Building on the success of the Flexmag 4050 C, the Flexmag 6100 represents a significant leap forward in single-use flow measurement technology. The Flexmag 4050 C, renowned for its biocompatible and gamma-sterilizable disposable flow tube, set the standard for single-use applications such as filtration processes, chromatography, and buffer and media preparation. The Flexmag 6100 takes these features to the next level by integrating a fully digital interface using the Ethernet/IP communication protocol, enhancing connectivity and data management. For more information, visit www.krohne.com.
DIESELCRAFT FLUID ENGINEERING
Model FPS-400S Stationary Stainless Steel Diesel Fuel Polishing System
Tired of dealing with contaminated diesel fuel wreaking havoc on your equipment? The Model FPS-400S Stationary Stainless Steel Diesel Fuel Polishing System is the ultimate solution to protect your fuel and your machinery. With proprietary, cutting-edge filter-less purifier technology, it removes 99 percent of water and solid contaminants from your fuel before it even reaches the filters. This means fewer filters are needed to complete the job, saving you time and money. Unlike the competition, we deliver unmatched efficiency and performance from the start. For more information, visit www.dieselcraft.com.
INDEECO
iHeat Tubing Bundle
The iHeat Tube ETB Bundle is suited for instrument impulse lines for pressure transmitters, process analyzer sample lines, and CEMS lines. With dependable freeze protection and precise temperature maintenance, the iHeat Tube ETB Bundle offers increased process control. It is certified for hazardous area installations and features a full line of electrical connection and termination kits for secure and compliant setups. ETB bundles are available with heat trace self-regulating cable options (LSR, MSR, and HSR) to support various temperature maintenance needs and are approved for FM and CSA Class I Division 2 safety standards. For more information, visit www.indeeco.com.
SENSOR TECHNOLOGY LTD.
TorqSense SGR541 Torque Transducer
Precise monitoring of viscosity during the melting process is crucial for quality assurance in quartz glass production. The TorqSense SGR541 provides great robustness against extreme process conditions (temperatures, thermal shocks, possible vibrations) in the melting range of quartz glass with separate sensor unit and electronics. Calibration can be customized using reference samples or model melts in order to map the torque-viscosity relationship in detail in the specific process setup. For more information, visit www.torqsense.com.
The Vickers by Danfoss ICMB Cam Lobe Motor features a compact design, making it ideal for space-constrained applications. The motor offers flexible installation options, enabling easy integration into a variety of system configurations. The motor can be provided with a hollow shaft to facilitate mounting on a driveshaft via a shrink disc coupling, or with a splined internal bore to facilitate mounting directly on a splined shaft. A through hole provides additional application flexibility. The motor can be torque-arm or flange mounted. Torque-arm mounting eliminates the need for additional couplings, flanges, or bedplates. The torque arm and its attachment aid in motor installation and eliminate the need for alignment bearings.
HIGH OUTPUT TORQUE AND LOW INERTIA
Designed to provide high output torque and low inertia, the ICMB motor is capable of delivering full torque from zero speed. The motors are available in a displacement range of 15,100 to 52,800 cc/rev, delivering torque of 240 to 840 Nm/bar and rated speeds of 21 to 94 rpm, depending on displacement. The motor’s low moment of inertia and high power-to-weight ratio enable superior dynamic performance and help prevent damage in the event of an unexpected slowdown or stop. Its low inertia also enhances dynamic response speed, reduces system pressure shock to improve system stability, increases control accuracy, and lowers energy consumption, especially during startup and shutdown.
HIGH EFFICIENCY PERFORMANCE AND LOW MAINTENANCE COST
The motor’s overall efficiency can reach 95 percent or higher. This high efficiency results in lower operational costs. Maintenance costs are also reduced, as lower heat extends the life of motor components.
VARIETY FOR YOUR APPLICATION NEEDS
The Vickers by Danfoss ICMB Cam Lobe Motor is designed for rotary drive applications, such as winches, drills, conveyors, bucket wheel reclaimers, crushers, shredders, feeders/breakers, kiln drives, and pinch feed rollers. Four motor frame sizes cover the wide displacement range. A fifth frame size, currently in development, will further expand the range.
In modern biomethane production plants, the screw compressor is used as the primary compression stage because of its efficiency, reliability, and ability to treat large flow rates continuously, efficiently, and reliably. Downstream, the reciprocating compressor acts as a booster, bringing the gas to the higher pressures required for feed-in or storage. This combination ensures maximum energy efficiency, low maintenance, and 24/7 operational reliability.
