IMP ROV IN G E F F I C I EN C Y
Making a Better Circulator
Improving efficiency is not only useful in the field, but in the warehouse as well BY K E I T H RE ID
W
HEN YOU CONSIDER PRODUCT RESEARCH AND development, there is a tendency to focus on sophis- tication. In some cases this might be effective digital
controls or aggressively engineered combustion solutions that dramatically increases efficiency. But sometimes, relatively simple engineering solutions can provide dramatic results. One example of this was obvious at the
NAOHSM Trade Show (now OESP), held at Hershey Lodge, Hershey PA, May 22-26, 2011 where Wilo USA, LLC was showcasing a new volute with a reengineered flange/volute solution for its Stratos ECO high-efficiency residential circu- lators. The high-efficiency part of the system, up to 80 percent energy savings, falls into the area noted earlier of sexy research and development. However, the new flange solution provided a dra- matic increase in efficiency itself, where inventory management is concerned. The Stratos ECO had already made inroads in that area with its ability to dial in a range of capacity with Wilo noting that the previous version could potentially replaced 12 competitive pump options. The new flange (and check valve) solution allowed the company to up that claim to 34. Basically, the rotating flange is a spinner flange that locks in
at 90° points, allowing it to replace a two bolt flange where the bolt plane is either parallel to the pump shaft or perpendicular to the pump shaft. "The technology itself is relatively simple and we found the
industry reaction overwhelming when we first came out with this new product at NAOHSM," said Steve Thompson, vice president of Rosemont, Il-based Wilo USA in charge of the building services market segment products. "I think it really did catch everybody by surprise. People were looking at us for electronic solutions or more high efficiency pumps and we came up with a very simple, easy and very effective mechanical solution so was probably one of the more fun launches I've been a part of."
18 NOVEMBER 2011 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com The concept was originally developed nearly four years ago. As
Thompson describes it, it was one of those things where a bunch of the pump guys were sitting around the table at lunch talking about things that could be done with the pump to make the whole "horror show" of two different pumps types easier. "We discussed perhaps using a union connection like they have over in Europe, but that probably wouldn't fly here in the states," he said. "And we talked about a flange and may be doing a four-bolt, but the prob- lem is that if you run into issues where a pump is installed very close to a wall and there is not enough clearance, and it is heavier and stuff like that. So we developed the first concept (with the rotating flange) and we've been working on it probably two years now."
