Large-Scale Pumping Power for Data Centers
CUSTOMER CHALLENGE
When a data center in the Pacific Northwest decided to expand, it needed a pumping solution capable of meeting specific hydraulic and environmental requirements. The system needed not only to flush an extensive piping network, but also to operate in ways that minimize noise, eliminate emissions and reduce diesel fuel costs during commissioning.
Adding to the challenge was the facility’s complex space and schedule. The project spanned multiple buildings and was divided into two parallel operating zones – one serving the data center loop and the other serving the central utility building. To maintain the expansion timeline, flushing activities needed to occur simultaneously across both zones, with commissioning occurring over the course of a month. The scale of the piping systems, the high flow and high head required, and the required turnover volumes pushed the application well beyond the capabilities of standard rental fleet mechanical-flush solutions.
THE SOLUTION
To meet the electrical, safety and site-approval standards, Pioneer Pump designed and built eight customized ElectricPAK™ Pump Packages. Each high-capacity ElectricPAK integrated a centrifugal pump, a 300-horsepower electric motor and a variable frequency drive (VFD) into a single, factory-wired skid.
At the heart of each package was the Pioneer Pump 1212C17 Centrifugal Pump. The pump was designed to provide a higher head capability than a traditional 12-inch by 12-inch rental pump, while still delivering the high flow rates required for large volume mechanical flushing. This ensured it could provide the right hydraulic fit for long piping runs with meaningful system resistance – conditions common in large data center campuses.
Pioneer Pump’s SmartPrime™ HMI device assured optimum control. Franklin Electric pre-mounted and wired each VFD on the skid to streamline site installation. From an operational standpoint, the VFD-driven configuration enabled the pumps to operate over a wide speed range, approximately 900 to 1,800 RPMs. The SmartPrime interface allowed flush operators to quickly adjust pump settings as needed and required only 15 minutes of training to learn the system.
THE RESULTS
Deploying eight ElectricPAK units across two operating zones enabled parallel flushing of the data center and central utility piping systems. This approach significantly reduced overall commissioning time compared to a sequential flush strategy reducing total flush time by about 50%.