SAFE S.p.A., a leading player in compression solutions for biomethane, CNG and hydrogen, recently brought to market a new package with screw compressor developed for compressing biogas in the upgrading process to biomethane. The unit is designed to ensure continuous operation, maximize energy efficiency, and simplify plant integration. It is available in a containerized “plug and play” configuration to minimize installation and commissioning times.
SUITABLE FOR A RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
The new SAFE compressor has been developed to operate under very low suction conditions (100– 500 millibar), maintaining stable performance with variable flow rates up to 2,500 standard cubic meters per hour and discharge pressures up to 16 bar gauge. The new screw-compressor range spans installed power up to 400 kW, making it suitable for integration in both small- and large-scale plants.
The water-cooling system (with SAFE-supplied air cooler—installable on the top of the container or at ground level alongside it) and the oil-flooded screw configuration, with triple gas filtration, ensure thermal stability, reliability and service quality. The sound level of the compression package in operation is limited to 60 dB(A) at 1 meter.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN
The heart of the unit is the compressor body on a slide-out removable skid, a solution that enables immediate access and fast replacement during maintenance services. Machine control is oriented toward maximum efficiency: service regulation is based on maintaining suction pressure, with automatic motor speed adjustment, and a recirculation line to handle processes with variable flow rates and pressures—extending the operating envelope.
Options include a heat recovery system, sub-cooling with chiller and outlet biogas temperature control. These extensions have been developed and made available to increase overall service efficiency and facilitate integration with plant interfaces.
A READY-TO-USE SOLUTION
With this new screw compressor, we are providing the biomethane market with a robust, efficient and easy-to-integrate industrial platform, capable of continuous operation and optimizing consumption even in the presence of variable flow rates and very low suction. The goal is to give customers a ready-to-use solution, scalable and configurable on existing plants, that reduces commissioning times and maximizes reliability over the life cycle.
TECHNICAL NOTES
Suction pressure: 100–500 millibar; Discharge pressure: up to 16 bar gauge
Flow range: up to 2,500 standard cubic meters per hour
Installed power range: 75–400 kW; Noise: up to 60 dB(A) at 1 meter
Basic product configuration: “plug and play” container; water cooling with SAFE air cooler; oil-lubricated screw compressor skid with triple filtration
Slide-out removable skid for fast and easy maintenance; service control on suction pressure with internal recirculation; options: heat recovery, chiller, outlet temperature control.
Riccardo Bagagli is chief technology officer for SAFE. SAFE designs and manufactures compressors and infrastructure for natural gas, hydrogen, and biomethane, offering complete solutions from the well to distribution and refueling for mobility. It has always promoted the use of clean energy through innovation, experience and responsibility. SAFE is distinguished by its ability to develop tailor-made solutions that provide maximum flexibility, modularity, and adaptability to any application context. For more information, visit www.safegas.it.
In industrial settings, energy spiking and other performance irregularities wear down equipment, reduce efficiency, and drive up costs. What’s needed in these high-performance environments is a motor that can reliably and smoothly meet power needs without succumbing to the wear and tear associated with such harsh workloads, but that can be hard to come by. However, Wolong Electric America, a global leader in industrial motor and drive technology, has engineered its Permanent Magnet Direct Drive Motors to optimize performance, improve efficiency, and reduce total cost of ownership across a wide range of demanding environments.
SMOOTH OPERATOR
Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) Motors eliminate the need for belts and sheaves by employing a direct drive design, drastically reducing mechanical complexity and removing common points of failure. This simplicity lowers maintenance costs and increases reliability, delivering significant operational advantages. At the heart of each unit is a rare earth magnet core that generates stronger magnetic fields and enables a more compact footprint, while offering superior efficiency and performance compared to traditional ferrite-based options.
The PMDD is operated by a variable frequency drive (VFD), ensuring precision control and supporting smooth acceleration and deceleration, reducing energy spikes, and extending system life. The motors also feature a 4:1 turndown ratio, allowing them to maintain torque and efficiency even at low speeds, an ideal solution for variable demand conditions and ambient system adjustments.
THE RIGHT COMBINATION
By eliminating belts, this direct coupling to fans significantly lowers radial load on bearings and reduces mechanical stress. With approximately 20 percent greater efficiency than conventional induction motors, users can realize dramatic energy savings. These motors also deliver smoother startups with no inrush current, reducing electrical strain and enhancing equipment longevity. This is especially valuable in large-scale or sensitive installations.
