A local utility hired a sub-contractor to recover methane from a landfill and process it into natural gas to sell as a low-cost fuel. The utility was a major customer for the company, which designed its operation around a low-flow, high-speed centrifugal pump running faster than 35,000 rpm. As the pump was throttled to control flow, deflection in the impeller caused excessive wear on the shaft and mechanical seal. This resulted in premature, unacceptable seal failure.

Hydra-Cell pumps do not have mechanical seals to wear, replace or fail. For methane recovery in nearly continuous operation, model D-35 (left) provides flow rates to 37 gpm at pressures to 1200 psi and model H-25 (right) has a maximum flow of 20 gpm and a maximum pressure of 1000 psi.

A Hydra-Cell model D-35 replaced the centrifugal pump. With its seal-less design and need for only minimal, routine maintenance, Hydra-Cell has provided dependable performance. Initially, the D-35 ran eight hours a day. A Hydra-Cell H-25 has been added into production for near continuous operation. The landfill is expected to continue recovering methane for 10 years.