Bloch H.P. Pump Wisdom: Problem Solving for Operators and Specialists

Practical Manual. — John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011. — 210 p.An accessible guide to the main reasons pumps fail—and what can be done about it.Workhorses in many different industries, including the oil industry, water industry, chemical industry, food industry, and pharmaceutical industry to name a few, pumps are a vital contributor to maintaining and increasing the flow of production. In fact, the pump industry itself is a multi-billion dollar global business.Taking the unique approach of addressing both pump operators and pump designers, Pump Wisdom explains the causes of failure in centrifugal pump function—whether it's pump selection, overlooked installation criteria, or the accumulation of small deviations—and maps out remedies with well defined methods that target specific issues, rather than focusing on technical generalities and theory. Clearly written and concise, Pump Wisdom relies on proven tactics for reducing pump vulnerabilities and correcting imbalances between hydraulic assembly and mechanical assembly. In addition, it supplies sound tips for detecting and rectifying risky shortcuts taken by pump designers and manufacturers. Pump Wisdom also:Provides a concise explanation of how pumps function
Details the specifications to be considered when purchasing a pump
Provides tips on the installation of centrifugal pumps in process plants
Written in concise language that avoids excessive mathematical treatment
Explains pump hydraulics in easy to understand terms
Emphasizes the mechanical aspects of pumps with coverage on bearings, seals, impeller trimming, lubricant application, lubricant types, and more
Pump Wisdom sheds light on the techniques for stabilizing pump performance and maximizing pump efficiency. Its concise format allows readers to strike directly at the heart of the problem—and helps them devise strategies to prevent costly failures before they occur.Principles of Centrifugal Process Pumps.
Pump performance: Head and flow.
Operation at zero flow Impellers and rotors.
The meaning of specific speed. Process pump types.
Process pump mechanical response to flow changes.
Recirculation and cavitation.
The importance of suction specific speed.
What we have learned.
Pump Selection and Industry Standards.
Why insist on better pumps.
ANSI and ISO versus API pumps.
What we have learned.
Foundations and Base Plates.
Securing pumps in place—with one exception
Why not to install pump sets in the as-shipped condition
Conventional versus pre-filled base plate installations
Epoxy prefilled base plates
How to proceed if there is no access to specialist firms
What we have learned: Checklist of foundation and base plate topicsPiping, Stationary Seals, and Gasketing
Pipe installation and support
Sliding supports and installation sequence deserve special attention
Monitoring pipe stress while bolting up
Flange leakage
What to do prior to gasket insertion
Spiral wound and kammprofile gaskets
Pipe, hydraulic tubing, or flexible connections?
Gusseting
Concentric versus eccentric reducers
Vibration problems in piping
What we have learned on piping and gasketing topicsRolling Element Bearings
Bearing selection overview and windage as a design problem
Radial versus axial (thrust) bearings
Oil levels, multiple bearings, and different bearing orientations
Upgrading and retrofit opportunities
Bearing cages
Bearing preload and clearance effects
Bearing dimensions and mounting tolerances
What we have learnedLubricant Application and Cooling Considerations
Lubricant level and oil application Issues with oil rings
Pressure and temperature balance in bearing housings
Cooling not needed on pumps with rolling element bearings
Oil delivery by constant level lubricators
Black oil
Lube application as oil mist (oil fog)
Desiccant breathers and expansion chambers
What we have learnedLubricant Types and Key Properties
Lubricant viscosities
When and why high film strength synthetic lubricants are used
Lubricants for oil mist systems
What we have learnedBearing Housing Protection and Cost Justification
Noncontacting bearing protector seals
Contacting bearing protector seals
How venting and housing pressurization affect bearing protector seal performance
Cost justification overview
Advanced bearing housing (bearing protector) seal summary
What we have learned References
Mechanical Sealing Options for Long Life
Still using packing?
General overview of mechanical seals
All flush plans have advantages and disadvantages
Always obtain the full picture
Seal chamber pumping ring (circulating device) technologies
Lessons apply to many services
What we have learnedPump Operation
Starting centrifugal pumps
Surveillance of pump operation
Centrifugal pump shutdown
What we have learned
Impeller Modifications and Pump Maintenance
Maintenance essentials
Superior maintenance requires upgrading
Impeller upgrading with inducers
Distance from impeller tip to stationary internal casing components Impeller trimming
Impeller wear rings
Vane tip overfiling and underfiling
What we have learned