Thanks to the combined benefits of reduced maintenance, longer service life, and ultra-high energy efficiency, PMDD motor users will experience significantly lower total cost of ownership.
COOL CUSTOMER
Permanent Magnet Direct Drive Motors operate much cooler than induction alternatives and are designed for long-lasting durability. They can also be custom-engineered into configurations tailored to specific application needs, whether for data centers, refineries, or OEM-designed equipment such as heat exchangers. Wolong Electric America’s approach supports easy integration with OEM and packager systems, helping streamline supply chains and service support.
BUILT FOR THE FUTURE
Future-ready and built with evolving regulations in mind, Permanent Magnet Direct Drive Motors position OEMs to meet or exceed anticipated Department of Energy efficiency standards. Whether modernizing legacy equipment or building new systems with longevity and efficiency at the forefront, Wolong Electric America’s PMDD Motors offer a forward-looking solution that replaces outdated conventions with a high-performance, regulatory-compliant alternative.
With over 130 years of legacy engineering and GE motor manufacturing excellence, Wolong Electric America is a global leader in industrial motor and drive technology headquartered in Houston, Texas with manufacturing in Monterrey, Mexico. Guided by a highly experienced North American leadership team, the company delivers high-quality, energy efficient micro to high voltage motors, drives, controls, energy storage systems, and transformers. Wolong is committing to investments in advanced product technologies and process enhancements such as industrialization 4.0, robotics, and digitization. For more information, visit www.wolongamerica.com.
A young visitor observes the Wild Reef exhibit, watching fish swirl through one of Shedd’s most immersive underwater habitats. Photo courtesy of Shedd Aquarium
Nearly two million people walk through Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium each year, drawn to the coral forests, stingray pools, shark habitats and freshwater worlds that fill its galleries. What they never see is the infrastructure that makes these environments possible. Behind the exhibits, inside mechanical rooms and through raceways of PVC and thermoplastic valves runs one of the most sophisticated life support systems in North America.
Across the facility, more than five million gallons of water move continuously through filtration loops, flow meters and UV units, deaeration towers and automated systems. The system supports nearly 32,000 animals and a wide range of unique habitats. It is engineered with a requirement that confronts few industrial operations: it can never stop.
A WORLD IN CONSTANT MOTION
In industrial water treatment, shutdowns happen. In an aquarium with living animals, they can’t. Sensor calibration, valve maintenance, pH control, salinity adjustment, and all treatment tasks must be performed without interrupting flow. A lapse of even a few minutes could destabilize a sensitive habitat or stress the animals within it.
To meet these operational demands, Shedd’s life support design has evolved significantly over the past decade. Modernization efforts accelerated as the aquarium expanded conservation programs and rebuilt habitats to meet higher standards for water chemistry, environmental enrichment and animal welfare.
The result is a hybrid system where mechanical reliability, automated analytics, and adaptive control work in tandem. When new exhibits are constructed, the infrastructure around them is engineered to maintain strict tolerances from the moment water enters the habitat through the first introduction of animals.
“At the start of these new habitats, we have uncured concrete,” says Shedd Systems Operations Manager Nick Kaiser. “And occasionally, we may have to acid etch them, so we can use these devices to monitor the pH, but also they relay output of the Signet 9900 Transmitter to control pH adjustments and remove any kind of contaminants that may be in that concrete before we have the exhibit ready for the animal.”
This level of precision requires instrumentation that can operate continuously, even during maintenance.
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago upgraded its monitoring and control architecture with components from GF Piping Systems. FlowtraMag flow meters were instrumental for accurate measurements in tight spaces. Photo courtesy of GF Piping Systems
INSTRUMENTATION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
To support uninterrupted operation, Shedd upgraded its monitoring and control architecture with technologies supplied by GF Piping Systems. These include advanced automation components, corrosion-resistant valves and flow measurement devices designed for high accuracy in complex piping geometries.
One of the most critical upgrades involves Shedd’s sensor maintenance workflow. Traditional pH or ORP probes require a shutdown or bypass to remove them for calibration, cleaning, and occasional replacement. GF’s, Wet-Tap assemblies, supplied and installed as part of the modernization, solved that.
“The awesome thing about these Wet-Tap assemblies is I can come up here and remove that probe without getting wet, without having to isolate the system,” explains Kaiser. “We can maintain live water flow without having to shut anything down.”
