That left only one alternative. The project would use several very large pumps located at the reservoir intake station. Now the construction consortium just had to find a manufacturer that could produce pumps capable of delivering up to 6’400 liters per second and a head of 365 meters. In addition, to maximize the project’s benefits to the local economy, they wanted those pumps to be manufactured in Brazil.
After conversations with several original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), only Sulzer was able to demonstrate the necessary experience, design and manufacturing capabilities. The Sulzer solution involved five HPDM 500-970-2d/23 pumps, among the largest in the company’s range. These units have a 500 mm discharge diameter, 970 mm nominal impeller diameter and a high-efficiency two-stage impeller. Each pump is powered by a 6.8 MW electric motor and, operated in the middle of its performance range, has an output of 1’500 liters per second at a 365 meter head.
The pumps were manufactured by Sulzer in Brazil and tested at full load on the company’s in-house test bed, the largest in the country. Due to the exceptional size of the pumps, the customer witness tests had to be carried out at night to avoid overloading the local electricity supplies.
The completed units, together with lubrication and cooling packages also built by Sulzer, were then delivered to the customer. Sulzer specialists helped with the installation and commissioning of the pumps, and the company also delivered a full set of spare parts, including two complete rotor/impeller assemblies.
Sabesp is operating the system satisfactorily, integrating it in the in the São Paulo Metropolitan Water Supply System that will be capable of meeting projected growth in water demand for at least the next 10 years.