A sustainable future is only possible with water. With urbanisation and industrialisation, society’s need for water continues to grow while water is becoming scarcer. As utilities invest in desalination and wastewater treatment plants to meet demand, ABB Market Development Manager - Softstarting Solution, Deepak Kar, explains a key technology in utility strategies to improve reliability and conserve water.
How can technology help conserve water?
To minimize scarcity and waste in water networks, we need them to operate reliably and efficiently. Digitalisation is enabling utilities to manage this complex challenge more efficiently. ABB technologies that enable remote monitoring, digital analysis of the system – and predictive maintenance is already helping authorities to improve their networks’ resilience, safety and energy efficiency. We also help reduce the cost of owning and operating these systems.
Why are electrification technologies important for water?
It comes down to the motors and pumping systems that drive the water networks. It’s important to see the system holistically. ABB’s comprehensive solutions bring together motor control and protection: more advanced circuit breakers, contactors, relays and softstarters help make networks more intelligent, efficient and reliable.
ABB PSE & PSTX Softstarters play a particularly important role in providing the smoother starting and stopping of pumping systems while also preventing water hammering, dry running and clogging thus ensuring continuous operation and increased lifetime of equipment.
How big an issue are leaks in networks?
Water leakage affects every utility. Leakage costs large amounts of money every year, wasting energy and a precious natural resource. The causes are complex: pressure surges and water hammering accelerate the aging of pipes and joints.
Utilities use a lot of different pumps to distribute water, and the movement of the fluid can brake the pump during a start – or drive the pump forward during a stop. A lack of control of the electrical motors’ starts and stops can create pressure surges and water hammering that, in the end, will damage the pipes.
How do Softstarters prevent leakage?
Softstarters control the pump’s AC electrical motor. They control the torque of the motor to build the flow gradually, minimizing the mechanical stress on the pump – and the water system itself. With a more intelligent Softstarter, you have more scope to optimize the motor control and maximize the performance of the pumps and water system.
How much water can a Softstarter save?
It depends on the aging installation, the technical challenges, and the level of Softstarter technology. Very old water infrastructure can be losing 25 percent of the total water supply to leakage. ABB’s PSE & PSTX Softstarter are the advanced solutions available and can reduce pipeline damage in old infrastructure by 50 percent.
The PSTX is used to prolong peak productivity in new installations. Designed for mission-critical applications and challenging environments, its built-in Modbus integrates with plant automation systems. Besides torque control and pump cleaning functions, the PSTX also heats motors to prevent condensation and freezing in humid and cold conditions. It can increase the lifetime of pumps by up to 100 percent.