Flow measurement posed other challenges. With tight mechanical rooms and dense pipe routing, traditional insertion-style flow sensors would have required much longer straight runs of pipe to be installed, at significant additional cost, or resulted in lower accuracy. GF’s full-bore FlowtraMag meters offered a solution designed for tight spaces.
“It can be difficult for an insertion-style flow sensor,” notes Director of GF Piping Systems Brian LaBelle. “With the full-bore mag, you get high degrees of accuracy even in tight geometries like this.”
The result is a monitoring network that maintains performance without demanding structural changes or downtime.
Water enters the exhibits after deaeration. The ORP probes are installed in-line using wet-tap devices, so they can be pulled for maintenance without getting wet or shutting anything down. Photo courtesy of GF Piping Systems
EVERY DROP COUNTS
For the operations team, life support isn’t only about filtration and flow. Managing water for living systems requires precise control of a continuously changing product.
Thermoplastic valves were supplied to replace corroding metal components, offering longer life and smoother operation in saltwater environments. Continuous ORP measurement keeps disinfection systems stable. UV units are calibrated to precise flow rates to maintain pathogen control without over- or under-treating.
Each parameter is monitored not just for engineering performance, but for its biological impact. The Signet 3719 pH/ORP Wet‑Tap assemblies support electrode removal and reinstallation under full process pressure.
For an institution with a conservation mandate, including a long history of wildlife rescue, habitat rehabilitation and sustainable operations, these engineering investments have broader implications. Efficient water management contributes directly to reduced resource use, lower environmental impact and the long-term wellbeing of the animals in Shedd’s care.
Young visitors engage with the Wild Reef Shark Habitat, captivated as a variety of marine animals glide past. Photo courtesy of Shedd Aquarium
ADAPTING FOR CARE AND CONSERVATION
One of Shedd’s long-term goals is designing systems that are as adaptable as the science behind animal care. As habitats evolve, so must the infrastructure behind them.
That philosophy influences equipment selection, redundancy planning and system layout. Thermoplastic valve upgrades, next-generation sensors and modular control systems allow Shedd to modernize piece by piece without disrupting ongoing operations.
For GF Piping Systems, the decades-long partnership has been defined by this continuous evolution. “Shedd Aquarium has been a great customer of GF Industry and Infrastructure Flow Solutions,” LaBelle adds. “It’s been our pleasure and honor to support them over the decades, and we look forward to decades more.”
Pacific white-sided dolphins break the surface of their habitat at Shedd Aquarium. Photo courtesy of Shedd Aquarium
BEHIND CLEAR WATER
The public sees shimmering habitats. The operations team sees a complex ecosystem of pumps, valves, sensors and controls working in perfect coordination. Shedd Aquarium’s life support system is the unseen engine that safeguards thousands of animals every hour of every day. Because at Shedd Aquarium, every clear tank tells only part of the story. The real work happens where few will ever see, and GF Piping Systems is the supplier behind the scenes, providing components that keep these systems running.
Sabrina Boccuzzi covers topics related to building, construction, industry trends and broader trade topics. She can be reached at sboccuzzi@mercurymc.us. As the leading flow solutions provider for the safe and sustainable transport of fluids, GF Piping Systems creates connections for life. The division focuses on industry-leading leak-free piping solutions for numerous demanding end-market segments. Its strong focus on customer-centricity and innovation is reflected by its global sales, service, and manufacturing footprint and its award-winning portfolio, including fittings, valves, pipes, automation, fabrication, and jointing technologies. For more information, visit www.gfps.com.
Data centers supporting artificial intelligence development are increasing in number throughout the country. Amid rows and rows of servers, these data centers depend on cooling water systems to keep running, and regulating the water flow requires installation freedom and long-term reliability in space-constrained, high-density environments.
Enter Krohne, a leading provider of industrial process instrumentation, who is supporting the rapidly growing data center market with Waterflux electromagnetic flowmeters that combine zero straight‑run requirements with high‑accuracy liquid cooling measurement for mission‑critical facilities. Krohne Waterflux flowmeters are redefining installation flexibility for high‑density data center cooling. As AI workloads drive higher rack power densities and push cooling systems closer to the rack, Waterflux enables operators and mechanical designers to optimize tight mechanical spaces without sacrificing measurement performance or uptime.
