Blackmer avoids cavitation

SHOCK THERAPY

PUMPS • BLACKMER HAS DEVELOPED AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF CAVITATION IN PUMPS. ITS PARENT, DOVER, IS ALSO CONTINUING TO EXPAND THROUGH ACQUISITION

THOSE WHO KNOW about pump technology know the problem posed by cavitation: the formation of bubbles or cavities in liquid, developed in areas of relatively low pressure around an impeller. The imploding or collapsing of these bubbles can trigger intense shockwaves inside the pump, causing significant damage to the impeller and/or the pump housing.

Blackmer, part of Dover’s Pump Solutions Group (PSG), has developed a new video to help illustrate why cavitation occurs, the potential harmful effects it has on pumping components and possible solutions to avoid this common pumping challenge.

The solution Blackmer offers to the challenges of excessive cavitation is its unique Cavitation Suppression Liner. Available as a component on Blackmer CRL, LGL, SGL, XL, XLW and TLGF Series sliding vane pumps, the Cavitation Suppression Liner has been specifically developed to eliminate the vibration, excessive noise and pump-component damage that results from cavitation.

The Blackmer Cavitation Suppression Liner defeats cavitation through a design that mutes destruction before vapour implodes. This unique feature creates internal recirculation jets that break apart vapour bubbles before implosion. While the vapour levels are not reduced, the size of each vapour bubble becomes a fraction of what it would have been.

The Cavitation Suppression Liner also allows a controlled amount of fluid at discharge pressure to bleed back toward the suction of the pump. This breaks the larger vapour bubbles apart into smaller vapour bubbles before they have a chance to implode. The net result is less noise, less vibration and less wear, which Blackmer has verified by conducting side-by-side tests of one of its sliding vane pump models with and without Cavitation Suppression Liners.

Blackmer describes itself as a global leader in positive displacement, regenerative turbine and centrifugal pump, and reciprocating compressor technologies. The video on cavitation is available on Blackmer’s YouTube channel and its own website.

DOVER ADDS TO PUMPS In other news, Dover Corp has completed the acquisition of All-Flo Pump Co, which is now part of PSG. All-Flo, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Mentor, Ohio, manufactures speciality air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pumps used in a wide range of industrial applications to transfer hazardous, viscous and abrasive fluids, sludges and slurries. The addition of All-Flo further enhances PSG’s leading AODD pump portfolio and expands its geographic and channel reach, says Dover.

“We’re excited to add All-Flo to our bestin-class portfolio of pump businesses,” says Richard J Tobin, Dover’s president/CEO. “This acquisition strengthens PSG’s market-leading position and is consistent with our strategic approach of deploying capital in close-to-core markets that offer sustainable, profitable growth, and where we can confidently create value for shareholders.”

With approximately $12m of revenue generated in 2018, All-Flo is expected to be accretive to margins of Dover and its Fluids segment.

Illinois-based Dover Corp is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues of approximately $7bn. It delivers innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through three operating segments: Engineered Systems, Fluids and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. HCB www.blackmer.com www.psgdover.com

BLACKMER HAS USED ITS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE