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LEWA:
Development
of pumps with finite elements For
decades LEWA has set the technical benchmarks for diaphragm pumps and
metering packages used in process technology. Worldwide the company ranks
among the competence leaders in fluid metering, especially for critical
operating conditions: LEWA systems provide solutions for metering- and
process tasks at high up to highest pressures in the oil and gas industry
as well as in the chemical industry and process engineering. The specific
requirements of hygienic design in the pharmaceutical industries are met
as well. For
the LEWA management and their R&D team the increase of reliability,
the operational safety and the service life – and so customer benefit
– is the primary goal of each further development. At
the high level of technical development each further optimization demands
detailed knowledge of the different, superimposing influencing factors of
hydraulics, mechanics, material technology and thermodynamics as well as
effects. Target-oriented
proceeding is virtually not possible without carrying out systematic and
scientifically founded examinations. For
applications at high discharge pressures the strength of the components is
a decisive aspect. With pressures up to 1200 bar pumps are exposed to
highest mechanical stresses. When conveying aggressive, highly corrosive
fluids even the limits of high-strength materials are reached. As the
pumps are mostly used in continuous operation, precise knowledge of the
respective loading collective is important. This is the only way to avoid
material fatigue with unforeseeable consequences for the personnel, the
plant and the environment. Tests
for component optimization of high pressure pumps are extremely complex in
the test field already and under real operating conditions are possible in
exceptional cases only. Therefore LEWA applies modern calculation methods
such as the finite element method (FEM) for the design of high-pressure
compliant geometries and for the selection of suitable materials. FEM, among others, serves for the examination and clarification of these questions:
This
efficient calculation method excellently supplements the decades of
experience with diaphragm pumps – with regard to the operating methods
as well as to the influence of different process fluids on the loaded
components. By this means reliable data can be determined for new
applications within a reasonable period of time. The extrapolation beyond
the assured experience range thus is possible with acceptable risks. Using
common calculation approaches and test technologies similar results can be
reached with multiple time and cost expenditure only. Moreover
the company systematically uses external knowledge: Within the framework
of the VDMA common research and co-operation with research and university
institutes LEWA – and so the customer – benefits of latest scientific
findings. As a member of EUROPUMP, the Hydraulic Institute (HI) as well as
EHEDG*) or ISPE*) Chapters LEWA specialists take an active part in the
development of standard designs and the elaboration of international
standards and recommendations. This
documents how close the company is to scientific research: Since 1995 the
company yearly awards the “LEWA-Prize”: An commission experts selects
one outstanding diploma thesis and dissertation out of the proposals from
the institutes for process engineering and technical cybernetics of the
University of Stuttgart
More information: www.lewa.com
Posted July 18, 2007 |
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Please send news releases to > Wilhelm Sicking - POB 340103 - 45073 Essen/Germany - WilhelmS@pennwell.com |
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