There are many options, most depend on what you were pumping but one option is to repurpose! As in reuse, recycle and save for a new function. Give it a new life.

Kelair Pumps recently donated an old, broken steam turbine to the Australian Maritime College at the University of Tasmania.

The AMC is an internationally acclaimed centre of excellence in the field of defence, navel shipbuilding, maritime engineering, logistics and shipping. They are used by defence, industry and government world-wide and have staff with strong industry links.

Michael Underhill is one of those strong links as he used to work for Kelair Pumps Australia. He has since taken receipt of the old steam turbine and turned it into a cutaway. A cutaway is when part of the external casing has been removed to reveal the interior. Thereby turning this old turbine into an educational tool and resource for students at the AMC. By re-purposing this steam turbine into a cutaway, students are able to see the internal mechanisms and see not only how it works but also how the turbine failed.

The turbine was removed from service as it was severely damaged by “wet” steam. The importance of protecting turbines against slugs of water cannot be overemphasized. The issue is not “wetness” of the steam, but with condensate, which is separated out as water. The harmful effects of water are; rapid erosion of blading and valves, in the case of turbine wheels with inserted blades, water may have a hammer-blow effect, tearing out the blades and destroying the rotor. Governing is adversely affected, the rotor may be permanently distorted and/or the turbine may be seriously damaged. Lastly, a danger of thrust bearing failure and consequent destruction of the turbine.

The COPPUS® Single Stage Steam Turbine RLHA is an axial split horizontal turbine with split sleeve bearings. It is most commonly used for industries that require continuous or standby emergency power such as petroleum, petrochemical, chemical, sugar, paper and food processing. As such it is certainly an ideal asset for the AMC.

Other pump types used in maritime/marine purpose are end-suction centrifugal, vertical multistage, side-channel, vacuum and helical rotor pumps.

Do you have any old pumps that could safely be re-purposed or given new life? Ensure that you dispose of your old pumps correctly.