Products
Expertise by Industry
Case Studies
Knowledge
-
Filtration for Heat Pump and Cooling Systems
- Screening and Pumping Combined
- Eel Regulation and EPA Rule 316(b) Compliant
- Protect Heat Exchangers and Heat Pumps from Blocking
Learn More
Browse Products
Topaz 400
Rotorflush Topaz filterpumps are medium head general purpose submersible pumps with integral self-cleaning suction intakes. They combine pumping and screening, delivering up to 60 m3/hr, 265 US GPM - and to a maximum head of 3.3 bar, 47 psi.
- Maximum output - 60 m3/hr, 265 US GPM
- Maximum head - 33 m, 108 ft
Price from: £8,235
Topaz 600
Rotorflush Topaz filterpumps are medium head general purpose submersible pumps with integral self-cleaning suction intakes. They combine pumping and screening, delivering up to 150 m3/hr, - 660 US GPM - and to a maximum head of 4.8 bar, 68 psi.
- Maximum output - 150 m3/hr, - 660 US GPM
- Maximum head - 48 m, 157 ft
Price from: £15,630
In the drive to reduce carbon emissions we've seen an increase in enquiries for the use of our products with open loop water source heat pump systems, and cooling water generally.
A Rotorflush submersible filterpump screening and pumping water directly from the water source prevents debris and particulate entering your heat-pump system.
How Rotorflush Filterpumps Protect Heat Exchangers
Rotorflush submersible filterpumps with integral self-cleaning suction intakes enable water to be screened and pumped simultaneously. This makes them the ideal option for supplying water for cooling systems and water source heat pump installations.
Open Loop Water Source Heat Pumps
Heat pump systems work by recovering heat (solar energy) stored naturally in the air, ground or water and using this recovered heat as a source of energy to heat homes and businesses. An open loop water source heat pump system uses open water, such as a lake, river, pond or the sea as its heat source. The water passes through heat pumps to transfer its heat before being returned to the water source.
Heat pump installers and manufacturers are recognizing the benefits of Rotorflush submersible pumps for filtering and pumping water through plate heat exchanges.
The filterpump's self-cleaning intake prevents weed and other debris from entering the system. This protects the narrow apertures within the heat exchanger and reduces the need for secondary filtration.
They offer a low maintenance solution to supplying open loop water source heat pumps where the water quality may be variable.
Rotorflush Self-cleaning Intakes for Cooling Water
There is massive and increasing demand for cooling water - both for industrial and domestic applications. Smart buildings are using heat exchange to save energy costs and reduce their environmental impact.
Cooling Water
A typical example would be the use of river water to cool servers. Raw water is abstracted and pumped through a heat exchange system before being discharged back to the river. Screening the water on intake will prevent debris, weed and aquatic life from blocking heat exchange equipment.
Rotorflush Filters Ltd offer self-cleaning intake screens for use with dry mounted pumps and vertical turbine pumps. We also make and supply submersible filterpumps with integral self-cleaning suction intakes. These both enable screening and pumping of water at source.
In the UK and Europe regulations are in place for Eel and Fish protection that limit cooling water intake velocity and the size of screen mesh that can be used. Similar protections are in force in North America within EPA Rule 316(b) for cooling water intakes.
Rotorflush self-cleaning intakes are designed for low intake velocity, 1 - 2 mm mesh screening and low maintenance.
Why Opt for a Open Loop Water Source Heat Pump System?
John Barker-Brown, special projects manager at British heat pump manufacturer Kensa Heat Pumps says:
“Using water as your energy source has a number of advantages when compared to air or ground source:
The heat transfer rate from water is far higher than that in the ground or air. The flow/circulation of the water source provides constant energy replacement.
The use of a water source removes the need to dig large trenches, often reducing the cost of installation compared to a ground source.
The return temperature to the heat pump is usually higher than either the ground or winter average air, increasing the CoP (coefficient of performance) of the heat pump.”
Fortunately for those living or working near an accessible water source, Rotorflush self-cleaning intake basket strainers and submersible filterpumps with built-in self-cleaning intake screens make drawing and using water for heat exchange easier and more feasible.
Why Are Open Loop Systems Becoming More Popular?
The UK and other countries are seeking to reduce their output of greenhouse gases by the increased use of renewable energy and low energy systems
In the UK the Renewable Heat Incentive (the RHI) provides an incentive for installing heat pump systems. RHI is a payment system for the generation of heat from renewable energy sources introduced in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2011. It applies to industrial and domestic installations.
