Pumps and Systems Success Story of the Year 2010 Finalist
The impeller of the Central Saltwater Cooling Pump on the USNS Lewis and Clark was demonstrating premature wear and efficiency from corrosive saltwater and cavitation. Instead of completely overhauling the pump and piping system, the team on the Lewis and Clark decided to have the impeller and casing rings reengineered.
Sims Pump Company increased the impeller inlet and exit vane angles, shortened the vane sweep and redesigned the inlet portion of the vane to reduce the effects of cavitation and make the impeller more efficient at the operating design point.
The SIMSITE structural graphite composite impeller required 37 amps less of energy for operation, which saved the organization $204 per day and $74,554 annually.
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The new computer designed and engineered Simsite structrual graphite composite impeller and rings were installed inside this central salt water cooling pump isze 16 in. onboard the USNS Lewis and Clark (class T-AKE)