Category: Kirloskar pump dealers

Dewatering in Construction

by vemcoblogs -
Kirloskar water pump dealer (1)

Excavation is a huge part of construction and water logging on the sites is a very common problem. To ensure smooth progress of the project, it is necessary that you manage the groundwater well. However, a number of different dewatering techniques are used, each suitable for a certain set of conditions and project specifications. VEMC is the leading Kirloskar water pump dealer in Mumbai, and in this blog, we tell you all you need to know about dewatering in construction.

Types of dewatering methods

  1. Subsurface drainage: 

This is a drainage method which helps remove water that has percolated into the subgrade. It is used in areas that have a very high water table or receive incredibly heavy rainfall. Subsurface drainage typically has a permeable base to remove water rapidly, a pipe collector system to convey the liquid away, and a filter layer to prevent the clogging of drainage.

  1. Sump pumps: 

This is one of the simplest and most cost-effective methods of dewatering. It involves digging pits in the drainage area to collect water which is then removed by using pumps.

  1. Wellpoint systems: 

A number of small wellpoints are installed around a site. These are connected with a central header pipe which has a vacuum function. Wellpoint systems are great for lowering the groundwater levels and facilitating construction work by creating a dry area.

Selection criteria for dewatering methods based on project specifics

The working conditions and project demands can vary from one construction site to another. The choice for dewatering methods must be made accordingly. For instance:

  • In conditions where there’s heavy rainfall, high water table or deep permeable soils, subsurface drainage can be the best option. It is also useful to drain heavy and poorly drained soils, or those that might have an impending layer at some depth, say clay.
  • In case of construction sites with shallow excavations and low-permeability, sump pumping can be the most feasible and cost effective method to remove water. However, it carries with it the risks of sudden collapse or erosion. 
  • In case of shallow excavations or fine-grained soils with low permeability, wellpoint systems can be the method of choice. It is quite cost effective and also easy to install. 

Environmental and safety concerns

Dewatering involves significant environmental and safety risks. For example, uncontrolled dewatering can deplete the groundwater of an area. Likewise, it can also cause increased sediment levels in waterways. In cases when seasonal conditions add more surface water to work sites, unmonitored dewatering can have an accidental impact on the environment.

Dewatering could be a dicey activity. To make sure environmental and safety risks are averted, builders must follow proper guidelines. For more on which dewatering method to choose for your construction site, and how to ensure environmental and personal safety, feel free to call us on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. VEMC is one of the top-notch Kirloskar pump dealers in Mumbai with a rich industry experience of over 70 years. 

Benefits of Implementing Kirlosmart for Predictive Pump Maintenance

by vemcoblogs -

Internet of Things (IoT) is taking businesses by a storm. At present, there are over 14 billion connected IoT devices across the world. IoT enables devices to be connected at all times and share actionable data. Thus without human intervention, devices can communicate with each other through internet connectivity. This has implications for monitoring, maintenance, predictive analysis and much more. 

There is no reason why IoT must leave pumping untouched. VEMC is one of the leading Kirloskar pump dealers based in Mumbai, and in this blog we take you through some of the topmost benefits of Kirlosmart for your pumps.

What is Kirlosmart?

Kirlosmart is a technology developed by KBL to keep track of pumps using the IoT technology. It enables pumps to stay connected with the users by sharing real-time data such as flow, voltage, vibrations etc. over the internet. The data then appears on the owner’s smartphone through the Kirlosmart app which offers a smooth, easy and interactive user interface.

Key benefits of Kirlosmart

By sharing real-time pump data with the owners, Kirlosmart offers a host of different benefits. Some of these are:

  1. Reduced downtime: 

With Kirlosmart in place, users can access all the critical pump information at their convenience. They are also alerted through SMS, email and push notifications as soon as any parameter shows significant deviation. This indicates the pump needs repair. A continuous stream of data enables users to schedule their maintenance regime. This bolsters pump reliability and reduces the likelihood of unplanned downtime significantly.

  1. Improved pump efficiency: 

Kirlosmart displays the data which indicates if the pump is operating at peak performance and efficiency levels. This ensures cost savings, higher operational efficiency and excellent productivity.

  1. Extended pump lifespan: 

By keeping a track of all the critical pump parameters, users can successfully avoid unexpected pump failures. The smooth operation of the pump and reduced wear and tear ensures extended pump lifespan.

