www.ethiopianreview.com/news/77189
Witten, April 16, 2010 – Ruhrpumpen, an innovative and efficient pump technology company, marks their entry into the renewable energy market with pumps for solar power technology. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, of the total energy consumption in 2006 (excluding hydroelectric) worldwide, 1% was produced by renewable energy sources, with less than 0.02% from solar power. Even so, renewables are the fastest growing source of world energy today, with consumption increasing by 3.0% annually. The solar thermal power industry is also experiencing growth. With 1.2 GW under construction as of April 2009, and another 13.9 GW announced globally through 2014, there is huge potential. ANDASOL III (developed by MAN Solar Millennium) is a solar thermal power plant in Spain that will deliver electricity to 200,000 homes by 2011, and Ruhrpumpen has been selected to provide the pumps for the solar field. These pumps are the heart of the solar power plant. A heat transfer medium (synthetic oil in a closed circuit) is pumped to the solar collectors where it is heated (up to 400 C). The transfer medium is then pumped through a series of heat exchangers to produce steam, which is converted to clean electrical energy in a conventional steam turbine generator. The ANDASOL III power plant can also store energy in the form of molten salt, also heated by the transfer medium. Molten salt stores thermal energy that can be used to produce steam when the sun is not shining, or on overcast days. Two liquid salt storage tanks, along with the sheer magnitude of the solar field, will allow the power plant to operate 24 hours a day, making it more profitable. For this application, Ruhrpumpen selected an API between bearing, single–stage, horizontal double-suction pump. Chrome steel was selected for the casing and impeller due to temperature and pressure requirements. The pumps will be equipped with bearings, cooling systems, seals, gauges, and lubrication systems, and will be driven by electric motors and variable frequency drives. For more information about the Ruhrpumpen pumps, you may submit your question online; send an e-mail to info@ruhrpumpen.com, or visit www.ruhrpumpen.com.