New Product: Aquavar® Unit
New Product Highlight: Gore Diaphragm
New@PFC
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Product Highlight: Osmonics PES Membrane
Employee Profile
Maintenance Tips
PFC Quiz

Congratulations to Don Carver from Henry A. Petter Supply who was last edition's quiz winner! Thank you to all of those who entered our contest.

Submit your answers to http://www.pfcequip.com/quiz.html or email sales@pfcequip.com or fax to 763-425-1132.

All correct submissions will be placed in a drawing for this issue's giveaway.

The Aquavar is one of the world's first microprocessor-based Variable Frequency Drive pumping system controller. This unit does more than just change the motor speed, it manages your pump performance to match a wide range of system conditions and requirements. By combining the Aquavar with a centrifugal pump you can have a versatile product to be used in such applications as HVAC, water supply, irrigation, filtration, pressure wash, boiler feed, circulation, and a wide range of OEM applications.

The typical construction of a constant pressure system or booster set includes one or more pumps hooked up to a common suction and discharge header which are then connected to a large supply tank and system piping. As system demand increases, the pumps turn on to keep the supply tank at capacity and provide pressure to the system. A control panel connected to an external pressure sensor is used to sequence the pumps and alternate the lead pump. A by-pass line protects pumps from damage at shut-off and at run-out with a metering valve. This is the old way!

The Aquavar® changes everything! All of the external mechanical devices used for pump monitoring and protection is no longer required. This functionality is provided within the simple programming of the Aquavar variable frequency pump controller. The programming is related to pumps, system curves and motors, that is it ! In other words, the Aquavar eliminates separate valves, control panels, by-pass lines, large supply tanks and other costly devices that do not contribute to efficient operation of your system

The Aquavar is available in different configurations, from 1 HP through 75 HP, 200,208,230 and 460 volt available. Single phase from 1 HP to 10 HP! Wall mounted, or motor mounted styles available. The Aquavar controller uses standard "off the shelf" motors, so inverter duty motors are not necessary. The drive or power behind the Aquavar is today's technology using the PWM and IGBT type inverter/converter variable frequency drive. And the proprietary pump logic software ensures that your pumps and pump systems operate as specified. Ask PFC Equipment for more information about the Goulds Aquavar® pump controller.

PFC Equipment acknowledged the exceptional customer service extended to us by several of our vendors. A seven-member panel, consisting of PFC Equipment staffers from Inside Sales, Accounting, Purchasing and Customer Service, was organized and through an extensive selection process would like to announce the Top 10 Customer Service Staff Members. This recognition is meant to thank those employees of our vendors for exceeding our needs and requests, for taking the extra time necessary to find solutions to our requirements and always doing so in a kind and courteous manner. A special thank you to all of your for your hard work and efforts.

• Ron Saar - Hydra-Cell
• Sara Grychan - Pentair (Ametek)
• Wayne Johnson - Hydra-Cell
• Bernie McInerney - Tuthill
• Linda Schlosser - Price Pump
• Mark Mallicoat - Grundofs
• Diane Schroader - Scot Pump
• Kris Kaesermann - Pentair (Ametek)
• Lori Reeves - Facet
• Faye Piersant - Osmonics

Through the combined efforts of our vendors and PFC's staff we have been able to meet and exceed the most important requirements of all - our customers' requirements. We appreciate everyone's efforts.

With more than 13 years of experience as the PFC Equipment Shop Manager, Dan Jenkins brings with him not only a hands-on approach to management, but also an extensive knowledge of products and applications.

After a stint in the U.S. Navy, Dan was able to transfer his boiler room management and offshore experiences into concrete trouble-shooting techniques for our customers. Dan's background gives him the experience to trouble-shoot the most difficult applications. Dan is also PFC Equipment's resident welder, machinist and lead repair mechanic. His other responsibilities include coordinating and scheduling of all shop repairs, warranty and non-warranty work, fabrications and build-ups. Dan has the added task of managing our Mechanics and Product Engineers.

Dan Jenkins is an integral part of the PFC Shop and Service Team. Please contact him with your fluid-handling questions; his ability to troubleshoot and coordinate solutions for your company's needs is unparalleled.

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. and Yamada America, Inc. have entered into an alliance to deliver a new "best in class" pump: The Yamada Double-Up™ Series Pump. This alliance marries Yamada's ultra-reliable air operated diaphragm pump technology with Gore ONE-UP® Pump Diaphragms that offer twice the service life of other PTFE diaphragms currently on the market. Yamada makes the most reliable AODD pump, outlasting all competitors in head-to-head testing.

ONE-UP® diaphragms will be part of the Yamada trial pump program with a guarantee that if the pump does not outperform the competition, the customer is not obligated to make the purchase. With this new alliance, Yamada becomes the only original equipment manufacturer (OEM) installing ONE-UP® Pump Diaphragms in new pump equipment

ONE-UP® pump diaphragms, with proprietary PTFE on the wetted side, are a significant advancement over conventional PTFE diaphragms. Considerably stronger, with greater flex life, they provide a dramatic improvement in service life. Chemical resistance is the property that makes ONE-UP® pump diaphragms so versatile. Suitable for use with most chemicals and in elevated temperatures and pressures, these diaphragms are ideally suited for those general service pumps that are likely to be put to one use today and another tomorrow. You can expect long, effective service life and reduced maintenance costs with these durable one-piece diaphragms.

