Fast flowing innovation Sulzer Pumps

FAST FLOWING INNOVATION

Sulzer Pumps is a global leader in the development and manufacture of high-performance pumps and solutions. Philip Yorke looks at a company that continues to expand and diversify, whilst producing some of the most innovative technological advances in its sector.

The foundation stone for the multinational Sulzer company was laid by Jakob Sulzer-Neuffert, who established a foundry at Winterthur, Switzerland in 1834. The company began by producing cast iron ingots but soon moved into the design and manufacture of products to meet the growing demands of the new industrial age. The company’s fire fighting pumps and textile machinery quickly elevated Sulzer to that of market leader and it was soon to be recognised as a major innovator of specialised pumps for industry. The same quest for innovation and high-quality engineering continues to be the driving force behind the company today, which is one that leads the field in high performance industrial pumps.

Today, Sulzer Pumps is a leading global provider in its areas of expertise. The company offers a wide range of products for engineered, configured and standard pumping solutions, and related equipment. Sulzer Pumps’ key customers come from the oil and gas sectors, power generation, pulp and paper, water and wastewater and general industries. Innovative technology and acquisitions boost sales

Innovation has been the cornerstone of Sulzer Pumps’ success through the years and it underlies all its business activities today. Therefore, innovation is of crucial importance and a continuous priority for Sulzer Pumps, who continue to develop new, cutting-edge technologies for its customers. The latest examples include the new multi-phase subsea pump for oil production, and new technologies for advanced pumping solutions for the desali-

Sulzer Pumps’ subsea custom-built capacity test pool in Leeds, UK

nation industry. This is in addition to new technological concepts for the concentrated solar-power (CSP) markets.

Recently, Sulzer Pumps and FMC Technologies, Inc. signed a long-term and exclusive collaboration agreement for the supply of pumps for subsea applications and the further development of pumping technology of Sulzer Pumps. To prove the technology, a full-scale, complete pump/motor unit has been built, fully submerged and successfully tested at Sulzer Pumps’ engineered test pool in Leeds, UK. The company’s latest solution will offer higher performance, and an even more reliable and cost-effective subsea boosting system for the oil and gas upstream markets.

Sulzer Pumps’ manufacturing in Bruchsal, Germany Sulzer Pumps’ manufacturing facility for custom engineered high-energy pumps in Leeds, UK

Global facilities and service networks

Sulzer Pumps has a global network of 21 manufacturing facilities worldwide with additional sales and service centres in more than 150 locations. To add to this unrivalled international capability, in 2010 the company invested over CHF30 million in a new, purpose built, state-of-the-art pump facility in Suzhou, China, thus bringing its most advanced pump technology to China for oil and gas production, hydrocarbon processing and for the support of various power generation markets.

Further strategic acquisitions took place in 2012, including the significant purchase of a leading provider of pumps and related equipment for the diverse global waste water markets. This strategic acquisition promotes Sulzer Pumps to that of a leading player in an area of growing global significance. In a similar move in 2012, another leading pump company was also purchased in Spain, in

Sulzer Pumps Multiphase Subsea Pump System

1 Hawke Street, Sheffield, S9 2SU Tel: +44(0)114 244 6708 | Fax: +44(0)114 244 3717 | Email: sales@ambco.co.uk www.ambco.co.uk

AMB Ltd. is a Sheffi eld based Precision Engineering Company involved in the manufacture of fully machined sub-contract components including Stellite™ and Colmonoy™ Hardfaced Wearparts, designed for wear-resistance, corrosion-resistance and heat resistant applications.

We have a well-equipped machining facility together with a highly skilled workforce who are able to offer a wide range of machining operations and produce high quality, finished components to customer requirements.

AMB Ltd. has worked closely with The Sulzer Group within the UK and Mainland Europe for over 30 years, and have become a highly respected supplier in meeting the demands of modern Industry.

We have a comprehensive CNC capacity including Wire erosion and Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), Multi-Axis CNC Turning, Milling, Grinding, Lapping and Honing, as would be expected of a modern machining facility. AMB Ltd. offer high quality machined components in a range of the preferred materials of modern industry.

Nickel based super alloys, Duplex, Super-duplex as well as conventional stainless steels, are typical materials we supply.

A comprehensive wear control service is offered utilizing weld deposition methods for Cobalt and Nickel based alloys to a multitude of industries including; Pump, Valve, Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation and the Steel manufacturing Industry.

Hard-Facing processes on offer at AMB Ltd. include: CNC and manual overlaying using: Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Powder Spray and Flame Spray-fused coatings, with in-house Heat Treatment capabilities.

The Company demands exacting standards of quality and incorporates NDT including Dye Penetrate Inspection (DPI) as well as Positive Material Identification (PMI), and works within BS EN ISO 9001/2008, ASME and DEF STAN qualified welding standards.

order to reinforce the division’s presence in key water markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Sulzer Pumps’ offering of water transport and desalination pumps was further enhanced due to these strategic acquisitions and its global service network strengthened as a result. Furthermore, a number of additional service centres, located in China, Columbia and Russia, were also added to Sulzer Pumps’ growing portfolio.

Expanding presence in emerging markets

Sulzer Pumps continues to enhance its global footprint and to bring innovation and new solutions to improve its customers’ productivity performance. Recently the company’s presence in the emerging markets was expanded with additional service centres and a new packaging facility in South Korea.

Jacques deSalis, vice president sales Europe for Sulzer Pumps said, “Sulzer Pumps is committed to deliver the same high-quality pumping solutions and services to customers according to market and customer needs and remains the leading pumping system solutions provider in the world. The company continues to drive technology leadership with an increased global presence and an increased offering of customer support services. In addition to further operational performance enhancements across the company, we are also committed to developing our people as well as further efficiency improvements, in order to meet the changing requirements of both our customers and the global market.”

Delivering high performance solutions worldwide

A key strength of Sulzer Pumps is its extensive global presence and coverage in more than 150 locations worldwide. Recent major contracts awarded to Sulzer Pumps are testament to the performance and quality of their products. For example, the company will supply advanced pumping solutions for several Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) projects in Spain and India. These significant orders include the design, manufacture and installation of cooling water pumps, feed-water pumps, condensate extraction pumps and auxiliary pump packages. These major contracts further reinforce Sulzer Pumps’ position and commitment as a major supplier to the global CSP market.

Another success story relates to the supply of high-pressure feed pumps to several major Russian refineries that are undergoing major hydrocracking upgrade projects. The scope provides for high-pressure feed pumps, which will supply feedstock to the process at high pressure and high temperatures and are the most important item of the refinery equipment.

In the dewatering industry too, Sulzer Pumps has been selected to supply 12 large dewatering pump sets to a copper mine in Zambia, which is one of the largest construction projects currently being undertaken in that country. Through its supply of high-efficiency pumps and superior–wear coatings, Sulzer Pumps will contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and overall life-cycle costs of mining equipment, whilst maintaining the full productivity of the mine. n

For further details about Sulzer Pumps’ high-tech products and services, visit: www.sulzer.com