is important to operate a pump within its POR and with an adequate NPSH margin?

NPSHA must be evaluated at the pump suction. As soon as the liquid enters the impeller, the impeller eye has a point of the reduced head before the energy imparted by the impeller boosts the head. Due to the reduction in heat in the impeller eye, the fluid may fall below the vapor pressure, causing its vaporization and then suddenly condensing back to liquid form in a higher-pressure region of the impeller. The pump performance can get reduced due to the formation of vapor bubbles in the impeller. But the repeated collapse of the bubbles also causes erosion of the impeller, called “cavitation”. To prevent this and make your centrifugal pump as reliable as possible, it is necessary that a proper margin for NPSH exists.

Operating regions:

Pump impellers operate at a particular flow rate where there are zero angles of incidence between the inlet impeller vane and the approaching liquid. This is known as shock less entry flow. The flow of shock less entry is usually near the Best Efficiency Point (BEP) of the pump. When the flow rate is higher or lower relative to the BEP, there could be a mismatch between the approaching liquid and the impeller vane inlet. A greater angle of incidence can increase cavitation. The pump must therefore operate as close to the BEP as possible.

Thus there are two important regions of pump operations –– Preferred Operating Region (POR) and Allowable Operating Region (AOR). POR is the range of flow on either side of the BEP within which the hydraulic efficiency and reliability of the pump are not significantly affected. The AOR is a larger range of flow beyond the POR within which the service life of the pump is acceptable.

When pumps are operated outside the POR, the flow is no longer uniform causing localized cavitation. The AOR of the pump is affected by hydraulic loads, vibration, temperature rise, power limits, liquid velocity, NPSH margin, pump size, the potential for clogging, etc. Your pump manufacturer or dealer can help determine this region.

For any further information on centrifugal pumps, and technicalities like NPSH, POR, and AOR, feel free to get in touch with VEMC by calling us at 022 43436655 or mailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. VEMC is an authorized channel partner of KBL since the 1950s. We are the top industrial water pump suppliers in Mumbai.

Does Your Pump Need Replacement? Here Are A Few Signs To Look Out For

by vemcoblogs -

The life expectancy of pumps on average is around 10 years. But sometimes they can fail sooner, or exhibit some symptoms which point toward the need for urgent pump replacement. Outdated, inefficient, and malfunctioning centrifugal pumps can impact your business profitability and raise your operational costs significantly. Being the leading industrial water pump dealers in Mumbai, we can share our vast experience to explain when your pump is worn out and needs replacement.

Why does a pump need replacement?

As much as possible, try to repair your pumps to get their aberrations corrected. But after one point, the repairs may no longer work, and just running the outdated pump can cost you money. As a thumb-rule, “if it costs you more than one-half the cost of a total replacement to repair, just replace it”. Quite clearly, the cost aspect is most dominant when it comes to taking the decision between pump repair or pump replacement. Here however are some signs that must send you out for pump buying.

Electrical winding system:

Overheating or failure can be caused due to excessively low voltage, and the problem of lack of continuity in wiring or windings can emerge from excessively high voltage. Your motor may need replacement if its winding system is displaying any of these issues:

  • Burned windings from running on single phase
  • Shorted turns are caused by high-voltage spikes, aged insulation, overheated winding, etc.
  • Open winding due to severe overloads, faulty coil-to-coil connections, physical damage, etc.
  • Phase-to-phase short
  • Ground, that is, winding shorted to frame

Sealing of centrifugal pump:

Seals prevent the leak of liquids in a centrifugal pump and these can cause a severe drop in performance and efficiency over time. In case you repeatedly notice liquid leaking out of your pump system, it means your seals have probably worn out beyond restoration and it is time for your centrifugal pump replacement.

The problem of rusting in centrifugal pumps:

With rust covering your entire pump, including on the inside, there is very little hope for recovery. There is no point in trying to overextend the life of your pump in such a situation. It will only cost you progressively higher to keep the pump running. Replace your pump as soon as you find rust eating into the parts.

Buying a new Centrifugal Pump:

Energy efficiency:

Centrifugal pumps are some of the most energy-efficient equipment out there. Any industrial water pumps dealers in Mumbai or beyond can help cut down your energy costs. Varying by industry, centrifugal pumps consume only about 25-60% of a plant’s electrical motor energy. This can further drop to about 20% if the pump is properly matched with the system requirements.

Pricing of centrifugal pumps:

Centrifugal pumps are some of the most cutting-edge yet affordable pieces of industrial equipment. Its price varies per size and power. Just to put things into perspective, a 100 mm centrifugal pump can cost a maximum of about Rs. 300000 in the Indian market. Likewise smaller ones of up to 0.37 Hp can cost around Rs. 10000.

Planning for pump replacement of your centrifugal pumps? Visit our website www.vemc.co.in, call us at 022 43436655, or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in today! We are the leading industrial water pump dealers in Mumbai.

Optimizing The Solar Performance Using IOT Technology

by vemcoblogs -

The Internet of Things (IoT) as the name indicates connects inanimate objects, rather than people, and enables them to communicate with each other via the internet. This is a great technology for temperature control, security, garbage disposal, and now also your solar rooftop system. It bypasses any form of human intervention and directly enables smart devices to communicate with each other and share data on a real-time basis. When it comes to preventative maintenance, IoT can also act as an Early Warning System to prevent any breakdown of the devices. In this blog, we talk about how this revolutionary technology is going to transform the solar industry, especially by optimizing the performance of solar panel systems.

Implementing IoT-Powered Solar Energy Systems:

First things first, let’s talk about what IoT-powered solar energy systems do and how they work:

  • Smart gadgets with sensors gather real-time data and relay it to the power grid for analysis and storage.
  • The sensors also analyze the overall health of the solar system and provide insights to improve the relevant parameters.
  • The energy use pattern is collected and recorded by the IoT-based solar energy systems.
  • By detecting motion around the panels, the sensors can also help prevent theft and physical damage to the solar power system.
  • Finally, operators using IoT-based solar power systems can manage the energy demand better and companies can leverage data to distribute energy strategically.

Benefits of IoT in generating renewable energy:

A host of benefits entail from using IoT in generating renewable energy as discussed below:

Automation of processes:

A lot of processes can be automated simply by gathering the right kind of data. This could begin with tasks as simple as the panels of your solar rooftop system being shifted to the perfect angle to allow the maximum amount of sunlight to hit the surface.

Cost-effectiveness:

Power companies can monitor the usage pattern of households and establishments by using IoT-powered monitoring systems. This will allow them to utilize resources more efficiently to meet peak demand, manage supply based on consumer needs, and effectively eliminate or reduce the wastage of energy.

Seamless grid management:

Utility companies can place their sensors at various locations across the grid to get a fair idea of consumption. With this the companies can also take critical decisions about switching the load, configuring the network, and controlling voltage effectively.

Enhanced safety:

With IoT, companies can ensure better safety of the grid and an uninterrupted supply of electricity to consumers. Sensors, for instance, can alert companies in case of power outages. Likewise, they can also get instant information on damaged lines, electrocutions, and fires.

Clearly, the Internet of Things is the next technological revolution in the field of solar energy and has immense potential to transform how our solar rooftop systems function. For any further information on IoT in solar energy, solar panel installations, or maintenance, feel free to get in touch at 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. VEMC is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company with more than 72 years of industry experience.

How To Improve The Compressor Efficiency

by vemcoblogs -

Low-efficiency levels can seriously impact the operational costs of your business, as you will have to foot much higher energy bills, in return for some sub-optimal performance from your air compressor. As your air compressor dealers will tell you, most compressors usually have ample scope for improvement in terms of efficiency. VEMC as a top compressor dealer in Mumbai can share some insights from its vast experience.

What are the do’s and don’ts to achieve high availability with maximum efficiency?

Compressor installation:

Make sure you choose a spot that has clean dust-free air and also sufficient space for unloading, installation, and regular maintenance. The surface must be level and one that can withstand the load of the compressor. Ensure the compressor is protected from rain, sun, hot air, flammable material, and corrosive agents.

Regular check-ups of machine parameters:

Air compressors have a few critical parameters, such as capacity, pressure, temperature, etc. To ensure that the air compressor is performing at optimum levels, it is very necessary that these parameters are inspected at regular intervals. Any AMC service provider or reputed compressor dealer in Mumbai can be helpful on this front.

Proper maintenance plan:

Preventative maintenance is important to not just boost the efficiency of your Elgi compressor but also avoid breakdown costs.

  • Air leaks –– Never ignore the air leaks, no matter how insignificant they seem. Air leakage can cause serious loss of pressure and wastage of energy.
  • Change filters regularly –– Contaminants in the air such as dirt, dust, or grease, can lead to a drop in air pressure, and a rise in energy consumption. To maintain pressure levels, change your air compressor filters regularly.
  • Maintenance regimes –– Be sure that a comprehensive procedure and checklists are in place, and that your employees are trained in executing proper maintenance. Air compressor dealers and AMC service companies can guide you well on this.

Proper selection of ancillaries:

Unauthorised or generic ancillaries such as dryers, pipes, and filters, may not fit or work well with the air compressor, and instead cause damage to the system and reduce its life span. Always procure them only from an authorized Elgi compressor dealer.

Does a maintenance plan affect my compressors’ efficiency and availability?

As much as possible, follow the recommendations from your air compressor dealer. With a good maintenance plan in place, you simply don’t need to worry about parts, inventory, monitoring, and repairs. It helps you make the most of your investment and effectively manage resources. Therefore, a proper maintenance plan from a reputed AMC services company can significantly boost your compressors’ efficiency and availability.

Are there advanced ways to monitor my equipment?

You cannot possibly see what is happening on the inside of your Elgi air compressors. But parameters like temperature and pressure can tell you a great deal about its health. Any parameter going out of the acceptable range naturally indicates that the air compressor might malfunction, or at the very least, the efficiency levels are affected.

For more information on maintenance, call VEMC at 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the authorized Elgi air compressor dealers, and also provide quality AMC services for your compressors. We are the leading compressor dealers in Mumbai.