There’s nothing our team loves more than an opportunity to put our heads together to create a solution for our clients. Whether reviewing specifications to recommend the right slurry pump for an application, or design and engineering for a full-service dewatering solution - we’re happiest when we’re hard at work problem-solving.
For us, it’s not only about checking boxes. It’s partnering with our clients to develop a complete solution. Our goal is to make process improvements that are more efficient, economical and safer with industrial pump systems and solutions. While every situation is different, we follow six key steps to ensure we put forward our best work, every time.
STEP 1 - Understand the Situation
GPM is the type of company that understands the right solution is often better than the quickest solution. We hop into the trenches with you to understand the systems you have in place and what you need to accomplish. We take a close look at every aspect of an operation, review application data, and ensure our team has a clear picture of what needs to happen next.
We recently worked with a municipal water treatment plant in northern Minnesota on a turnkey solution. The work kicked-off with a great meeting with all key stakeholders, so we could fully understand the challenges and variables at hand - such as pressure and flow requirements. From there, we were able to pencil out the right system infrastructure.
STEP 2 - Determine the Desired State
Once we understand the current state, we work together to determine the desired end state. What type of environment makes sense for pump infrastructure? What benchmarks should be met? What other special considerations must be evaluated before a solution can be put in place? Once we know, for example, a system needs to pump 400 gallons per minute, the type of material being pumped and how far that material needs to travel (vertically and/or horizontally), we can make intentional decisions to help the system reach its desired state of operation.
At the municipal water treatment plant, we worked with the client to determine the desired end state: to be an efficient and reliable pumping system, housed in a climate-controlled environment on a floating barge. Being in the climate of northern Minnesota presented challenges to maintain consistent and reliable operations - so our team was sure to factor in extreme temperature fluctuations.
STEP 3 - Select the Right Pump for the Job
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there is no one-size-fits-all pump. No single solution will work for every scenario. That’s why the GPM-Eliminator™ comes in different strengths and sizes. The right pump is available, and it’s our job to specify the best solution for your needs. We evaluate flow rates, best efficiency point (BEP), specific load profiles, electrical considerations, speed requirements, and more, to place the perfect pump into your system that will perform for the long-haul.
In any municipal facility, redundancy is key. We knew we needed two pumps, even though only one would run at a given time. We also knew we’d be placing the pumps in a temperature-controlled floating pump house. System requirements include 400 usgpm @ 277’ TDH. These factors led to specifying a solution with our partner, Flowserve, for two 8EML-3 stage pumps, each equipped with a 50hp 1800 RPM motor.
STEP 4 - Design the Full System
With all details at hand, we were ready for our engineers to get to work on the full system design. This is where the GPM magic truly happens. Our team goes beyond sales to include mechanical engineers, field service experts, machinists, technicians, data analysts and more - all working hard for our client. We work together to build out the full solution, beginning with design through manufacturing, testing and commissioning.
GPM executed working with the entire project team; engineering, designing and building an extremely durable, temperature-controlled floating barge system for the municipal water treatment plant. Minnesota winters freeze entire lakes, and the climate can also bring heat, sun, wind and stormy weather. We designed a rugged barge ready to withstand all the elements.
STEP 5 - Implementation and Installation
The final steps are to build, assemble and install. At GPM’s manufacturing plant located in Duluth, MN, with high-quality materials and a highly-experienced team, we stop at nothing to meet or exceed our clients’ expectations. We design and engineer the systems, we build them and we are on-site to aid in installing everything to our high standards and our clients’ expectations. Our team is also on site for testing and the commissioning of the project. From start to finish, you can depend on GPM.
Monitoring performance is important for a municipality. We equipped the system to allow for remote monitoring equipment for the water treatment facility, so plant operators are able to keep an around-the-clock eye on performance as necessary.
STEP 6 - Routine Maintenance
We build great pumps that work day in and day out for our clients, sometimes for decades on end! We recommend performing routine maintenance during already scheduled downtime to ensure everything runs smoothly and as designed for years. With proper care and maintenance, your GPM solution will continue to deliver. If anything unexpected comes up, our Field Service team can be on-site to help get things back up and running to reduce unwanted downtime.
Industrial equipment won’t last forever, especially without required routine maintenance. We designed an easy-to-access floating pump house complete with a floating walkway, to ensure the municipal water treatment facility team could easily gain access to service the pumps and equipment as required.
Providing clean water for a city required a full-service pump solution.
Interested in learning more about the solution we devised for the municipal water treatment facility? Download the full case study.