Due to the unique 100% PTFE material and construction including a nylon reinforced, neoprene elastomer backing, these pump diaphragms have proven longer-life performance, thereby reducing AODD pump maintenance costs in chemical and caustic applications. ONE-UP® pump diaphragms have been extensively field tested in a wide variety of industries including food & beverage processing; pharmaceuticals, paint, solvent and detergent manufacturing and wastewater treatment. Documented case histories show that the average service life is 3.5 times longer than conventional PTFE diaphragms.

PFC Equipment can recommend the best Yamada AODD pump and ONE-UP® pump diaphragm for your application. Contact us to learn more about this new option in fluid-handling.

Osmonics Offers A New Superior Membrane for Liquid Applications

The Polyethersulfone membrane (PES), new from Osmonics, Inc., offers optimum membrane performance in final and prefiltration applications. Osmonics' PES microporous membrane provides outstanding particle retention while maintaining high flow rates. The membrane has been optimized with the latest membrane technology to produce a filtration media with enhanced porosity that results in low differential pressures, high throughputs, extended filter life, and reduced processing time.

Osmonics' PES filter cartridges are manufactured utilizing only 2 materials of construction - polypropylene components and supports, and PES membrane. Thermal bonding assembly technology eliminates extractables due to adhesives and enhances the filters' resistance to severe sanitizing agents, such as hot water, hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid, as well as offering a broad range of compatibility with other aggressive fluids in both the high and low pH arena. Because of its low preservative and low protein binding characteristics, Osmonics' PES media is an excellent choice for the reduction of microbial bioburden and particulate loads when filtering buffers and other biological solutions without sacrificing flow rates and filter life.

Osmonics PES membrane is presently available in 0.1µm, 0.2µm, 0.45µm and 0.65µm pore ratings. The membrane is available in a variety of cartridge filter configurations allowing easy installation in virtually any filtration system. The filter cartridges are available in 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 inch lengths and are constructed for high area and exceptional flow dynamics to ensure cost effective solutions to your filtration needs. Each cartridge filter will withstand differential pressures of 60 psid (4.14 bar) forward flow and 30 psid ( 2.07 bar) in the reverse direction. Each filter is integrity tested during the manufacturing process to ensure consistent and reliable field performance.

From UPDI water systems, general utilities operations, bottled water and beverage applications, to the filtration of biological and buffer solutions, Osmonics' PES membrane filter cartridges are easily adaptable to your filtration needs. Our commitment is to improving filtration system quality, economics and performance. Contact us today to see how Osmonics can help Engineer Purity into your operation.

Most pump applications are characterized by frequently changing flow and/or pressure requirements. The installation of a by-pass line and throttling valve is the typical solution to these changing conditions. The disadvantages to this solution are the increased power consumption and cost, water hammer from valves opening and closing and increased wear on components leading to increased maintenance costs. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) were designed specifically to replace these costly by-pass lines and valves.

A VFD, also known as Variable Speed Drive (VSD), is a motor control device installed in a system to vary the speed of an AC or DC voltage motor. The VFD is installed on the in-coming power line before the motor. In the case of AC motors, the VFD adjusts the output frequency to the motor thereby changing the speed of the motor. In DC voltage applications the output voltage is changed to adjust the speed of the motor.

As the speed in a centrifugal pump is changed, both flow and the Total Dynamic Head (TDH) produced will change. Flow is directly related to the change in speed and TDH to the square of the change in speed. The main advantage of VFDs is that the pumping output can be matched to system requirements. The speed of the pump is ramped up and down based on the operative criteria in the application. The output of the VFD can be automatically adjusted from a variety of input signals: flow meters, pressure transducers or other process parameter.

The installation of VFDs reduces the over-all power consumption of the system reducing the electrical costs. Additionally the need for costly throttling valves and by-pass lines are eliminated. Finally, decreased maintenance costs are realized due to less wear and tear on the system. On many systems the cost of VFD can be realized in reduced operating costs in less than 12 months.

If you feel your system can benefit from the installation of VFD, contact one of the sales engineers at PFC Equipment to discuss options for your system.

PFC Equipment displayed its new colors at the 22nd Annual Midwest Plant Engineering and Maintenance Show held at the Minneapolis Convention Center this October. As a 30-year old company in the fluid-handling industry, PFC Equipment felt it was important to demonstrate its capabilities and products to current and potential customers at this long-standing show.

After working to re-design and produce a new booth space building on PFC Equipment's "Global Reach, Local Service" motto, we were able to focus our display space on three products. The Walchem WebMaster, an internet-based, remote access chemical-feed controller, a centrifugal Price Pump and a stainless steel Osmonics housing. While these specific products cover just a portion of the PFC Equipment line of goods, we were able to demonstrate our approach of complete fluid-handling knowledge in a wide variety of markets and applications.

PFC Equipment is always looking for more opportunities to display its capabilities and products. Please send information on any of these opportunities to sales@pfcequip.com.