INNOVATION IS KEY
Unlike conventional flowmeters that require long upstream and downstream straight runs, the Waterflux platform features a unique rectangular, reduced measuring section that conditions the flow internally, delivering stable, repeatable measurement without needing any piping. This installation independence allows Waterflux meters to be installed directly after elbows, valves, reducers, or in compact skids, providing true Zero DN capability that aligns with the dense layouts of modern data center cooling galleries. For both designers and instrumentation leads, this eliminates a major layout constraint and simplifies integration of precise flow measurement into space‑constrained cooling water and liquid‑to‑chip loops.
PRECISION AND EFFICIENCY
In advanced data center architectures, including liquid‑to‑chip cooling and hybrid systems with heat recovery, accurate flow measurement at the rack, row, and plant level is essential to maintaining thermal headroom and energy efficiency. By continuously monitoring glycol‑water and other coolant circuits, Waterflux meters provide the real‑time flow data needed to balance coolant distribution, protect IT assets from hotspots, and avoid over‑pumping that increases energy consumption. This data underpins automated control strategies that adjust pump speeds and valve positions, helping operators reduce operating costs while maintaining availability and service level commitments.
Built on Krohne’s proven electromagnetic technology, Waterflux meters are designed for long‑term stability and reliability in demanding environments where uptime is non‑negotiable. The rectangular sensor design supports a wide turndown ratio and stable measurement even at low flow rates, enabling accurate metering across a broad range of load conditions typical of dynamic, high‑density data centers. With variants such as Waterflux 3050, 3100, and 3300, the platform covers applications from standard cooling water measurement to more demanding duties that call for advanced diagnostics and enhanced accuracy.
THE FUTURE IS IN SIGHT
As the data center industry continues to scale in support of cloud, AI, and digital services, operators are under pressure to increase energy transparency and support ambitious sustainability objectives. Waterflux integrates seamlessly into Krohne’s broader data center offering, which includes comprehensive measurement solutions for cooling water loops, secondary circuits, and heat and cold management in facilities that leverage heat recovery and district heating connections.
By combining installation‑independent flow measurement with robust, industrial‑grade design, Krohne gives data center stakeholders a measurement platform that supports compact mechanical layouts, smarter cooling control, and long‑term, sustainable operation.
Stefan Kranz is global industry division manager power generation for Krohne and can be reached at s.kranz@krohne.com. Krohne is a worldwide technological leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of accurate, reliable and cost-effective measuring instruments for the process industries. Krohne focuses on forming partnerships with its customers to provide them with the most reliable and innovative solutions available in the marketplace. For more information, visit www.krohne.com.
Nevel, an advanced utility infrastructure company, provides energy utilities as a service to its industrial and real estate customers. Digitalization, Valmet DNA Automation System and Valmet DNAe User Interface play an important role in doing it successfully.
Nevel operates more than 130 energy production sites and manages over forty district heating networks in Finland, Sweden and Estonia, producing 1.9 TWh of energy annually. The company serves almost 100 industrial and over 5,000 real estate customers with decentralized energy and circular economy solutions. With an annual turnover of EUR 150 million, Nevel employs 190 experts and is committed to climate-positive growth.
Nevel’s remote operation center experts operate and monitor thirty plants in Finland around the clock. The farthest plant is located more than 700 kilometers away in Kemi. Local staff at each plant carries out daily operation and maintenance tasks.
ADVANCED AUTOMATION IMPROVES SUPPLY SECURITY
“Secure supply is the most important aspect for Nevel and our customers. Our customers must get what they have ordered from us. An industrial-scale automation system, support and 24/7 services play a major role in ensuring our supply security,” says Tuure Laurila, manager, operation center.
Over the years, Nevel has been digitalizing its energy production and offsite operations. Based on centralized data and analytics, a digital operations and maintenance platform gathers all the data needed to support business decisions, bringing significant synergy benefits and direct cost savings.
Fifteen plants in Nevel’s fleet in Finland—the largest CHP and heating plants—are operated with Valmet DNA Automation System, which is an integral part of the digital platform. The company has automated plant processes as much as possible to make them run almost by themselves.
It has been great to see how well the DNAe User Interface at Nevel has been scaled up to operate so many plants. As the company had earlier been using DNA Operate for a long time, they have been able to compare the two interfaces. We have been listening to their valuable feedback and developing the interface further based on it.
NOW VIRTUAL SERVERS AND A WEB-BASED USER INTERFACE
During 2021–24, Nevel and Valmet carried out a major automation system upgrade that included a switchover to a virtual, redundant and centralized server environment and an update from the DNA Operate user interface to the new web-based Valmet DNAe User Interface.