How Kirlosmart offers a great ROI

Kirlosmart is a great investment when it comes to your pump health and longevity. For users who wonder why take on the added burden of investing in its implementation, Kirlosmart offers a great ROI. This is because of the following reasons:

  1. It enables users to avoid pump failures through problematic issues that wouldn’t have surfaced without continuous monitoring. This avoids unexpected downtime and loss of business associated with it.
  2. Kirlosmart ensures that your pumps are running at peak efficiency levels at all times. This means the pumps operate at highest possible productivity levels while ensuring significant energy savings.
  3. With Kirlosmart you no longer need to hire additional labour for monitoring and inspection of pumps. You do not need a have a specialist or train an in-house resource to run the system either. The simple, user-friendly and interactive app interface enables any user to operate it with ease.
  4. Overall, Kirlosmart contributes to longer pump life by facilitating an effective predictive maintenance regime. This means lesser Capex on pump replacement and reduced wastage of material.

For more on Kirlosmart, get in touch with VEMC by calling on 022 43436655 or emailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the top-notch Kirloskar pump dealer based in Mumbai.

Retrofitting as a cost-effective alternative to replacement

by vemcoblogs -

Pumps are usually designed to meet specific needs and expectations such as de-watering, supplying oil and petrochemicals or irrigation. However, over a period of time, the requirements may change and pumps may be needed for new operations altogether. Besides, the old pumps may undergo wear and tear especially in the chemical industry where there is a high likelihood of corrosion. All this can leave the pumps ill-equipped for taking on new tasks. This is where retrofitting comes in as an easy and cost-effective alternative to meet performance and reliability expectations. 

VEMC is a leading Kirloskar pump distributor in Mumbai and in this blog we talk about retrofitting of pumps.

What is pump retrofitting?

When pumps reach their wear and tear limit, retrofitting can give it a second life. It involves restoring an old pump by salvaging its component parts and if required fitting new ones to make it functional again. Retrofitting is highly economical and also has positive implications for the environment as it avoids unnecessary wastage of material. Retrofitting in other words offers a quick, efficient, cost effective and nature-positive overhaul for old pumps.

Cost effectiveness of pump retrofitting

Pump retrofitting can be immensely beneficial for companies looking to save not just on their Capex but also on Opex in the long run. Retrofitting also has implications for the environment and reduces your carbon footprint significantly. Here are some of the top benefits owners can expect from retrofitting their pumps.

  1. Avoiding Capex: The most outstanding benefit of retrofitting your pumps is that you get to avoid shelling out a huge sum at once. Buying a new pump can actually be quite expensive and make a dent in your finances. With retrofitting however, you get an opportunity to salvage your old pumps and prolonging their working life. 
  2. Improved reliability and performance: Equipment and component parts in critical business areas need to be up and running at all times. Once you retrofit your old pumps, its reliability and performance improves significantly. This avoids unplanned downtime and the business costs associated with it.
  3. Lower operating costs: To reduce your operating costs, it is important that your equipment is operating at peak efficiency levels. Operating cost throughout a pump’s service life is many times more than the initial Capex. With improvements in hydraulic design, your retrofitted pump can offer better performance, higher efficiency and lower power consumption.

Retrofitting maximizes revenue generation

A retrofit is a cost-effective way to deal with high demand and throughput without the cost and time needed to install a new pump. A retrofit also has the additional benefit of maintaining existing piping and foundations, further minimizing costs and downtime, and boosting revenue significantly.

Retrofitting is a great way to breathe new life into your old pumps. For more information on retrofitting, feel free to get in touch with VEMC by calling us on 022 43436655 or emailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the leading Kirloskar water pump dealer based in Mumbai.

When to Repair vs. Replace a Pump

by vemcoblogs -

Whenever any of your equipment breaks down, you are required to make a choice between repairing or replacing it. This applies to industrial pumps as well. However, several variables come into play when making the repair vs. replace decision. Some of these are skills of the technician, current technology and of course the costs involved. 

VEMC is the leading Kirloskar dealer in Mumbai and in this blog, we talk about the repair vs replace dillemma that every pump owner has to face at some stage.

The repair vs. replace decision

The repair vs. replace discussion is often held whenever breakdown maintenance of a pump is being carried out. The decision is routed through a number of variables such as:

  1. What is the problem that caused the breakdown?
  2. Can it be fixed either internally or outsourced to an experienced technician?
  3. How much will it cost to fix the issue?

The first step is identifying the problem which in itself can be quite challenging. Often pumps break down due to more than one issue. To zero in on the problems requires plenty of expertise, skill, experience and even some amount of luck. In case an internal team-member is unable to resolve the problem, it may be better to outsource it to a third-party technician. 

At any rate, what really matters is how much cost will be involved in solving the problem. This is where the owner must figure out whether it would be more affordable to repair the pump, or simply to replace it with a new one. As a thumb rule, if the repair costs exceed half the costs for replacement, the pump should be replaced.

Age and performance history of the pump

If your pump is old, it is very likely to have undergone a significant amount of wear and tear. Plus, its technology has possibly become outdated which means it will be difficult to find spares for it. In terms of energy efficiency as well, the pump may not be performing up to the mark.

Another factor to look out for is how the pump has performed over the years. If it has had multiple breakdowns which has resulted in costly downtime, that makes another reason for you to consider replacement.

The environmental angle

Environmentally, it is always desirable that you prolong the lifespan of your equipment as much as possible and avoid frequent replacement. The latter causes unnecessary emissions and wastage of precious resources. However, if the outdated equipment has poor energy efficiency, it can be a heavy burden on not just the business but the environment as well. The eco-conscious pump owner is thus required to walk the tightrope between these two alternatives.

The repair vs. replace dillemma is one of the most confounding business decisions that any pump owner has to make. If you’re confused about what course of action to take on pump breakdown, let us help you navigate this uncertain territory. Call VEMC, the top-notch Kirloskar authorised dealer, on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in. 

Importance of Conducting Pump Performance Testing

by vemcoblogs -

Pumps are expensive pieces of equipment, and to keep them going, continuous monitoring is important. With time, there will inevitably be wear and tear, which will cause deviations in performance. In other words, your pumps will gradually lose capacity and efficiency over time.

VEMC is one of the leading Kirloskar pump dealers based out of Mumbai, and in this blog, we tell you why regular and frequent performance testing is important.

Establishes mechanical integrity

Performance testing enables you to verify the design and establish its mechanical integrity. It helps prove compliance with industry standards and regulations. A mechanical run demonstrates that a pump runs without causing any mechanical issues such as leakage, high temperature, or vibrations.

Detection of issues

Performance testing is carried out under a range of different conditions. This essentially demonstrates the uniform performance of the pump in both hot and freezing temperatures without developing any faults or defects. A bearing temperature test is important to find out the levels of temperature at which pumps perform well. Temperature is measured before the start of the performance test and the minimal allowable rise of temperature above ambient levels is 70 degrees F. Likewise, as vibration levels increase, pumps may become more susceptible to leakages in gaskets, seals, etc. Performance testing ensures none of this takes place.

Finding operational problems

Performance testing can also be an opportunity to find out if a pump has any operational issues. These include misalignment or excessive vibration. These issues, if left unresolved, could cause serious and long-term damage to the pump, thus having an impact on its lifespan. Get in touch with any Kirloskar pump dealer to find out how to get these issues resolved.

Testing energy efficiency

A very important aspect of operating a pump is the level of energy it consumes. This is important as energy prices are soaring and any waste or increased consumption can raise costs significantly. Statistical reports that are received after performance testing demonstrate the level of energy efficiency of a pump.

Compliance testing

Your pump must comply with industry standards as well as government regulations. They need to comply with several standards, such as Hydraulic Institute (HI) vertical pump tests and ANSI/HI 2.6-1994. Non-compliance with any of these standards could attract severe penalties.

Testing the pump’s performance

Finally, and most importantly, the role of performance testing is to find out whether the pump is providing the performance that it promises. For this, the NPSH test is performed using two methods –– vacuum suppression and suction valve throttling. 

Pumps are expensive assets that you wish to make the most of for an extended period. This makes it very important that you keep a regular eye on how it is performing. For more information on performance testing, feel free to get in touch with VEMC by calling 022 43436655 or emailing us at marketing@vemc.co.in. We are the leading and most reputed Kirloskar pump dealers in Mumbai.