Grundfos Pumps India Pvt. Ltd.
Bahrain’s Water Challenges: An Overview
In the Kingdom of Bahrain, one of the world’s most arid regions, water is as precious as gold. The region faces multiple challenges on the water front, such as inadequate water supply, groundwater depletion and poor water quality. These hardships also make it one of the most water-stressed regions in the world. While Bahrain’s economic engine is powered by the oil and natural gas sector, it is also driven by its agricultural sector that relies heavily on water. Hence there is a perennial requirement of reliable water supply for irrigation. Bahrain thus sought to evolve systems to meet dual imperatives – as its irrigation requirements as well as its drinking water needs had to be fulfilled. Water conservation became critical to this endeavor. Water quality also ranked high on the development agenda due to its profound implications on human health, the environment and the economy.
Grundfos Partners With Ministry Of Works
To meet these diverse objectives, the Ministry of Works formulated an all-encompassing master plan to manage the country’s water resources. The Bahrain Ministry of Works launched the Treated Sewage Effluent Project (TSE) Phase 2 programme, to treat sewage effluents and utilize the recycled water. This ambitious plan, in turn, involved building an extensive drainage network and connecting areas previously left out of the TSE framework. The TSE project sought to upgrade existing pumping stations, perform a hydraulic study of the existing TSE lines and assess future wastewater flows. The programme involved massive construction work to establish new transmission lines of 41km and distribution networks of 170 km. Under the programme, new reservoirs and pumping stations were also established. The project saw a watershed moment with Grundfos emerging as a key partner to the government.
USPs Of The Grundfos Solution
Grundfos, as a global titan in pumping technologies, supplied 11 pumps in total to this project. Five 160 kw pumps were installed in a primary clarification pit while four 110 kw pumps were strategically installed in a secondary clarification holding tank to transport effluent water. (A clarification pit is a large tank used in water treatment processes to remove suspended solid particles from the liquid, allowing heavier particles to settle at the bottom through gravity. The solids are separated from the liquids, enabling cleaner water to move through for further treatment). The installations were built around the guide rail and pressure flange system, a hallmark of Grundfos’s engineering capabilities. (Under this system, a pump is mounted on a set of guide rails to allow for easy up and down movement).
Grundfos pumps scored over pumps from other suppliers as the installation design was compatible with the narrow nature of the pump pits. The pumps could thus be easily withdrawn for maintenance and periodic inspections. As a result, the pumps also became ideal for those situations were in- situ repair work was not viable.
The client chose Grundfos over other options due to another key feature – the Smart Trim system. This cutting-edge technology a lowed users to adjust impeller clearance without disassembling the pump. (Impeller clearance is the space between the impeller blades and pump casing.
Optimum impeller clearance is important as it determines the overall efficiency and performance of the pump. It also directs the flow of fluid through the pump).
The Smart trim system was innovative and saved time and effort. The customer also realized that this option would enable them to save on maintenance costs. The Ministry of Works thus sought to collaborate with Grundfos due to the unparalleled excellence of the brand’s technology.
Triad of Excellence: Sustainable, Successful, Solution-Oriented
The Grundfos pumping solution proved to be a tremendous success. The setup at the Tubli facility treated about 200,000m wastewater per day and generate the recycled water for irrigation. It also turned out to be a boon for the marine environment as it significantly reduced the quantum of effluents discharged into the sea.
The Grundfos solution was eventually commissioned by the Ministry of Works. The setup commenced operations after some adjustments to the original version. During the critical adjustment period, a dedicated Grundfos agent was positioned in Bahrain to oversee the project and address any concerns the Ministry may have had. The exemplary after-sales service by the Grundfos team served to add to customer delight. The project also bore testimony to the excellence of the Grundfos team in all spheres, right from conception to after-sales.
Above all, the project won acclaim for exemplifying the principle of circularity by treating wastewater for efficient use elsewhere, promoting a green model of water use and propelling Bahrain towards sustainable development.
