MechChem Africa March 2019

⎪ Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals ⎪

Industrial IoT fuels growth opportunities for intelligent pumps

The rising adoption of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies has intensified the need to include capabilities that can transform intelligent pumps into smart pumps.With the inclusion of advanced digital process control, pump systems have outgrown their traditional role as the mechanical workhorses of manufacturing.

I ncreased customer demand to derive maximumoutput from legacy equipment is driving pump manufacturers to inte- grate enhanced technological features into existing pumps. Manufacturers initially started off inte- grating variable frequency drives (VFDs) and controllers with the aim of conserving en- ergy,monitoringperformance, controlling the speed, andmeasuring a fewvital parameters, but these benefits are beginning to prove insufficient for next-generation automated industries. “With IIoT, there is a huge demand for sophisticated techniques such as predictive maintenance, remotemonitoring, digital twin technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR),” says Srividhya Murali, senior research analyst: industrial team, Frost & Sullivan. He adds that intelligent pumps will receive a further boost with pump companies adopting the 2020 strategy, wherein the focus will be on savingenergyusingadvancedand sustainable technologies. Frost & Sullivan’s re-

and the IT sector,” notes Murali. “Furthermore, the shift inmarket focus fromproduct-centric to service-centricwill lead tonewtypesofbusiness models thatwill feature more lifecycle manage- ment contracts.”

IIoT smart technology will allow engineers to use augmented virtual reality for education, training, repairs and maintenance purposes.

The other important technologies are digital twin and AR/VR, as they help compa- nies eliminate the need to have a worker on hazardous sites. This will not only enhance workers’ safety but also reduce the cost of operations. The other ways in which intel- ligent pumps can boost companies’ revenue opportunities include: After-sales service: Intelligent pump ven- dors can offer prompt and efficient services remotely. On-the-spot problem solving can decrease replacement time and charges. Employing3Dprinting:Inadditiontoprint- ing complex geometries for futuristic designs, 3D printing uses only the exact quantity of

materials needed to make parts, which even- tually results in less waste. Connected plants: This improves visibil- ity and transparency within supply chains in organisations, helping managers plan their operations efficiently. Predictive maintenance: Asset mainte- nance and cost of ownership are drastically reduced by the use of this technology. European Intelligent Pumps and Con­ trollers Market – Driving Smart Revolution, Forecast to 2024 is part of Frost & Sullivan’s global Industrial Automation & Process Control Growth Partnership Service pro- gramme. q

cent analysis, European Intelligent Pumps and ControllersMarket -Driving Smart Revolution, Forecast to 2024, analyses the ben- efits of incorporating IIoT technology into pumps. It discusses the impact of smart pumps on end-user industries such as water and wastewater, oil & gas, chemicals, pharmaceuti- cals, building services, and food and beverage. Lastly, it presents the perspectives of major participants on key market trends. “With software-based predictive analysis becom- ing a highly popular feature, there will be a surge in the numberofcollaborationsbe- tween pump manufacturers

On-the-spot problem solving can decrease replacement time and charges

March 2019 • MechChem Africa ¦ 15