High efficiency axial flow pump

Commercial-scale marine aquaculture has the potential to close the gap between an increasing demand for high quality seafood products and marine fisheries near maximum sustainable yields. Aside from the purchase of feed, energy costs are the highest source of continuous investment in the aquaculture industry. A high-efficiency pump that is specifically designed for use in recirculating aquaculture systems will reduce energy costs associated with water movement and aeration. To this end, MDM applied for, and received, Phase I funding from the USDA SBIR program to determine the feasibility of an integrated impeller and rotor in conjunction with an external stator that is capable of delivering 3,200 m3 day-1 (600 gal min-1) of water at 3.0 m (10 ft) of total dynamic head with a wire-to-water efficiency in excess of 75 While the Phase I research answered the question of the pump's technical feasibility, it yielded little guidance on the practical aspects of building such a pump. Much research is still necessary to construct a working prototype including material selection, the impacts that various component materials will have on overall pump performance, and the likelihood that CFD modeled results can be duplicated in a working prototype. Technical objectives necessary to create a marketable product include: i) determine the mechanical and electrical limits of the stator; ii) construction material selection; iii) prototype and test loop construction; iv) prototype evaluation; and v) beta testing: MDM is pursuing two alternative design tracks to develop a working prototype: One with conventional permanent magnets and the other with a new technology that creates higher flux densities than currently achievable with standard technology. The Phase II effort will result in a working prototype of high-flow, high-efficiency, low-footprint pumps for the aquaculture industry. The improved efficiency lowers operating costs - a major