Among other products, the scope of supply includes 13 HGM-RO high-pressure pumps, each driven by a 11,000 V, 1,300 kW high-voltage motor and capable of generating pressures of more than 50 bar. Reverse osmosis desalination systems require pressures in excess of the osmotic pressure of the water to be desalinated. The pump series HGM-RO has been specially developed for this type of application; it has meanwhile proven its worth around the world as a highly reliable pump with a low energy consumption. In addition, their back pull-out design makes them extremely maintenance-friendly.

The order further includes pneumatically or manually actuated butterfly valves types Danaïs, Mammouth and Isoria. The discs of the latter are coated with Halar® ECTFE, a highly corrosion-resistant fluoropolymer which has been successfully used for many years in applications involving the transport of seawater.

Once complete in September 2009, the “drinking water plant” will produce around 200 million litres of water a day. KSB received the order, which should have been completely shipped out by the end of next year, because engineering contractors were pleased with the performance of the same products on earlier projects.

Photo 1: HGM-RO high-pressure pumps of the type to be employed in the new seawater desalination plant in Tlemcen, western Algeria. (KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Frankenthal)	Photo 2: ISORIA butterfly valves with Halar® ECTFE coated discs are ideally suited for seawater transport. (KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Frankenthal)