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One of the largest fish-friendly submersible pumps in the world
The Stork OPH pump has an advanced pump shaft seal.

One of the largest fish-friendly submersible pumps in the world 

Part of the extensive Nieuwe Waterwerken Zoutkamp project is the construction of a new pumping station, which will soon largely disappear under water. Waterschap Noorderzijlvest and Strukton have deliberately chosen pumps from Stork Pompen, which guarantee high quality and long life due to their construction and advanced pump seals. These pumps are among the largest fish-friendly underwater pumps in the world.

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The casing was used to pour the civil structure.

We have been working with Noorderzijlvest Water Board for a long time, says Geert Hoeflaak of Stork Pumps. "Between 2018 and 2021, for example, we converted two pumping stations, expanded the capacity and increased the head. Furthermore, we are working on the electrification of storage basin pumping station De Drie Delfzijlen, and second other smaller projects are ongoing with the water board. The moment the new pumping station in Zoutkamp came on the market, we immediately signed up. There are really only two pump suppliers in the Netherlands who can take on such a project. We both gave a presentation in which we named the distinguishing factors of our pumps. Both the water board and Strukton were convinced to take the plunge with us."

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The design of the pumps already takes into account a possible higher capacity in the future.

Castings

Stork uses a design philosophy based on cast parts for its pumps. "So the pump housing is largely made up of one cast part," says Geert. "It dampens vibrations much better and the concept has a longer lifespan. In addition, the chosen Stork OPH pump has an advanced pump shaft seal. The biggest danger of a submersible pump is that water gets into the pump housing, and thus the motor. The whole concept of this pump is precisely aimed at preventing leaks. In addition, the specific construction of the pump ensures that the interplay of forces remains as balanced as possible, and this, in turn, benefits its service life. Certain aspects of the pump have been designed and coordinated with the water board in such a way that management and maintenance can be carried out as favorably as possible. We have had discussions about this with the pumping station manager." 

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The pumps are so large (11 meters long and nearly 2 meters in diameter) that they can only be tested in the field.

Fish Friendly

The new pumping station will soon have three Stork OPH pumps, each with a capacity of about 530 m3 per minute. The pumps are not only technically advanced, but also fish-friendly. "The design of the pump hydraulics with diffuser and impeller is such that at least 95% of the fish passing through the pump survive it," says Anne Bosma, project manager at Stork. He adds that Stork also designed the additional fish passage. "We supplied our FishTrack Fish Passage 3.0 for this, a proven concept with a year-round ecological efficiency of approximately 100%. A principle, by the way, that we have also previously applied for the Noorderzijlvest Water Board."

Stork uses a design philosophy based on castings for its pumps.

Pump curve

The substructure of the pumping station is already almost complete. Stork Pumps delivered the pump housings to site at an earlier stage. "The casing was used to pour the civil structure. Now they are back with us in the workshop and we are going to finish the pumps. They are scheduled to be installed in April 2025," says Anne. The pumps are so large (11 meters long and almost 2 meters in diameter) that they can only be tested in the field. Once installed, they will be electrically connected and put into operation. "Provided there is enough water," Geert adds. "We then draw up the pump curve that includes various scenarios, so that the water board will soon be able to pump the water in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. Nice detail, is that in the design of the pumps we have already taken into account a possible higher capacity in the future. It's just a matter of swapping out the motor."     

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