PIA Industry Innovation Award

In 2016 the PIA launched the Industry Innovation Award, which recognises and encourages new products and techniques the Australian industry will need to foster in the coming years to remain a powerhouse in the global pump industry.

In developing the Industry Innovation Award, the PIA noted that the future prosperity of the Australian pump industry will be heavily dependent on the ability of PIA members to introduce innovation that meets the needs of Australian and regional pump users.

The climate, geography and resource development potential in the Asia Pacific will continue to present challenges for innovation to meet the environmental and economic circumstances of the region.

The PIA believes that Australian businesses are ideally placed to capitalise on this potential, the aim of the Industry Innovation Award is to encourage businesses towards impressive achievements in this arena.

In calling for applications for the 2016 award, the PIA asked applicants to demonstrate the contribution their design team had made to the industry with their new pump, pumping system or similar pump related project.

Applicants were advised that initiatives that save energy or minimise environmental impact through innovative design or system development would be well regarded in the judging process.

2016 award

Jon Mans from Pentair accepts the PIA Innovation Award from President Dave Alexander.

The winner of the inaugural PIA Industry Innovation Award was announced last November at the association’s annual dinner.

The award for 2016 went to Pentair Southern Cross for their SX700 – E-Vac In Line Vacuum Units. These pumps provide increased efficiencies and reduced completion times, all while meeting the increased safety requirements of working within a confined space.

In early 2016, a demonstration of the abilities of these pump units was conducted at Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering (MMHE), with very impressive results – the chosen SX pumps delivered up to 30m vertical discharge.

Following this demonstration, Pentair Southern Cross was awarded a contract with ZAR Lynx Malaysia on a product for Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) tank sludge removal and cleaning.

An ongoing issue that FPSO owners and operators experience is that the vessels need to be in dry dock for the tank sludge removal

An ongoing issue that FPSO owners and operators experience is that the vessels need to be in dry dock for the tank sludge removal and cleaning for a number of days; resulting in high costs. Often a hole had to be cut into the vessel for cleaning which then needed to be repaired.

ZAR Lynx and Pentair Southern Cross worked together to develop the SX700 series specifically for this application.

The compact unit can be carried by an operator, allowing for the possibility of tank sludge removal and cleaning to occur while the vessel is afloat, reducing dry dock costs and reducing the down time for the FPSO – a significant benefit to vessel owners and operators.

Find Engineering Related Companies In The Pump Industry Capability Guide

Welltech Total Water Management

Kelair Pumps Australia

Sykes Group Pty Ltd

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