Recently, BBA Pumps in The Netherlands organized an introduction week for a select group of pump professionals. The aim of this event was to share energy knowledge and introduce new drive technologies for mobile pumps. The transition to sustainable energy and CO2 reduction goals demand innovation. BBA Pumps is at the forefront of this and have designed an impressive new line on the road to net zero.
BBA Pumps will introduce the new eco-friendly pump systems extensively in the coming months. The theme is Pump Drive Systems of the Future, think battery-electric pumps, methanol fuel cell pumps, units with hydrogen combustion engines and many more clean and energy-efficient systems.
Electrification
Electrification generally means replacing fossil energy sources with electricity that is generated from sustainable sources. It is the process of replacing technologies with electric variants, where previously only non-electric options were used. The aim of electrification is to reduce CO2 emissions. Electricity can be generated in a climate-neutral manner and therefore plays a major role in sustainability.
Also, in the world of mobile pump units we see an increase of electrically driven pumps. BBA Pumps standardized the pump series years ago for both drive systems. Pump users can choose between a diesel-driven pump set in accordance with the applicable emission requirements, or the same pump but powered with an electric motor.
BBA Pumps innovations in electrification
With the accelerating adoption of EVs (Electric Vehicles), we are already getting used to charging batteries in our cars instead of filling a fuel tank. Major manufacturers in the transport sector, construction equipment and earthmoving machinery are also focusing their innovation budgets on electrification. There is a similar trend in the world of mobile pump units, we see a greater focus on the environment, energy use and emissions. In the anticipation of these future trends, BBA Pumps innovation team has delivered a huge achievement. In addition to the existing electric mobile pumps on mains power, we are introducing the first battery electric pumps.
Battery-powered electric pumps
The BBA Pumps battery electric mobile pumps are driven by an electric motor and are assembled inside a canopy. Unlike before, the role of the canopy was to reduce the motor noise. Battery electric pumps are super quiet in themselves. The canopy is now part of theoverall design, housing all electrical components and a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack. As standard the pump unit is equipped with an energy-saving feature. By using the automatic level control, energy consumption can be reduced. With smart management, the running time on the battery pack can be significantly increased. A solar panel on the canopy door ensures that the 12-volt traction battery remains charged. This separate battery is required to activate the systems at start-up, and the solar panel also contributes to reducing total energy use.
Electric battery + DPU dewatering pump
With battery electric + DPU, the pump is driven by an energy-efficient electric motor. A built-in frequency controller controls the motor. The pump set is equipped with a mains connection and a battery pack. When the unit is connected to mains power, the energy flows automatically through the battery and is used for driving and charging. In the absence of mains power, the electric motor runs on energy drawn from the battery pack. When the battery is emptied, a built-in diesel generator automatically switches on to recharge the battery generator is a 1-cylinder diesel power unit (DPU) with DriveOn® technology. The pump set is equipped with its own fuel tank for this purpose. The diesel generator always runs at an efficient load, resulting in minimal emissions.
Methanol
In transitioning to sustainable forms of energy we also see a lot of interest in methanol as an alternative to fossil fuels. Methanol is a liquid and is mostly synthetically produced. It is the simplest form of alcohol (poisonous) and with the formula CH₃OH consists of one carbon atom, four hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Methanol can be produced from renewable sources such as biomass, waste products or even from CO₂ extracted from the air. This process can significantly reduce the carbon footprint compared to methanol made with energy from fossil fuels. Methanol can offer a sustainable solution, especially for applications that require significant energy or need to run for extended periods.
BBA Pumps’ methanol innovations
We opted for a fuel cell systemfor the development of our first methanol powered mobile pump. A fuel cell converts an energy carrier, usually hydrogen, directly into electrical energy. The principle is electrochemical without a combustion process. This makes fuel cells efficient and environmentally friendly.
Methanol fuel cell pump
A methanol fuel cell pump is driven by an energy-efficient electric motor. The pump and electric motor are assembled in a canopy with a large methanol fuel tank at the bottom. The pump set is also equipped with a reformer, a fuel cell and a battery pack.
How does a methanol fuel cell pump work?
The mobile pump is installed at the job site, for example a wellpoint dewatering project. The electric motor is started to drive the pump, which draws energy from the battery pack. If there is a mains connection available, then the pump can be connected to it. In this case the pump works in the same way as a battery electric pump. If there is no mains connection at the wellpoint dewatering project, fill the tank with a methanol-water mixture. This is purchased as pre mix in a volume ratio of 60/40%. The pump is still driven by the electric motor, when the battery runs out the reformer automatically switches on. A chemical reaction takes place in the reformer: this reaction converts methanol into hydrogen. The hydrogen then goes to the fuel cell to be converted into electricity. The electricity is stored in the battery pack and used to drive the pump. As soon as the battery is fully charged, the fuel cell switches off again to reduce operating hours.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element on Earth. Hydrogen is gaseous, odorless and invisible. The properties of hydrogen are very similar to that of natural gas. This provides insight into how hydrogen can be used as a fuel or energy carrier. Hydrogen has the highest energy density per unit weight with an upper value of 141 MJ/kg. That is more than three times that of natural gas and diesel.
A hydrogen molecule (H₂) is made up of two hydrogen atoms (H). There is no presence of carbon in the molecule, so hydrogen does not emit CO2. This leads us to the role that hydrogen can play within a sustainable energy system.
BBA Pumps hydrogen innovations
The BBA Pumps innovation team has taken an impressive step in the use of mobile hydrogen pumps, the first mobile pumps with hydrogen drive are ready for production. We will begin with hydrogen combustion engines for our dry selfpriming BA pumps. The next step in the hydrogen development process will be mobile pumps with a fuel cell.
The first model is a BA150KS D285 sewage pump. The centrifugal pump and vacuum system are standard. We use a hydrogen combustion engine to drive the pump. This four-cylinder 2.2-liter engine delivers a power of 25.6 kW at 1800 revolutions per minute. The M10-23X canopy is fitted with special features for safety compliance.
A second pump set in the BA180E D328, multifunctional hydrogen pump. Here we will also utilise a standard vacuumassisted sewage water pump from the BA series.
For the drive we use a stronger hydrogen combustion engine with a power of 67.5 kW. The M12-29 canopy is also provided with features to ensure safety working safety. Mobile pumps with hydrogen combustion engines emit no CO2. Of course, this assumes that you use only green hydrogen! Follow BBA Pumps on social media for more news on Pump Drive Systems of the Future!
BBA Pumps has been a leading manufacturer of mobile pumps and piping systems for over 60 years. We supply and support our products all over the world. BBA pumps and accessories are developed for use in a variety of applications: construction, wellpointing, flood control, sewer bypassing, mine dewatering and maritime industry.
