Leisure Centre Case Study - Commercial Pool Pump Swap Out

Upgrading an ageing pump isn’t just about installing something new — it’s about improving efficiency, reliability, and long‑term performance. On one of our recent projects, we replaced a old Worthington Simpson 10 HP pump with a new AstralPool Kivu pump, enhancing the existing filtration without disrupting its hydraulic balance.

Our team also integrated the existing external variable-speed drive (VSD), allowing us to fine-tune the pumps performance and match the original flow rates with ease.

The Worthington Simpson pump had served very well, but due to its age efficiency had dropped, maintenance on it was becoming more frequent and its operating noise and energy use were increasing, so the smarter choice was to swap it out for a more modern replacement.

The Astral Kivu pump was selected for its strong hydraulic performance, robust construction, smooth, quiet operation and its compatibility to work exceptionally well with the existing external VSD controls on site at the Leisure Centre. 

One of the key requirements was to maintain the same flow rate the system was designed for.  After installing the Astral Kivu and connecting it to the existing external VSD, we carried out performance testing and system balancing. The results were impressive....

⭐ We were able to reduce the pump speed by 10% while still achieving the same flow rate as the old Worthington Simpson.

This improvement came from the Kivu’s more efficient hydraulic design, which allowed us to deliver the same performance at a lower speed.

📉 What a 10% Speed Reduction Means - Even a modest reduction in pump speed has major benefits:

1. Significant Energy Saving - Pump power is proportional to the cube of the speed.A 10% speed reduction can reduce energy consumption by roughly 27%.

2. Longer Pump Life - Lower speed means less wear on bearings, seals, and impellers.

3. Quieter Operation - The new pump runs noticeably smoother and quieter than the old unit.

4. Better Control - The external VSD gives the client flexibility to adjust performance as system demands change.

We removed the old WS pump, installed and aligned the new Kivu in position, updated the connection pipework and fittings where required, connected to the external VSD and tested and adjusted speeds to match the original flow performance.  Thoughtful plant upgrades – not just replacements – do deliver meaningful improvements and reduce running costs.  A great job completed by our fantastic team, and the 2nd Kivu pump swap we have now completed at this leisure centre!

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