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.
Autorentext
HEINZ P. BLOCH is a consulting engineer in Iowa and a licensed professional engineer in New Jersey and Texas. He served over twenty years as Exxon's regional machinery specialist in the United States. A Life Fellow of ASME, Mr. Bloch has authored eighteen books, almost five hundred papers and articles, and conducted over five hundred technical courses. He helped found Texas A&M's International Pump Users Symposium, worked as an editor on Hydrocarbon Processing magazine, and served as chairman of a yearly International Process and Power Plant Reliability Conference for close to a decade.
Zusammenfassung
An accessible guide to the main reasons pumps failand 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 functionwhether it's pump selection, overlooked installation criteria, or the accumulation of small deviationsand 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 problemand helps them devise strategies to prevent costly failures before they occur.
Inhalt
1 Principles of Centrifugal Process Pumps 1
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
References
2 Pump Selection and Industrial Standards 15
Why insist on better pumps
ANSI and ISO vs API pumps
What we have learned
References
3 Foundations and Base Plates 23
Securing pumps in placewith one exception
Why not to install pump sets in the as-shipped condition
Conventional vs pre-filled base plate installations
Epoxy pre-filled base plates
How to proceed if there is no access to specialist firms
What we have learned: Checklist of foundation and base plate topics
References
4 Piping, Stationary Seals, and Gasketing 35
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 vs eccentric reducers
Vibration problems in piping
What we have learned on piping and gasketing topics
References
5 Rolling Element Bearings 49
Bearing selection overview and windage as a design problem
Radial vs 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 learned
References
6 Lubricant Application and Cooling Considerations 69
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 learned
References
7 Lubricant Types and Key Properties 83
Lubricant viscosities
When and why high film-strength synthetic lubricants are used
Lubricants for oil mist systems
What we have learned
References
8 Bearing Housing Protection and Cost-Justification 91
Non-contacting 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
9 Mechanical Sealing Options for Long Life 99
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 to apply to many services
W…