Pump bearings for a sustainable heat supply with lake water

Pumps and their adjacent pipework are a source of vibration that leads to disruptive noise when transmitted to the building structure. For this reason, an elastic bearing for the pump is just as important as elastic suspension of the pipes. During the construction of the new indoor swimming pool (Seebad) in Bregenz, the energy centre for thermal lake water utilisation for heating and cooling the urban area was built in the basement by Stadtwerke Bregenz. This plant is located directly underneath the sauna area, so it is essential that its operation does not cause any disruption to guests relaxing above.

Pump bearings

Six pumps are located in the central energy plant directly underneath the sauna of the new indoor swimming pool in Bregenz. These pumps need to draw lake water from a depth of 40 metres and return it to the lake as well as distributing it to adjacent buildings. As a result, the pumps are in continuous operation and generate strong vibrations. To prevent these vibrations from being transmitted to the building structure and thus producing disruptive levels of noise, elastic bearings were used for all pumps. This involved placing each of them on a concrete foundation, which in turn was mounted on six Isotop® DSD-BL2 bearings.

Pump system: Blue pumps on yellow vibration isolators for protection against vibrations.

Pipe bearings

Rigid connectors are often used to connect pipes to ceilings. However, this can lead to substantial problems. Because the sauna is located directly above the central energy plant in Bregenz, an elastic decoupling solution was put in place for the piping used to carry large volumes of water at high pressures. A frame supports the pipes on the floor, so the pipe clamps are equipped with our proven Sylomer® and Sylodyn® products.

Ceiling installation: large water pipes with vibration isolation and screw connections.

Lake water project

Using thermal energy from Lake Constance

The water 40 metres below the surface of Lake Constance has a constant temperature of 4–6°C. This water is pumped via a 600-metre pipe to the central energy plant of the new indoor swimming pool and transferred from there to the distribution network. The central energy plant serves as the control centre for the low-temperature district heating (LT-DH) network. In this type of network, the cold water does not lose any heat on its way to the consumers. Once there, it is typically heated to the required temperature using a heat pump. This also enables 'free cooling', a method by which buildings are cooled without using energy-intensive compressors. The first stage of the project consisted of connecting the new indoor swimming pool as well as the city's Festspielhaus events venue and world-famous lakeside floating stage to the LT-DH grid. This project represents a key step forwards in Bregenz's efforts to decarbonise its energy and heat supply.

Bregenz with the festival hall, floating stage, and buildings on the lakeside promenade at Lake Constance

Isotop

Proven machine bearings

Our Isotop® products have a proven track record as elastic bearings for HVAC devices lasting many decades. Combining the advantages of metal elements with those of our polyurethane materials, these machine bearings are easy to install and retain their unique elastic properties for decades.

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Getzner Isotop vibration dampers on metal, with mountains in the background.

Due to the difficult situation with high expected vibrations on the one hand and acoustically demanding rooms on the other, it was clear to us from the outset that we needed a competent and experienced partner at our side. In cooperation with Getzner Werkstoffe, all challenges were solved to our complete satisfaction. The result is impressive.

Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Oliver Drees Project Manager – Renewable Energies, Bregenz municipal utilities

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