By Michelle LaBorde 

In 1985, Kurt Plache and his son Paul operated Fluid Dynamics as a two-man shop out of a 1,500 square foot space that they shared with another business. Kurt, one of the original founders of Micro Motion, Inc., in Gunbarrel, left to form his own company featuring the Dynablend product line.
 
Today, Fluid Dynamics employs 23 people who design, engineer, build, market and maintain its product line, still under one roof. The roof, however, has recently expanded to shelter 11,000 square feet. Fluid Dynamics Vice President Paul Plache says that the expansion has "elevated morale and productivity. We love having all this new area to work in." 

Fluid Dynamics produces polymer blending wastewater treatment systems. Dynablend’s patented product lines are used in wastewater treatment processes for industries and municipalities.
 
Polymers in the systems enhance the clarification and filtering of water. The systems aide in the de-watering process of municipal or industrial sludge. "This polymer is organic, though most people think of plastic when they think of polymer. Any polymer is a long chain molecule. The polymers used in Dynablend systems attach to waste particles so that the particles are more readily processed out (of wastewater)," Plache explains. 

These systems are utilized to send clean water back out into the environment or to provide clean water for re-use in an industrial process such as in a paper mill. "Our polymer processing equipment reduces the need for chemicals in the treatment of waste water. We are proud of that fact," says Plache.
Lowering chemical usage is environmentally responsible and fiscally sound for Fluid customers. "Replacing a competitor’s system with our equipment at a water treatment facility in Phoenix, Arizona cut their chemical use by approximately 20 percent, saving the city of Phoenix $100,000 annually."
Plache says that Fluid Dynamics offers a standard product line but "each product has to be specialized for each customer’s particular application." The price for a polymer blending wastewater treatment unit ranges from $6,000 to $80,000.

Fluid Dynamics holds 3,000 contracts with clients across the United States. In the international marketplace, Fluid Dynamics has customers in Australia, Taiwan, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Venezuela and Great Britain. Most of the clients are municipalities. 

In addition to polymer treatment systems, the Company also offers solution metering pump systems, volumetric feeders, specialized control devices and control valves. All products are designed and engineered at the Gunbarrel facility.

Fluid Dynamics is growing at a rate of 25 percent per year and is number two in a 40 million dollar industry, according to Plache.

A mega-corporation not necessarily interested in the wastewater treatment business recently acquired Fluid’s only true competitor. "They have lost their focus," reports Plache. "Our only limitation now is being able to fund all the opportunities available to us. But, we will continue to build the highest quality products and provide better service than anyone else in the industry." 

Braced by steady growth and invigorated by spacious new accommodations, Plache feels certain about the company’s future. "Fluid is really doing well…Our employees put out an exceptional product and that has been the secret to our success." 

Fluid Dynamics, Inc. is located at 6595 Odell Place, Suite E in Gunbarrel. The phone number is 303-530-7300. Information about the company can be found on-line at <www.dynablend-.com>.