Circulator Pump TechnologyDOE ASRAC Commercial & IndustrialPumps Working GroupJanuary 30-31, 20142Circulator Pump DefinitionCirculator Pumps (commonly called “Circulators”) arehorizontal, single-stage rotodynamic pumps, with in-line pumphousings. Circulator Pumps are characterized by low head,and quiet and vibration free operation and are commonlyutilized in hydronic heating closed loop systems to provideflow by overcoming system friction loss. They also are usedfor potable water (intended for human consumption)recirculation to provide hot water from a source on demand.3Circulator Pump HistoryFirst circulator pumps were developed in the 1930s to improvethe performance of hydronic heating systems . . .Early systems relied on gravity (hot water rises) to heatresidences. This required very large pipes to move thenecessary BTUs but system responsiveness was poor.The advent of small circulator pumps reduced the pipe sizesand sped the flow of hot water to the areas of the residencecalling for heat.4Sample of zoning with Circulators4BoilerLOADLOADLOADCirculator Pumps5Example of zoning with Zone Valves5BoilerLOADLOADLOADCirculator PumpZone ValvesLOAD6HI Member: Circulator Pump ManufacturersArmstrong LimitedGrundfosPattersonPentairTacoWiloXylem (Bell & Gossett)7Types of Circulator Pumps8CP1 – Close Coupled Sealess with Canned Motor119 18**119 162 24 1*Item# Partname Definition1 CasingTheportionofthepumpthatincludestheimpellerchamberandvoluteordiffuser2 ImpellerThebladedmemberofarotatingassemblyofthepump,whichimpartstheprincipalforcetotheliquidpumped6 ShaftThecylindricalmemberonwhichtheimpellerismountedandthroughwhichpoweristransmittedtotheimpeller24Nut,impellerAthreadedpieceusedtofastentheimpellerontheshaft16Bearing,inboardThebearingnearestthecouplingofabetween‐bearingpumpbutfarthestfromthecouplingofanendsuctionpumporbearingclosesttotheimpellerofaseallesswetrotorcirculator18Bearing,outboardThebearingmost‐distantfromthecouplingofabetween‐bearingpumpbutnearesttothecouplingofanendsuctionpumporbearingfarthestfromtheimpellerofaseallesswetrotorcirculator119O‐ringAradialoraxialtypeseal*Rotor,waterlubricatedTherotoristhenon‐stationarypartofarotaryelectricmotor,whichiscausedtorotatebythemagneticfieldgeneratedbythestatorwindings,andisfluidlubricatedandcooledbythesystemfluid** RotorcanTherotorcanenclosestherotor,providesoutboardbearingsupportandeliminatessystemfluidcontaminationofthestatorwindings69CP1 – Close Coupled Sealess with Canned MotorTypical Product Characteristics (wet rotor)–Hp: 40-240 Watts–Speed: single & multi-speed–Lubrication: system fluid–Flange Size: 3⁄4” – 1-1/2”–Flow/Head: 130 Gpm/55’ TDH10CP2 - Close Coupled Horizontal In-Line1Item# Partname Definition1 CasingTheportionofthepumpthatincludestheimpellerchamberandvoluteordiffuser2 ImpellerThebladedmemberofarotatingassemblyofthepump,whichimpartstheprincipalforcetotheliquidpumped6 ShaftThecylindricalmemberonwhichtheimpellerismountedandthroughwhichpoweristransmittedtotheimpeller?Ring,casingAstationaryreplaceableringtoprotectthecasingattherunningfitwiththeimpellerringortheimpeller24 Nut,impellerAthreadedpieceusedtofastentheimpellerontheshaft65Seal,mechanical,stationaryelementAsubassemblyconsistingofoneormorepartsmountedinoronastuffingboxandhavingasmoothflatsealingface80Seal,mechanical,rotatingelementAdeviceflexiblemountedonashaftinoronthestuffingboxandhavingasmooth,flatsealfaceheldagainstthestationarysealingface119 O‐ringAradialoraxialtypeseal?2421196658011CP2 – Close Coupled Horizontal In-Line PumpsTypical Product Characteristics–Hp: 1/12 – 2/5–Speed: 2600 - 3300–Lubrication: permanently lubricated–Flange Size: 3⁄4‘” – 2”–Flow/Head: 130 Gpm/55’ TDH12CP3 – Flexibly Coupled, Horizontal Inline PumpsItem# Partname Definition1 Casing Theportionofthepumpthatincludestheimpellerchamberandvoluteordiffuser2 Impeller Thebladedmemberofarotatingassemblyofthepump,whichimpartstheprincipalforcetotheliquidpumped6 ShaftThecylindricalmemberonwhichtheimpellerismountedandthroughwhichpoweristransmittedtotheimpeller*Spring Coupling24 Nut,impellerAthreadedpieceusedtofastentheimpellerontheshaft65Seal,mechanical,stationaryelementAsubassemblyconsistingofoneormorepartsmountedinoronastuffingboxandhavingasmoothflatsealingface80Seal,mechanical,rotatingelementAdeviceflexiblemountedonashaftinoronthestuffingboxandhavingasmooth,flatsealfaceheldagainstthestationarysealingface** Sleeve Bearing*** CottonWicking665802241*** ***13CP3 – Flexibly Coupled, Horizontal Inline PumpsTypical Product Characteristics–The “original” design–Hp: 1/12 – 1-1/2–Speed: 1750 RPM–Lubrication: oil lubricated–Flange Size: 3⁄4‘” – 3”–Flow/Head: 200 GPM/55’ TDH14Common Applications1.Hot Water (Hydronic) Heating2.Potable Hot Water Recirculation3.Solar Thermal4.Geothermal15EU RegulationsEU research into circulator efficiency savings began in 1999.EEI (energy efficiency index) developed and introduced in 2005.Lot 11 directive created in 2006.First EEI level implemented in 2013Only applies to standalone wet rotor circulators less than 2500 watts16Energy Efficient Circulator OptionsEuropean energy efficient circulator technology is becomingavailable today in U.S. but acceptance has been slow because:–U.S. hydronic heating installed base is much smaller than EU–A very small portion of new homes in the U.S. use hydronic heat.–U.S. hydronic systems typically only run for small portion of year–Electricity in U.S. is less expensive–Cost of energy efficient circulators is nearly double traditional wet rotorcirculators.17Questions