Over 80 Grundfos SP submersible pumps powered the fountains
in 22 pools at the Maroussi sports complex in Athens.
Hundreds of thousands of square metres of meticulously covered
Olympic grounds play out in front of you. A handful of enormous
competition facilities lie arranged on the grounds of the
Olympic area at Maroussi, seemingly placed there with the
utmost delicacy by the powerful deities of ancient Greece.
Dominating the area, the Olympic Stadium rises above all
others, its distinguished arched roof soaring into the
Athenian skyline. Just beside it, a majestic fountain spouts
skyward, serving as a focal point and central gathering
place. Underneath it all, Grundfos pumps are hard at work.
The situation
A multitude of ponds and fountains, whose placement was
envisioned by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, ring the
Maroussi area. Calatrava wished to produce a 50 m high fountain
to serve as one half of the uniting elements of the pedestrian
plaza. Normally, a 50 m high fountain requires a 50 m wide pool
surrounding it. This is to catch the majority of the water, when it
falls back to earth. Fountain builders Terna S.A. only had a 30 m
wide pool to work with.
Furthermore, Calatrava wished for a “clean” water column,
absent of spray and an umbrella effect at the peak.
The Grundfos solution
A Grundfos SP 215-5 submersible pump was quickly calculated
as the proper solution. Capable of delivering up to 80
m head, the
all-stainless steel pump also fit in perfectly with the
tight spatial
constrictions imposed on the building site.
Innovative piping, created by Grundfos Greece, Terna SA
and Fontana Fountains also allowed the architect’s
desire for a “clean” water column to come true.
Several metres under the surface, turbulence in the pipe
work is created by a series of bends and joints, ultimately
producing the elegant result. Over 80 Grundfos SP pumps
furthermore are located in the thousands of square meters
of Maroussi, powering 661 fountains in a total of 22 pools.
The outcome
The Games themselves lasted for a brief 16 days, but the
Maroussi fountains will remain for years to come. The clear
water will continue to flow skyward, thanks to the corrosion
resistance provided by the AISI 316 stainless steel employed
in the SP pumps
“We needed to use a complex mix of chemicals to keep
the water clear in all the pools, where the pH value was
very aggressive. We therefore needed pumps capable of withstanding these demanding
requirements, not only during the Games, but also in the years to come. The Grundfos
SP range in AISI 316 stainless steel offers the perfect solution for us. Their
reliability is unquestioned.”
Ilias Chasapakis, Site manager, Terna S.A.
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