Energy Recovery announced a new partnership with Kemper Valve and Fittings, a Caterpillar company, to design and produce the second generation manifold trailer, or missile, for Energy Recovery's VorTeqTM hydraulic pumping system.
The VorTeq system is an application of Energy Recovery's award-winning PXTM Pressure ExchangerTM technology in the hydraulic fracturing industry, and will be used to protect pumps from constant and costly failures by re-routing abrasive proppants (most commonly sand) away from high-pressure pumps.
After a rigorous process, Energy Recovery has selected Kemper as a partner to design and manufacture the second generation missile that will house the Company's third generation VorTeq Pressure Exchangers. The second generation missile will be designed to better insulate the Pressure Exchangers from the system excitation and pulsations that were experienced on the prototype missile, as well as to increase volumetric capacity and endeavor to yield performance levels more emblematic of the commercialization standard defined in the Company's licensing agreement.
Energy Recovery's President and CEO Joel Gay stated, "Our partnership with Kemper underscores an unflinching commitment to commercialize the VorTeq and fully unlock and deliver its value to our shareholders. Kemper rose to the top of a decorated selection of potential design and manufacturing partners on the basis of its portfolio of tried-and-tested surface-level equipment within the oil and gas industry. By working closely with our engineers, we believe Kemper to be uniquely qualified to successfully deliver a second generation manifold capable of mitigating the system excitation challenges and vibrational operating concerns witnessed with our prototype missile throughout the milestone mobilization testing process in 2016. Importantly, the second generation missile is being designed in parallel with our third generation VorTeq cartridge to constitute the second generation VorTeq Hydraulic Pumping System. We will therefore execute milestone testing with this new system, one that contemplates the lexicon of data acquired throughout 2016, the expertise of an industry-leading capital equipment manufacturer and the latest fluid physics technology in the form of a new Pressure Exchanger. This partnership with yet another industry bellwether furthers our confidence in achieving milestone success in 2017."
Tim Hennessey, General Manager of Kemper Valve and Fittings, added, "Kemper Valve and Fittings is pleased to be working with Energy Recovery, Inc. in the engineering, design and fabrication of the next generation VorTeq flow iron. The opportunity to participate in this ground-breaking technology fits with our strategy of differentiating ourselves within the Oil and Gas sector. We believe that our expertise in oil services manufacturing, combined with Energy Recovery's deep knowledge of fluid physics and material science, creates a natural fit for this initiative."