Abstract
This chapter addresses the so-called Industry 4.0 and some of its applications in industrial pumps, seeking to emphasize its characteristics and benefits. The introduction of 4.0 industry technologies in this traditional industry can cause profound changes in existing business models, providing greater customer satisfaction, either improving the effectiveness of equipment operation, contributing to better adjustment to working conditions, and also prolonging their life cycle. We are still in the early stages of these technologies and a lot is yet to evolve; however, there are already interesting examples developed by some pump manufacturers around the world, some of which will be mentioned in this chapter. It is subdivided into three main parts, namely brief historical panorama from the first industrial revolution to Industry 4.0, current applications in the industrial pump industry, and finally, future research directions and conclusion.
TopIntroduction
The first Industrial Revolution arose about two hundred and fifty years ago and the industrial equipment production and application processes are in constant evolution: cost reduction, higher productivity rates, increased reliability and return on investment are constant drivers in the industry.
In this context Industry 4.0 comes up. It is characterized by the combination of various technologies that are gaining momentum today, such as the Internet of Things, Big Data, Cloud Computing, and the Integration of Physical and Cybernetic Systems, creating the so-called smart factories and businesses. Other technologies would be mentioned here such as artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, new forms of energy and energy storage, quantum computing, neurotechnologies, new materials, implantable and wearable technologies, connected houses, smart cities, bitcoins, blockchain and the shared economy (Schwab, 2015; Hermann, Pentek & Otto, 2015).
Two aspects distinguish Industry 4.0 from other previous revolutions: the speed, breadth, and depth of the transformations that will emerge from it; fusion of technologies and interaction between the physical, digital and biological domains (Schwab, 2015).
An important intention of such technologies is to decentralize production and allow decisions to be made in real time, based on accurate data or even autonomously by machines, according to the needs of each moment, bringing clear gains in productivity, material savings and reduction of maintenance costs, since the machines will have information to operate more efficiently and following demand fluctuations.
This is the main purpose of this chapter, i.e., to address the latest applications, advances and trends of Industry 4.0 in pumping fluids in various areas, such as process industry, water supply among others, exemplifying with case studies.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Industry 4.0: Also called Fourth Industrial Revolution is an expression which encompasses some technologies for automation and robotics that uses concepts of cyber physical systems, internet of things, cloud computing, and other technologies.
Flow Rate: The capacity or flow rate is the fluid flow in volume per unit of time that the pump transfers from a point of lower energy condition to one of higher energy condition.
APP: A mobile application or mobile application is software designed to be installed on a mobile electronic device such as tablets and smartphones. Apps are commonly known as apps or mobile app.
Information Technology: This is abbreviated as IT. It is the broad theme that encompasses all aspects of generation, processing, distribution, and information management in an organization.
Industrial Pump: It is an equipment which is used for a broad range of applications across many industries. An industrial pump is used to displace many different types of products, including water, chemicals, petroleum, wastewater, oil, sludge, slurry, food, or others. Usually the categories used in industrial applications include centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps.
Head: It can be defined as the energy per unit per unit of weight that the fluid will require from the pump to be pumped at a given flow rate.
Frequency Inverter: Generally, a frequency inverter, also known as VFD, or Variable Frequency Drive is an electronic device capable of varying the speed of rotation of a electric motor.