September 2008
Volume XIV, Number 9
Your Secret Weapon for Pump Selection

Pump Selection Strategy
Managing Distributor Relationships for Application Success
Pumps and pumping systems are like the unsung heroes of modern society – quickly and quietly transporting vital water supplies, chemicals and waste to and from locations that rely upon their consistent, reliable operation. In fact, pumps and pumping systems generally go unnoticed until a problem arises or downtime occurs. This is particularly true in the water and wastewater industry, where the disruption of pumping operations may lead to a variety of issues, from the inconvenient to the catastrophic. In many cases, however, by simply choosing the correct pump for the application, issues can be prevented.

Big Ideas in Fluid Handling Technology
2008 Flow Control Innovation Awards Winners
The Flow Control Innovation Awards program is designed to recognize industry’s most compelling advances in fluid handling technology, showcasing new product releases in the categories of fluid measurement, control and containment. The following article highlights the 2008 Innovation Awards winners, with some voter comments on each of the winning technologies.

Q&A: NeSSI Status Report
Process Analytical Systems Now, Then & Hereafter
Rob Dubois is a featured speaker on the New Sampling Sensor/Initiative (NeSSI™), a program focused on modular and automated process analytical systems design. Rob has given presentations and/or led tutorials on this topic at many different venues, including IFPAC (International Forum of Process Analytical Chemistry), INTERMAC/Tokyo, NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), ISA, ODVA and the PAT (Process Analytical Technology) focus group/London, as well as CPAC (Center for Process Analytical Chemistry – University of Washington/Seattle). He is a co-author of the NeSSI Generation II specification and developer of an ISA-sponsored seminar on NeSSI. This month Mr. Dubois fields questions from Flow Control on the evolution of the NeSSI program and what users can look forward to in the area of process analytical systems going forward.

Considering Your Components
The Many Elements of a Flow Measurement System
Flow measurement systems are often composed of a number of components that can have different performance specifications. This is especially applicable for flowmeters in which the flow measurement system consists of components that are designed and manufactured separately. Differential-pressure flowmeters are a case in point.

Mailbag: Pump Arts
Finding Parts When Your Supplier Moves Off Shore
One sales rep offers pirated knock-off parts. Another sales rep says he can reverse-engineer and recreate our degenerated parts. Another salesperson says the original pump company still exists in China, and he offers to import our parts. How does a maintenance shop engineer make the right decision?

QUIZ CORNER:
Which Meters Use the Principles of Differential Pressure?
Differential-pressure flowmeters are readily available and are used extensively in industry. In particular, there are many orifice plate, Venturi flow tube and flow nozzle installations. Which of the following flowmeters use differential-pressure flowmeter technology in the sense that their operation is reflected by similar equations?

VIEWPOINT:
Attendees Sound Off on Pump Guy Seminar
Last month’s Pump Guy Seminar in the Chicago area was, by all accounts, a truly valuable learning experience. Larry Bachus, the author of Flow Control’s popular “Pump Guy” column, wowed the crowd with his unique presentation style and the depth and breadth of his knowledge on all things pumps.