Thompson Pump’s Cold Surprise Revealed:

Port Orange, FL (Oct. 22, 2006) – Thompson Pump & Manufacturing Co., an industry leader in the development of high quality engine-powered portable pumps, debuts the Arctic Knight® cold weather pump package at the 2006 WEFTEC show.

The Arctic Knight® is a simple and reliable cold weather package which allows a diesel-driven pump to be used in climates as cold as 40 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit. The system eliminates the traditional problems of operating pumps in cold climates such as frozen liquids in the pump, cracked pump housings, and engine starting problems. The package also eliminates the need for expensive and often unreliable accessory items such as block heaters, fuel heaters, and glow plugs.

The Arctic Knight® system is completely independent and does not require other equipment such as generators or auxiliary heaters to operate. No modifications are needed for the pump to operate in temperatures ranging from 40 degree below 0 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, the actual desired temperature inside the enclosure can be pre-set and locked to allow for the most efficient operation.

Another key feature of the Arctic Knight® is the automatic start and stop. The auto start and stop allows the pump to be turned on and off automatically based on the liquid level, allowing for unmanned operation, which is especially desirable for frigid temperatures.

The Arctic Knight® works via a self-contained, thermostat controlled heating system which operates from the on-board fuel supply to regulate and maintain the temperature inside the enclosure.To prevent liquids from freezing when the pump is off, an auto-drain feature automatically drains the fluid inside the pump and piping system. Unlike conventional automatic drain valves, this system does not require external electrical power to operate. The auto-drain achieves a much higher closing force that prevents debris from interfering with the operation of the valve.

In addition to the Arctic Knight®, Thompson Pump unveils two other products at WEFTEC: a hydraulic submersible pump with automatic start/stop and an electrically-driven pump with variable speed control. The hydraulic submersible pump with Automatic Start/Stop system energizes and de-energizes the hydraulic circuit while automatically adjusting the speed of the hydraulic power unit. Typical hydraulic power units for submersible pump ends require manual start and stop, manual needle valve adjustment and manual speed adjustment. Thompson Pump’s development minimizes labor costs and allows for considerable fuel savings. Automatic throttle control allows the engine to warm-up and cool-down, thereby, reducing engine wear.

“Others have tried to add automatic start and stop systems to hydraulic power units in the past and have met with minimal success,” said Dale Conway, VP, Engineering, Thompson Pump. “Thompson Pump has developed a proven system which eliminates the typical problems associated with conventional start and stop systems.

The hydraulic submersible pump to be shown at WEFTEC, a 32HPU with a 46HST, handles solids up to three inches, has a maximum capacity of 1,575 gallons per minute and pumps efficiently at heads up to 128 feet. These pumps are designed to run dry without damaging components and are manufactured from heavy-duty cast iron and steel for high reliability and maximum versatility. Thompson’s hydraulic power units and submersible pump ends provide a powerful answer when high heads or high lifts become a factor on job sites. The submersible pump end eliminates suction lift limitations, allowing pumping in deep excavations, manholes, open pits, quarries or mines.

The electrically-driven pump with an inverter and pressure transducer allows for variable speed control and has a built-in soft start. Electric motors without inverters can only operate at one speed. Operating at one speed can lead to problems such as pump cavitation, over-pumping, under-pumping, water hammer, electric motor overheating due to excessive starting and high power bills. This 8JSCE pump eliminates all those problems.

The 8JSCE, an 8-inch compressor-assisted, high-pressure jet pump, leads the industry in construction, industrial and mining applications. With its heavy-duty cast-iron construction and ability to dry-prime and re-prime automatically, this model is ideal for sewage bypass. Designed for high flows to 2,700 gallons per minute and moderate heads to 195 feet, this end-suction centrifugal pump can handle solids up to 3”.

The unit contains the Enviroprime System® specifically designed to prevent blow-by, such as sewage, from discharging onto the ground, thus making the models environmentally safe. The Enviroprime System® extends the life of the pump by separating air and water, keeping the venturi from clogging and shutting the unit down. This innovative system, along with high efficiency impellers, lessens power requirements resulting in reduced operating costs.

Thompson Pump is an industry leader in the development of high quality engine-powered portable pumps, ranging in size from 2”-18”, for use in varied applications in the areas of public works, municipalities, construction, agriculture, dewatering, mining, sewer/lift stations, and water/waste water. The company sells and rents their entire line of dewatering pumps including wet and dry prime trash pumps, sound attenuated models, diaphragm pumps, hydraulic submersible pumps, high pressure pumps and wellpoint pumps as well as bypass systems, wellpoint systems and a complete line of pumping accessories.

Thompson Pump, a family-owned company based in Port Orange, Fla., is a full-service manufacturer and provider of high quality pumps, pumping equipment and engineering expertise for the toughest dewatering, bypass and emergency pumping applications. Since 1970, Thompson Pump has assisted contractors worldwide with pump rental, sale, design, installation and operation. Thompson Pump operates sales, rental and service centers throughout Florida and in Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New England, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The company is also aligned with more than 30 regional, national and international distributors in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Thompson Pump is a Blue Chip Enterprise Award winner and their products meet the requirements for certification as defined by the Contractors Pump Bureau. For more information, call (800) 767-7310 or log onto www.thompsonpump.com.