KSB Multitec Multistage High-Pressure Pump

Overview

The KSB Multitec is a multistage high-pressure centrifugal pump in ring-section design, built for horizontal or vertical installation in long-coupled or close-coupled form. It covers nominal discharge sizes from DN 32 to DN 250, flow rates up to 1,500 m³/h, heads up to 1,000 m and discharge pressures up to 100 bar on selected sizes, with fluid temperatures from -10 °C to +200 °C. KSB lists water supply, drinking water, pressure boosting, irrigation, fossil-fuelled power stations, boiler feed and condensate, fire-fighting, industrial plants, desalination and geothermal plants among its main applications, and supplies a dedicated Multitec-RO variant in duplex stainless steel for reverse osmosis.

Seven Star LLC supplies the KSB Multitec to EPC contractors, water and power utilities, desalination operators and industrial plants in the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC. Our engineers in Muscat work from the KSB designation code to confirm the installation type, number of stages, hydraulic system, material code and seal code, so the pump fits the duty, the baseplate layout and the pipework on your project.

Operating Principle of the KSB Multitec

The KSB Multitec raises pressure in steps. Fluid enters the suction casing, which can be axial or radial, and passes through a series of closed radial impellers with multiply curved vanes, each followed by a stage casing that converts velocity into pressure. Stage casings, discharge casing and seal housing are clamped together and sealed with confined O-rings, and the number of stages sets the total head. A special suction-stage impeller gives a low NPSH value and better suction behaviour, which KSB highlights for suction-lift operation and for improved operating reliability.

Axial thrust from the stages is balanced by a balance drum; on pumps with a small number of stages the thrust bearing takes the axial load instead. The drive-end bearing is a fixed rolling element bearing, while the non-drive end uses either a product-lubricated plain bearing or a rolling element bearing depending on the installation type, with grease or oil lubrication. Because the pump can be driven by a 50 Hz or 60 Hz electric motor, a diesel engine or a turbine, it suits both grid-connected stations and remote or standby duties.

Engineering Design of the KSB Multitec

KSB offers seven installation types. Types A to D are horizontal long-coupled pumps on a baseplate, with an axial or radial suction nozzle and the drive on the suction or discharge side; these reach 850 m³/h (A, B) or 1,500 m³/h (C, D), 630 m head as standard and 63 bar discharge pressure, rising to 1,000 m and 100 bar on individual sizes. Types E and F are compact horizontal close-coupled pumps up to DN 65 with a common bearing for pump and motor, rated 100 m³/h, 250 m and 40 bar. Type V is a vertical close-coupled pump up to 200 kW. On the radial suction and discharge casings the nozzles can be turned in 90° steps, and flanges are drilled to EN or ASME.

The KSB Multitec material range is unusually wide. Casings are available in grey cast iron, nodular cast iron, steel, stainless steel, duplex and super duplex stainless steel, and the hydraulic system in grey cast iron, bronze, stainless steel, duplex or super duplex. The same seal housing takes uncooled gland packing, with or without barrier fluid, or a standardised mechanical seal to EN 12756, as well as single or double cartridge seals. Long-coupled pumps use a flexible coupling with or without spacer and a cylindrical coupling guard, while close-coupled pumps up to DN 65 use a rigid coupling.

Key Features of the KSB Multitec

From the KSB type series booklet, the main advantages of the KSB Multitec are listed below.

• Ring-section design from DN 32 to DN 250 with up to 1,500 m³/h and up to 1,000 m head on individual sizes.
• Seven installation types, horizontal and vertical, long-coupled and close-coupled, for flexible plant layout.
• Suction and discharge nozzles that can be rotated in 90° steps on radial casings to suit existing pipework.
• Low-NPSH suction-stage impeller for better suction behaviour and reliable suction-lift operation.
• Hydraulic balance drum for axial thrust, with fixed rolling element bearing at the drive end.
• Gland packing, EN 12756 mechanical seals and single or double cartridge seals in one common seal housing.
• Casings and hydraulics from grey cast iron and bronze through stainless, duplex and super duplex steel, including the Multitec-RO for seawater reverse osmosis.
• Electric motor, diesel engine or turbine drive, with optional motor-mounted variable speed system.

Industrial Applications

In Oman the KSB Multitec is a natural fit for high-pressure water duties. Desalination plants along the Batinah coast, in Muscat, Sur, Duqm and Salalah need high-pressure feed to RO membranes, where the duplex Multitec-RO resists seawater and brine. Power and water plants at Sohar, Barka and Ibri use multistage pumps for boiler feed and condensate transport, and the 200 °C temperature limit and steel casings on selected installation types suit these duties. Municipal water supply and pressure boosting for long transmission lines and hilltop reservoirs make use of the high head per pump.

Industrial users apply the KSB Multitec to fire-fighting water systems, high-pressure washing and descaling, filtering systems, cooling water and heat recovery in petrochemical, mining and steel plants. Diesel-driven versions serve standby fire and emergency water stations where grid power cannot be relied on. Seven Star LLC supplies KSB Multitec pumps, seals and spare parts with engineering support in Muscat, and can propose the KSB Etanorm volute casing pump for lower-pressure transfer duties on the same site.

Technical Specifications

The KSB Multitec figures below are from KSB type series booklet 1777.5/14-EN (Multitec / Multitec-RO). Limits vary with installation type, size, material and seal.

How to Order

To request a quotation for the KSB Multitec, send Seven Star LLC your flow, head, suction conditions, fluid and temperature, preferred installation type, material and seal, and the drive (motor voltage, diesel or turbine). Our team in Muscat will confirm the designation code, advise on stock, lead time and test certificates for Oman and the GCC, and the KSB type series booklet can be downloaded from this page. For smaller in-line duties see the Grundfos CR vertical multistage pump, and for borehole supply the Grundfos SP submersible pump.