Water pumps are the cogs in your facility’s wheels, and a poorly functioning pump can shut down operations. Introduce a preventative maintenance schedule rather than relying on corrective maintenance to deal with problems that have already arisen.
This will help reduce age-related deterioration and transform your water pump from an energy guzzler into a workhorse. It will also aid in avoiding expensive repairs and downtime.
Check the Fluid Levels
Even a well-maintained pump can eventually develop problems. These issues can snowball and result in a costly repair or replacement. Regular maintenance helps prevent these problems and ensures the pump operates efficiently.
Intake Blockage: If the intake line for a water pump is clogged or restricted in any way, it will cause the pumps to stop running. Generally, it is caused by a lack of proper-sized hoses. The hose must be appropriately sized to allow unrestricted water flow into the pump.
In addition, a plugged-in or blocked air filter can impede the water’s flow into the pump. It is essential permanently to remove and inspect the piping to ensure that no blockage is present. This will also make it easier to clean the pump. If a backup is found, it should be removed and cleaned before the water pump can run. This will prevent the pump from overheating, which can lead to long-term damage and force it to work harder and longer.
Check the Mechanical Seals
Mechanical seals are a type of dynamic shaft seal that is used in pump applications. They are designed to work in conditions with varying temperatures, pressures, and fluids. They are available in various designs depending on the application’s requirements.
Seal failure results in the loss of fluids, unsafe working conditions, and expensive repair costs. Every pump shaft seal has a maximum operating life determined by several factors, including pressure, wear, size, friction, and rotating speed.
To prevent dry running, ensure the sealing system is thoroughly cooled and has sufficient lubrication. If a seal has no fluids around it to lubricate it, the materials will experience excess friction and heat, damaging the sealing surface. This can result in leakage. Mechanical seals provide greater longevity than gland packing seals and are the ideal choice for applications where the leakage is unacceptable.
Check the Impeller
Shutting down the building or factory because of equipment failures can be expensive. These expenses include staff and repair crews’ overtime, overnight parts delivery, etc. Preventative maintenance can save you from these costs by ensuring your equipment functions properly.
Pump noises are often the result of air in the system. A simple bleed procedure can resolve this issue. Condenser water pumps NYC have bleed valves that make the process easy and quick. Open the valve until you hear a hissing sound, then close it.
Oversized pumps are another cause of noisy systems. This can occur due to a degree of error in the planning and design stage when engineers need to guess pipe size and length. This can also be the case when systems expand and the “right-sized” pump today can’t meet the future demand.
Pumps are also prone to dead heads, which a closed suction line, blockage, or unintentional isolation can cause. This occurs when the impeller is forced to churn the water and heat it to a vapor which causes damage to the motor and shaft seals.
Check the Casing
Flow, head, and pressure testing is required to determine the total dynamic leader of the suction and discharge piping. This information is used to find the maximum positive suction and discharge piping head.
A sudden loss of pump pressure generates a negative pressure wave that travels downstream at the acoustic velocity of the water. This wave can cause damage to the piping, hangers, and equipment.
As the wave reaches pipe bends and diameter changes, it can split into more waves that can crash into equipment. These waves can erode the piping and create cracks in the casing.
Corrosion of the casing or piping is something that should be addressed. This can weaken the pump casing, allow solids into the impeller and lead to clogging of the valves or pump. This can also cause internal rubbing of parts or running against a dead head, significantly reducing the pump’s life. Regular maintenance can prevent this type of problem.