“Today, we have not a single operation station at the operation center, only virtual ones. We can access the servers through a web browser in our secured network. This adds to data security, as the servers and data are in a safe environment elsewhere,” Laurila explains.
Changes to the automation system architecture can be made remotely without the need to travel to the plant site in question.
IMPROVED CONTROLLABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY
Nevel was drawn to the opportunities that the new advanced interface offers for a centralized environment.
“The fewer SCADA systems we have, the easier it is for us to control our scattered fleet. Having the same functionalities and easy-to-use user interface is a benefit for us as it improves controllability, for example, through centralized alarm management at our operation center,” Laurila says.
The innovative DNA UI extends the use of the automation system beyond traditional remote operations. Built with the latest web technologies, it comes with a secure web-based access that enables various users to access relevant information whenever they need it, regardless of their location. The new interface is fully compatible with earlier Valmet DNA system generations.
According to Laurila, the web-based access and the flexibility brought by it are the absolutely best benefits of the new interface.
“We used to have a lot of different operation stations at the operation center, but now we can monitor and operate our fleet from two redundant operating stations. We don’t need as much room and as many screens as we used to.”
When the Nevel operation center recently moved to a new location, there was only minimal infrastructure to pack.
EASY TO USE AND CREATE DASHBOARDS
DNA UI shows relevant information on visual, well-structured and easy-to-understand dashboards. These process and sub-process views enable the users to control the process in an intuitive and efficient way as they see the key performance indicators at a glance.
One of the DNA UI users at the Nevel operation center is Tuomo Nummela, operations engineer. He appreciates the UI’s clarity, graphical design and scalability.
“I find the new interface easier to use than DNA Operate. It is simpler to create dashboards, too,” Nummela says.
The operators at the Nevel operation center learned to use the new interface quickly. Their favorite features include the centralized alarm management and the historian tool that is easier to use than in the earlier interface.
Tuure Laurila knows that, if needed, DNA UI can be equipped with even more features and analytics. However, the company is currently happy with the solution as it is. For example, it is possible to integrate proactive maintenance monitoring into the interface later.
To ensure smooth automation system operation, Nevel has a service agreement with Valmet to provide 24/7 technical system support. There is a remote connection to Valmet, too.
Arto Mäkinen is sales manager for automation at Valmet and can be reached at arto.makinen@valmet.com. Valmet’s Automation Solutions business area delivers mission-critical automation for global process industries and the marine sector. Its portfolio spans measurements, analyzers, and integrated control systems with digital optimization and life-cycle services, improving efficiency, quality, safety, and sustainability. For more information, visit www.valmet.com.
Through its many engineering and educational programs, the Electrical Apparatus Service Association (EASA) provides members with a means of keeping up to date on materials, equipment, best practices, and state-of-the-art technology—and there’s no better place to see the organization’s best and brightest than its annual convention, held this year in Orlando, Florida. EASA is an international trade organization of more than 1,700 electromechanical sales and service firms in nearly seventy countries. Its members sell and service industrial electric motors and related rotating apparatus such as generators, pumps, fans, compressors, gearboxes, and blowers.
OPEN TECHNICAL FORUM
Attendees looking for specific answers to their bespoke industry needs have a home at the ever-popular open technical forum facilitated by EASA technical support specialists. Stand elbow to elbow with some of the brightest minds in the electromechanical repair and service industry as they field questions from real-world dilemmas. It’s service advice without a safety net, as all attendees are invited to stump the panel or offer their own solutions to today’s most challenging motor queries.
INTRODUCING THE EASA MOTOR WINDING WORKBENCH
New for the 2026 convention, EASA Motor Winding Workbench is the name for the new online program to access the EASA winding database and for verifying and redesigning three-phase windings. The database of reference motors and the computer program for redesigning three-phase windings evolved over decades, through early MS-DOS and Windows operating systems. With Workbench, these client-based programs are replaced with an online program accessible through the EASA website. All of the traditional resources and tools are included in Workbench, and additional three-phase winding redesign features have been added. Workbench can be accessed from any operating system that supports standard web browsers, including iOS and Android, supporting use on notepads and mobile phone devices.
FOCUS ON INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS
The rapid evolution of industrial electrification and decarbonization, but also the general trade and political environment, is reshaping how electric motor and generator systems are maintained and repaired, but also replaced around the world.
Across Europe, Asia, and emerging markets, companies are adopting various strategies, advanced technologies, and best practices to extend machine lifecycles, improve their performances, but also reduce unplanned outages, carbon footprint, and increase their recycling rates, for example, but not only.