Water has a greater capacity to retain heat than air, and it is better at transferring heat in plate heat exchangers. Air systems are at their least efficient on the coldest days when they are most needed, whereas river and lake water is a more efficient store for heat, retaining energy from the sun that has built up in the preceding months.
The Dept for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) recognises that there is huge scope for open loop water source heat pump systems within the UK and has published a map identifying the 40 urban areas that can immediately benefit from the adoption of these systems.
The use of Rotorflush filter pumps has increased the feasibility of low maintenance open loop water source heat pump installations.
Domestic Heat Pump Filtration
I contacted the team at Rotorflush Filters Ltd as I was looking for a submersible pump that would work well alongside my open loop heat pump systems.
Joel Gustafsson
Joel Gustafsson ConsultingSimple, reliable filtration was a prerequisite to it working and the self-cleaning filterpump suited the application perfectly.
The sales and technical team were happy to discuss my requirements and recommended the Omnia O35012-16MA fitted with a 50 micron mesh. All communication was efficient and I was updated at each step of my order, the team worked hard to expedite delivery and made a custom tweak to the cable to assist with the application.
As a consequence, the installation was easy and I am very pleased with how it is working, thank you to all at Rotorflush Filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
All of our self-cleaning intake screens are specified to suit required flow rates, for instance filterpumps are recommended based on the flow rate and pressure your system needs and intake strainers and screens are specified according to the maximum flow through that is required.
Consideration should be given to what mesh size you need - top tip, go for the largest mesh size you can to minimise maintenance. This will be determined by the smallest aperture the water you are drawing needs to go through; check with your heat pump manufacturer.
If you need advice or more information please get in touch.
We need to know how much water your heat pump system needs - the maximum flow rate will determine the size of intake and pump required.
We also need to know the operating pressure. To accurately specify this we need to know:
- The static head - i.e. how high the water needs to be lifted
- The pressure drop through the heat exchanger / heat pump from the manufacturer
- The length of the pipe run from the water source and back to the water source
- The pipe diameter and ideally the number of bends / elbows in the pipe work.
This will allow us to calculate the overall pressure drop through your system and specify the correct filterpump.
Not every submersible pump is suitable to be turned into a filterpump.
When we manufacture a filterpump we re-engineer the pump to have an additional impeller to provide the wash water to the screen without sacrificing the output of the pump.
Re-engineering a pump can often invalidate its warranty. Therefore, we would highly recommend that you opt for one of our Filterpumps that come with their own 1-year warranty.
If however you have a particular pump that you would like to be made into a filterpump please contact us to discuss.
Increasingly, the Environment Agency makes taking steps to protect eels a condition of abstraction licences in England and Wales. These environmental regulations may have a bearing on the type of filterpump or strainer you need.
Our Products can be sized to account for Eel Regulations or EPA rule 316(b) if applicable, so that intake velocity and mesh size meet regulatory requirements for the flow rate you require. We are happy to advise, please get in touch.
Yes – because our products pump and filter directly from a dirty water source, there is less need for additional expensive in-line filtration. All our products have built-in self-cleaning backwashes that prevent intake screens from blocking, keep pumps clear and protect other connected equipment.
This reduces maintenance, minimises downtime and can extend the life of pumps. In addition, our products are easy to install directly in your water source, often avoiding the need for expensive building and engineering work.
Why Rotorflush?
UK Designed and Manufactured
Talk to our friendly team of engineers to discuss your design requirements.
- Built to your water output
- Filter down to 3 microns
- Hand built in the UK
Leading Water Filter Experts
Talk to our friendly team of engineers to discuss your design requirements.
- Industry experts for 20 years
- 200 installations
- Installed worldwide
Worldwide Delivery and Service
Through our worldwide distribution network we offer the ability to:
- Deliver filterpumps worldwide
- Help service your filterpump
- Repair broken filterpumps
Talk to an Expert About Your Project
Call us now on 01297 560 229 | 8am - 5pm UK time
Or leave us a message and a member of our expert, friendly team will call you back and will find the filter pump for your needs.
- We work with you to identify your issues
- We can design & build a custom solution
- We can deliver our solution worldwide
Arrange a call back
Get the Filter Pump Your Project Requires. Talk to Our Friendly Team
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn more