WHAT IS FULL POWER?

All high pressure reciprocating plunger pumps are designed to displace particular maximum volume and generate maximum discharge pressure (discharge head). However, one can utilize the same pump for lower volume (flow rate) and lower pressure than its design. Here, maximum rated pressure and flow rate of the pump is considered as Full Power of the pump.

For example, we have a pressure washer with maximum 14 lpm and 140 bar maximum pressure. The pump with 140 bar pressure requires 5 hp. However, by increasing the nozzle orifice, the same pump can be used for reduced pressure i.e. 105 bar, 80 bar and 50 bar with 4 hp, 3 hp and 2 hp electric motor respectively. Here, the system with 140 bar is called Full Power because we utilize the maximum pressure and flow rate of that pump.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A SYSTEM WITH FULL POWER? DOES IT CONSUME MORE POWER AND WATER?

Basically, our concern is to save water and power. The misconception leads user to select lower flow rate, which consumes less water and/or lower pressure pump, which obviously requires less power (low horse power- hp) per hour, not necessary per job. Keeping only one view (i.e. power and water saving) in mind, customer demands low flow rate and low pressure pump. Here, PressureJet suggest buying a system, where pump with its full pressure and flow rate is being used. The basic price of the pump and other accessories have considerable share in the system price and if the system with full power will be selected, there may be a marginal price difference. Therefore, just for the sake of misunderstanding, one should not buy a pump with lower flow rate &/or lower pressure. Many a time, lower pressure &/or lower flow rate pump requires more time to complete the job, which in turn consumes more water, more power and more time !

One more criteria is as important as Full Power, i.e. weight and time available to finish the task. If more weight is not permissible and more time is available then, one can go for low flow rate &/or low pressure pump.

THE SECRET OF EFFECTIVE CLEANING

The pressure along with particular flow rate and nozzle type is directly responsible for breaking the bond between the debris and the object being cleaned, whereas the more volume of water (flow rate) determines how fast the dirt can be removed from the surface, once the bond between the debris and the surface has been broken. The pump with lower pressure requires more time to target the object to break the bond, resulting wastage of water and power. The pump with higher flow rate will require less time to clean; consequently, a washer with the lower flow rate will entail more time for the same job performed. Another theory is also very important in determining right flow rate or to make you understand our view. The secret of effective cleaning is ratio of pressure and flow rate as well as nozzle type.

While talking to customers, we have experienced several times that whenever they select their pump, first they ask for minimum power rating and minimum flow rate. Probably they check the feasibility of power available or they carry misunderstanding that due to more horse power motor, more power consumption will be there.

As far as power consumption per hour is concerned, it is obvious that higher the motor rating, higher the power consumption. But as far as power consumption with respect to efficiency is concerned, we should check that which pump requires what time to perform particular task.

THERE IS A SIMPLE EXAMPLE

One of our pump’s Full Power is 14 lpm – 140 kg/cm² with 5 hp
With the same pump, only by increasing an orifice of the nozzle, you can design a system with 80 kg/cm² with 3 hp motor (here flow rate is constant). You may run this 3 hp system for 1 hour to perform one task. However, you may require only 30 minutes for same task with 140 kg/cm² and 5 hp motor.

Power consumption of 3 hp pump for 1 hour is 3.14 kWh and for 5 hp pump, it is 4.9 kWh.
In case of 5 hp pump, because of its higher pressure, it finishes the task within half an hour, therefore, electricity consumption of 5 hp in half an hour is approx. 2.45 units, which is approx. 20% lower than 3 hp pump which runs for an hour. You will also save manpower for half an hour.

Similarly, 7 lpm cleaning pump may require 20 minutes to clean one car (here, pressure is constant). However, with 14 lpm, it requires 8 minutes only (because more flow rate of water carries dirt easily and faster than low flow pumps). I mean one should not only consider the flow rate, but he / she should check whether which combination of flow rate and pressure gives OPTIMUM RESULT.