KSB SE & Co. KGaA is a leading manufacturer of innovative products and solutions in the field of pumps, valves, drives, frequency converters and controls. The company supplies customised system components for every conceivable application category, from heating circulation pumps to larger-dimensioned pump components in nuclear power plants. They offer a wide variety of pump designs based on the technical requirements of the medium being pumped.

The integrated service subsidiary KSB Service GmbH looks after the products that the parent company brings to the market. Its tasks include commissioning, repairs, provision of spare parts, engineering advice (for example on the life cycle of pumps) and, above all, on-site maintenance and servicing of the pump technology installed. When on site, service personnel use portable KATflow 200 ultrasonic flowmeters to match volume flow rates with measurements of installed measurement technology. The intuitive portable flowmeter helps them to confirm that pumps are  performing as they are supposed to and meeting their technical specifications. The verification of pumps in operation allows conclusions to be drawn as to whether the use of alternative pumps would be more efficient and whether replacement of components or a complete rebuild is needed. The flow measurements provided by the versatile KATflow 200 provide valuable insights for pump design and the dimensioning of systems.

During a life cycle of a pump, the operating conditions and the requirements can change. Special media, different densities and viscosities contribute to their service life, which is why a regular check of installed pump systems is not only sensible but necessary. As an example, pump requirements for residentual drinking water systems can change due to fluctuating numbers of inhabitants and expansion of the network area. The varying load placed upon the pump as a result of this deviation dictates regular inspections and adjustments to ensure the longevity of the unit. Part of the extended scope of KSB Service GmbH is also the determination of energy consumption and the assessment of possible cost savings of the systems, for example when pumps are retrofitted or converted. 

The non-invasive, portable clamp-on flowmeter KATflow 200 is a "very good tool for these technician assignments", says Mr Steffen Scholz, Head of the Service Centre Dresden/Schwarzheide of KSB Service GmbH. "The measuring technology is intuitive to operate, the menu navigation clear, the devices efficient to handle." Overall, an "increasing demand for such handheld technology" can probably be predicted, Mr Scholz continues. Sensor installation is quick and simple with the help of clips and chains and the positioning of the transducers is guided via the handheld device by an 'Audible Sensor Positioning Assistant'. The reliable Katronic portable flowmeter is immediately ready for use after entering a few measurement parameters and can be installed on processes which are in operation, regardless of conductivity or pressure. KSB Service GmbH offers a wide range of applications for the ultrasonic flowmeter. Potential measuring locations are all types of pipelines between DN 12.5 and 1,000.