Key innovations include the application of condition-based monitoring using IoT sensors and AI-assisted fault diagnostics for predictive maintenance, advances in rewinding materials, insulation systems.
This presentation illustrates some of the most important industrial developments and international best practices in various industrial sectors, but also different approaches between the United States and the rest of the world, especially global trends in motor/generator systems services, workforce skills, tools, training, regulations, software, and how EASA is supporting its members in that large region, which projects are developed with its committees, which events are proposed, which topics are discussed, which training are offered, what kind of partnerships do EASA develops.
For years, EASA members have also been interested in seeing those developments in the rest of the world, so why not learn from them at our important convention in the United States and discuss some possible joint projects between EASA members in the world?
NEW SOLUTIONS THEATER
Finally, no EASA convention would be complete without the New Solutions Theater. The New Solutions Theater provides attendees with an opportunity learn about the top company’s latest products. Each twenty-minute slot in the New Solutions Theater right on the Solutions Expo floor is a great way to learn about the next wave of products and services influencing the direction of the electromechanical apparatus industry.
Vertical turbine pumps can offer great flexibility in their applications without sacrificing performance in industrial markets or running afoul of regulatory issues for municipalities. National Pump Company, a recognized market leader in vertical turbine pumps, highlights its line of deep well vertical turbine pumps, engineered to deliver outstanding reliability and versatility for demanding water extraction projects.
With hydraulics spanning from 6 to 30 inches, these pumps support flexible system design to accommodate a broad range of well sizes and can deliver flows up to 20,000 gallons per minute, making them the preferred choice across a variety of sectors. The pumps are capable of reaching heads of up to 2,500 feet and offer power ratings up to 2,000 horsepower, providing dependable performance for both deep sources and high-elevation pumping needs.
CUSTOMIZED TO MEET TOUGH CONDITIONS
Durability and customization are central to every National Pump vertical turbine. The pumps feature discharge heads available in cast iron, ductile iron, or fabricated steel. Components are available in a choice of materials, including cast and ductile iron, silicon carbide, bronze, aluminum bronze, and a full range of stainless steels such as 304, 316, and duplex, ensuring resilience against corrosion, abrasion, and harsh chemical exposure. Customization extends to oil lubricated or water injection line shafts, threaded or flanged column construction, and packing or mechanical seal options to meet diverse operating conditions and site specifications.
CERTIFIED FOR PERFORMANCE
The ISO 9001 Certified Quality Management System, along with pump certifications such as NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and NSF/ANSI 372, ensures compliance with strict health, safety, and drinking water standards for municipal and industrial systems. All models are tested against Hydraulic Institute compliance standards, guaranteeing validated performance and efficiency.
AT WORK THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
National Pump covers all deep well needs with a comprehensive offering of precision-matched discharge heads, lubeline assemblies, column pipe, custom impellers, and bowl assemblies designed for consistent, reliable pumping capacity. All pump models are stocked in standard materials of construction and can be customized to customer specifications, with National Pump’s solutions hard at work in municipal water systems, agricultural irrigation, mining, industrial applications, and at premier golf courses.
FEATURES AT A GLANCE
6 to 30-inch hydraulics
Flows to 25,000 gallons per minute
Heads to 2,500 feet, up to 2,000 horsepower
Cast iron, ductile iron or fabricated steel discharge heads
Components available in cast and ductile iron; silicon, aluminum, and 304, 316 and duplex stainless-steel construction
Oil lubricated or water injection line shaft
Threaded or flanged column construction
Packing or mechanical seals
Certifications (when specified): ISO 9001 Certified Quality Management System, NSF61 and 372 Pump Certification
Testing to Hydraulic Institute compliance standards
National Pump Company is a leading manufacturer of vertical line shaft turbine, submersible, and booster pumps, serving a wide range of markets, including industrial, municipal, and API applications. Headquartered in Glendale, Arizona, at an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility, National Pump operates three strategically located build and service centers across the United States, ensuring responsive customer support and rapid product delivery. The company’s complete pump line can be NSF certified, and standard products are available for quick shipment with off-the-shelf components to meet diverse customer needs. National Pump Company’s vision is to be a leading fluid pumping solutions provider in the global water and energy markets through collaboration, innovation and engineering excellence. For more information, visit www.nationalpumpcompany.com.
