Selecting the Right Secomak Gas Booster with Hurll Nu-Way
When it comes to ensuring optimal gas pressure for applications such as burners, boilers, ovens, or furnaces, selecting the correct gas booster is essential to maintaining efficiency, safety, and reliable performance. As the authorised supplier of Secomak gas boosters in Australia, Hurll Nu-Way offers access to a comprehensive range of high-performance centrifugal gas boosters tailored to suit specific flow rates and pressure requirements.
To assist you in selecting the most suitable Secomak gas booster for your needs, we’ve compiled this guide to walk you through the key considerations – from sizing to system configurations and overall package requirements.
Understanding Your Flow Rate Requirements
The first step in selecting the appropriate gas booster is identifying the maximum gas flow rate required for your application, measured in cubic metres per hour (m³/hr). This is typically calculated by determining the total installed flow rate of all gas-consuming appliances downstream of the booster, operating at full capacity.
Total Gas Consumption = Sum of Individual Appliance Consumptions
For example, if you have:
- Two gas burners, each consuming 100 m³/hr
- One CHP consuming 250 m³/hr
The total gas consumption would be:
(100 × 2) + 250 = 450 m³/hr
If the appliance consumption is only listed in kilowatts (kW), you can estimate flow using:
1 m³/hr ≈ 10.5 kW
For an 800 kW boiler:
800 ÷ 10.5 ≈ 76 m³/hr
Secomak’s product range, supplied by Hurll Nu-Way, covers flow rates from 300 m³/hr up to 2000 m³/hr, ensuring there is a suitable option for applications of all sizes.
Establishing Inlet Pressure
Knowing the existing gas pressure at the booster’s inlet is crucial. In many cases, Australian installations will have regulated pressures, but these can vary depending on location and system design. Accurate measurement helps to select the right booster for your application.
Determining Required Working Pressure
What pressure is required downstream after the booster? This directly influences the size and configuration of the booster. Each appliance or process may have different minimum gas pressure requirements, so it’s important to review these specifications.
Calculating Pressure Lift
Pressure lift is the difference between the required working pressure and the incoming gas pressure:
Pressure Lift = Required Working Pressure – Incoming Pressure
For example, if:
- Incoming Pressure = 20 mbar
- Required Pressure = 60 mbar
Then:
Pressure Lift = 60 mbar – 20 mbar = 40 mbar
Secomak’s standard boosters, available through Hurll Nu-Way, can provide pressure boosts from 30 mbar to 112 mbar, with special solutions available for lifts up to 500 mbar.
Selecting the Right Model
With your flow rate and pressure lift identified, these key parameters allow us to recommend the most suitable Secomak gas booster from our product range. By using Secomak’s product selector, we can quickly match your requirements to the ideal model, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
Choosing Between Single or Duty & Standby Configurations
Secomak offers gas booster packages in both single unit and duty & standby configurations, with both options available through Hurll Nu-Way.
- A single unit operates independently and is suitable for non-critical applications.
- A duty & standby system offers built-in redundancy, with two boosters installed—one operating while the other remains on standby. If the primary booster encounters a fault, the standby unit automatically takes over, ensuring continuous operation.
The duty & standby system also offers benefits such as automatic weekly switchover to balance wear and allow for regular maintenance without interrupting gas supply. For applications where uninterrupted gas pressure is critical, this is the preferred solution.
Considering Variable Speed Options
All Secomak boosters, supplied by Hurll Nu-Way, are available with either fixed-speed operation (running at 100% output) or variable speed control through Secomak’s Automatic Pressure Stabilisation (APS) system.
The APS system uses an inverter (VFD) to automatically adjust booster speed to maintain a target pressure, as set during commissioning. A pressure transducer installed downstream continuously monitors pressure, enabling the booster to adapt to changing demand.
Benefits of APS systems include:
- Reduced power consumption
- Lower operational noise
- Reduced wear and tear
- Ideal for sites with fluctuating gas demand
Managing Noise
Operational noise is a key consideration, particularly for noise-sensitive environments. All Secomak gas boosters operate below 85 dBA, within industry-acceptable limits. For sites with stricter noise limits, Secomak acoustic enclosures are available to further reduce noise emissions.
Safety Considerations & Compliance
All Secomak gas booster packages provided by Hurll Nu-Way comply with relevant safety standards, ensuring safe installation and operation.
Additional safety options include:
- Anti-vibration feet to minimise stress on pipework
- Flexible connectors for inlet and outlet connections
- Non-return valves (NRVs) to prevent backflow
For enclosed installations or locations with restricted ventilation (<10 m³), Secomak also offers an upgraded safety package incorporating Duomo gas detectors. These sensors can detect gas leaks and automatically isolate power to the booster to enhance safety.
Power Supply & Electrical Requirements
Secomak gas boosters are available in both 230V single-phase and 400V three-phase options. Ensuring compatibility with your site’s power supply is crucial when selecting your booster package.
Installation Space & Maintenance Access
Secomak’s centrifugal gas boosters are designed for compact, efficient operation, but proper installation space must be allowed for ventilation, airflow, and access for servicing. Hurll Nu-Way can assist in assessing your available space to ensure a smooth installation process.
Long-Term Flexibility
Operational requirements can evolve over time. Secomak gas boosters offer flexible configurations, making it easier to adjust performance parameters if your gas demands or pressure requirements change. This adaptability helps future-proof your investment.
Technical Support & Local Expertise
As Secomak’s trusted Australian supplier, Hurll Nu-Way offers comprehensive technical support, from initial selection to installation guidance and ongoing maintenance. Our team of local experts can help you assess your application and recommend the optimal Secomak solution for your site.
Conclusion
Selecting the right gas booster is critical to ensuring the safety, efficiency, and reliability of your operation. By partnering with Hurll Nu-Way, you benefit from access to Secomak’s world-leading gas booster technology along with local expertise, aftersales support, and a proven track record of delivering tailored gas pressure solutions across Australia.
If you need assistance selecting the ideal Secomak gas booster for your application, contact Hurll Nu-Way today for personalised guidance and expert support.