The U2 ND – An Industrial Problem Solver

Last month we introduced you to our world-class PD pump line. This month, we are taking a deep dive into our newest Universal 2 ND Industrial Pump (U2 ND) and its remarkable success less than two years after launching in the industrial sector. The Waukesha Cherry-Burrell® (WCB) U2 ND tackles the toughest applications in the industrial market. And I’m not just saying that for a snazzy hook in a blog post - we prove it every day for customers around the world. So let’s take a look at some of our early successes.

High Torque Polymer Applications

A customer in the polymer processing industry faced repeated pump failures with their mag-drive gear pump due to high torque requirements. They initially selected the mag-drive gear pump to avoid complications with double mechanical seals, barrier fluid seal pots and a nitrogen blanket. However, soon after installation, the pump began to fail because its internal rotor and magnet couldn’t generate enough torque to drive the external gear, leading to a decoupling of the magnets. Essentially, the motor continued running while the internal magnet stopped rotating - preventing fluid transfer. To mitigate the issue, the customer started heating the product in silos to reduce viscosity – which, as you might expect, is an expensive and inefficient workaround that significantly increased operational costs.

The customer upgraded to the WCB U2 ND model 320 pump, featuring a single mechanical seal. This pump’s advanced design, including large shaft diameters, a robust bearing structure, and external circumferential piston (ECP) rotors enabled it to handle the customer’s high-viscosity, high-torque application without requiring an additional flush system.

The U2 ND ECP-style pump proved to be a highly reliable solution, maintaining a consistent product flow and eliminating the costly process of heating the polymer. Our customer now saves thousands of dollars annually on operational costs and enjoys increased productivity thanks to uninterrupted pump performance.

A New Standard for Industrial Plants

A leading manufacturer of consumer cleaning products faced a challenge while preparing to launch an oxidizing cleaner. Their production lines used a mix of pump technologies, including air-operated diaphragm pumps, progressive cavity pumps and gear pumps. To standardize operations across five new fill lines, they needed a robust, cost-effective pump solution capable of handling the demanding application while reducing long-term costs.

The manufacturer turned to WCB U2 ND Positive Displacement Pump, which was recommended by their local distributor. This external circumferential piston (ECP) style pump is designed specifically for industrial applications and effectively solved their needs with its durable construction with non-galling Alloy 88 rotors that excel in handling medium viscosity fluids in harsh environments. U2 ND’s high-efficiency design minimized our client’s energy consumption while maximizing throughput, and its compact footprint reduced floor space requirements compared to progressive cavity pumps. Additionally, the pump’s efficient design required fewer parts, resulting in significantly lower maintenance costs and less downtime. By switching to the U2 ND, the manufacturer also standardized their pump technology across all fill lines, streamlining maintenance and operations.

The transition to the ECP-style pump delivered significant benefits including improved efficiency, a streamlined production processes, reduced downtime and overall increased throughput. The pump’s durable construction and reliable performance also lowered total ownership costs by reducing maintenance needs and extending equipment lifespan. Additionally, standardizing pump technology simplified their operations, reduced inventory complexity and made staff training more efficient. Finally, the pump’s consistent, reliable performance ensured smooth operations and high-quality production across all fill lines. The U2 ND solution not only addressed the manufacturer’s immediate challenges but also set a new standard for industrial pumps with its reliability, efficiency and value.

It's only been 18 months since we launched the U2 ND, and these are just two highlights from the hundreds of successful pumps currently deployed and performing around the world, but it’s clear that this pump is a market disruptor for all the right reasons. Do any of your customers have similar issues to the problems we solved? Let me know and I’ll connect you with our team of application experts to tailor a solution your customers will love. To learn more about U2 ND, click here.