Features and benefits of the Grundfos CM Range

Gain an understanding of Grundfos' Centrifugal Modular (CM) pump range and the benefits it offers for temperature control in industrial applications.

In this module, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the Centrifugal Modular (CM) pump range and explore the many benefits it offers. For many industrial applications, it’s crucial for pumps to be compact enough to fit into tight spaces without compromising efficiency. Grundfos’ range of CM pumps meets these demands—but there’s more to the design than just its size.

Let’s take a closer look at the CM range. CM pumps come in flow sizes ranging from 1m3/h to approximately 30m3/h, offering up to 16 bars of pressure, depending on the application. In addition to the standard CM pumps, there’s also an E-solution (CME) with a built-in frequency converter. This allows the pump to adjust its output according to system feedback, reducing power consumption and ensuring smoother operation.

The CM range is adaptable and can be used in a wide variety of applications, including temperature control units. Let’s explore the core benefits of the CM pumps. The CM range offers four key benefits:

  • Reliability
  • Global usage
  • Compactness
  • Customisation

 

Let’s start with reliability. Reliability is crucial—if a pump fails, it reflects poorly on the manufacturer. One of the most common issues in centrifugal pumps is leakage from the shaft seal. In a temperature control unit, this can be especially problematic. Any liquid leakage could damage nearby components, particularly electronics, since CM pumps are often placed near sensitive parts in compact units. The pump components must also be able to withstand sudden temperature changes to prevent breakage.

The Grundfos CM range tackles these concerns with several key design features:

  • A shaft seal with a stationary seal ring fixture helps prevent sticking, reducing the risk of damage and leakage, while also improving dry-running properties for added reliability.
  • The shaft seal is designed to transfer heat away through flanges instead of relying on rubber O-rings, which lowers the risk of leaks caused by O-ring damage.
  • A rotation indicator on three-phase motors ensures the pump is installed correctly, optimising performance and preventing inefficiency from incorrect rotation.

These smart design features enhance the CM range’s reliability, providing smoother, more dependable operation.

Now, let’s explore the global usage. The global applicability of the CM pumps is key to its versatility. It’s designed to work seamlessly in temperature control units worldwide, meeting both technical and legal requirements. With multiple voltage options, the CM can operate at 50Hz or 60Hz, making it suitable for use anywhere. The CM range also complies with energy efficiency and safety standards, including cURus and CC approvals in the US and China, ensuring legal usage across various markets.

Let’s focus on compactness next. From the beginning, compactness was a priority in the design of the CM pumps, as shown with the motor shaft doubling as a pump shaft to eliminate the need for traditional coupling. This design saves space and reduces costs, making it ideal for units like temperature control systems where a compact, cost-effective build is essential.

Now, let’s look at the customisation benefit.  CM pumps offer full customisation to meet specific requirements. In temperature control units, different fluids are used, with glycol and water being common. For these fluids, the AQQE seal is typically recommended, but there are a variety of shaft seals and rubber types available to suit different needs.

To handle varying temperatures, pressures, and fluids, the CM pumps are available in both cast iron and stainless steel (1.4301 or 1.4401), depending on the specific application. For different liquids, the Grundfos CM range can be customised with either a larger motor for heavier fluids, like cold glycol, or a smaller motor for lighter liquids.

But it is the self-priming variant of the CM range that sets it apart. It can create a suction lift of up to eight metres below the pump in under five minutes, making it an ideal solution for water treatment, domestic pressure boosting, rainwater systems, and more.

The CM self-primer must be filled with liquid before its first use. This fluid is essential for evacuating air and creating the necessary vacuum. Unlike non-priming pumps, the CM self-primer retains a water reservoir from the initial priming, improving its ability to handle air and reducing issues related to air in the system and dry running.

That covers the key benefits of the Grundfos CM range.

Let’s recap:

  • The state-of-the-art shaft seal design improves reliability and reduces sensitivity to impurities.
  • With various voltage and frequency combinations and all necessary approvals, the CM range is suitable for worldwide use.
  • The integrated motor and pump flange result in a more compact design, reducing manufacturing costs.
  • The CM range can be fully customised to meet specific needs and requirements.

Course overview

Modules
Modules: 4
Completion time
Completion time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level
Difficulty level: Advanced