Pump systems are often out of sight and out of mind—until something goes wrong. Whether serving domestic water, wastewater, irrigation, or fire protection applications, pumps are mission-critical assets that demand reliable operation. As infrastructure ages and staffing levels remain lean, continuous monitoring has become less of a luxury and more of a baseline expectation.
Not all monitoring solutions are created equal, however. In practice, pump system monitoring can be categorized into three distinct levels, each offering increasing degrees of visibility, functionality, and operational control. Understanding these levels helps owners and engineers select a solution that aligns with system criticality, risk tolerance, and budget.
LEVEL 1: BASIC ALARM NOTIFICATION
Reactive Awareness Through Autodialers
The most fundamental form of continuous monitoring relies on alarm-only notification. These systems typically consist of a standalone autodialer connected to discrete alarm points within the pump control panel. Communication is commonly provided via cellular service or traditional POTS lines.
At this level, monitoring is event-driven. When a fault occurs—such as pump failure, high water level, low pressure, or loss of power—the autodialer sends a voice call, text message, or email to a predefined contact list. The system provides awareness that something has happened, but little context beyond the alarm condition itself.
What operators gain:
Immediate notification of critical failures
Simple, low-cost implementation
Minimal configuration and IT involvement
What they don’t:
Real-time system status
Historical trending or performance data
Any form of remote interaction
Level 1 monitoring is best suited for small or low-risk pump systems, remote installations, or facilities where staffing is readily available to respond on site. While limited, autodialers still play an important role in preventing prolonged outages or catastrophic failures by ensuring alarms are not missed.
LEVEL 2: CLOUD-BASED MONITORING
Real-time Visibility Without Remote Control
The next step up introduces continuous data visibility through an internet-connected monitoring platform. These systems use a cellular or Ethernet gateway to transmit operating data to a cloud-based dashboard accessible from a web browser or mobile device.
Unlike basic autodialers, Level 2 monitoring allows operators to see real-time values such as pressures, flows, tank levels, temperatures, and pump status. Alarm notifications are still provided, but they are now paired with context—operators can log in immediately to understand what is happening before dispatching personnel.
Importantly, these systems are intentionally one-way. Data flows from the field to the user, but no remote control is permitted. Pumps cannot be started, stopped, or adjusted from the dashboard.
What operators gain:
Live system conditions and trends
Historical data for troubleshooting and maintenance planning
Improved situational awareness across multiple sites
What they don’t:
Remote control or setpoint changes
Remote alarm resets that affect system operation
Level 2 monitoring is increasingly popular for municipal and commercial applications, particularly where policy, cybersecurity concerns, or regulatory requirements limit remote control. It strikes a balance between operational insight and system simplicity, enabling more proactive maintenance without increasing risk.
LEVEL 3: FULLY INTEGRATED SCADA
Complete Visibility and Control
At the highest level, continuous monitoring is fully integrated into a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. Here, monitoring and control are inseparable. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs), field instrumentation, and communication networks work together to provide a comprehensive, two-way interface between operators and pump systems.
Through secure remote access, operators can view detailed graphical HMIs, acknowledge and reset alarms, adjust setpoints, change operating modes, and start or stop equipment. Advanced systems may also incorporate automated sequences, performance analytics, and reporting tools.
What operators gain:
Full real-time and historical system visibility
Remote operational control
Centralized management of multiple stations
Faster response to abnormal conditions
What it requires:
Higher upfront cost and system complexity
Cybersecurity planning and user access management
Ongoing support, training, and maintenance
Level 3 solutions are typically reserved for critical infrastructure, large municipal systems, and complex pump networks where downtime carries significant consequences. When properly designed and secured, SCADA systems offer unmatched operational efficiency and control.
Selecting the Right Level
Choosing the appropriate monitoring level is not about selecting the “best” technology—it is about selecting the right one. Key considerations include system criticality, consequences of failure, staffing models, regulatory constraints, and long-term operational goals. In many cases, facilities evolve over time, starting with basic notification and expanding toward greater visibility or control as needs change.
CONCLUSION
Continuous monitoring for pump systems exists on a clear progression: notification, visibility, and control. Each level serves a purpose, and each has a place in modern infrastructure. By understanding these distinctions, engineers and owners can make informed decisions that improve reliability, reduce risk, and ensure pump systems perform as intended—long before an alarm ever sounds.
Romtec Utilities specializes in the design and supply of the best, most practical, most affordable, and most sophisticated site-specific pumping systems available worldwide. We have completed hundreds of projects across the United States and have supplied packages for international installations. For more information, visit www.romtecutilities.com.
