This series discusses the control elements of a piping system, which improve the quality of the product. Part 1 (Pumps & Systems, July 2015) covered passive controls, such as overflow and bypass...
I received a lot of feedback on my column “How Much Energy Do Pipes Remove?” in the September issue of Pumps & Systems. This column described the use of two computer programs that evaluate the...
Last month’s column discussed the pre-screening process that identifies and prioritizes systems with a high probability of significant energy savings. After this process is complete, the actual...
Piping plans for mechanical seals are used to improve the environmental conditions around a seal, extend its capabilities and allow operators to monitor seal performance. American Petroleum Institute...
My last column (Pumps & Systems, April 2014) explained why resistance in implementing pump system improvement programs often occurs. Because pump systems touch many disciplines and departments within...
Previous articles in this series explained how oversized piping systems can have higher operating and maintenance costs. Higher maintenance costs can adversely affect the reliability and uptime of...
Last of Two Parts
In Part One of this series (Pumps & Systems, February 2014), the operating and maintenance costs for pumped systems were isolated. The next steps are to set realistic goals for...
First of two parts. Read part 2 here.
Prior to starting any new program, financial justification must be made. This column explains how to justify projects using readily available plant production...
Because pump systems can be complex, determining the root cause of problems in an operating system can often lead to a hit-and-miss approach that is time consuming and costly. For six years, that was...
Harrington Industrial Plastics announced the acquisition of ProTec Construction Services & Supply.“Harrington’s commitment to excellence and growth has never been stronger, which is why...
Editor's Note: Due to the high number of responses from our readers for more information regarding valve applications in "Surge Control in Pumping Stations" (Pumps & Systems, March 2007), this...
Main oil pump hydraulic geometry was the root cause of numerous false turbine/generator overspeed trips.Troubleshooting rotating equipment failures and improving reliability is a process of...
One of the major impacts on motor life is common sense—or maybe the lack thereof!It always amazes me how many open drip proof (ODP) motors are used in agricultural irrigation applications where...
Determining which pumps and their associated systems to assess is the first step in the process.First of Two PartsWhat Is a Pump Assessment?A pump assessment is a mini performance test of the pump...
About 900 years before Newton formulated his universal gravitational theory, the Greek philosopher Aristotle espoused something different. He believed that all things had a natural place in the...
Pumps & Systems, May 2008In trench-type wet wells, the pump intakes are placed near the bottom of a deep, narrow trench coaxial with the inlet pipe but considerably below it (see Figure 1). The...
Pumps & Systems, March 2007Many pipeline systems throughout the U.S. are in need of maintenance, but this maintenance is often pushed back because there is no way to properly shut down the system....
With continuously increasing energy costs, pump manufacturers must provide energy efficient solutions for fluid transfer. Besides hydraulically optimizing current technology, manufacturers are...
Two decades ago, EST Associates, Inc. started operations in Needham, Mass., to provide the New England area with environmental sampling and related monitoring services.Driven by the demands of a...
Pumps & Systems, March 2008Soils with high concentrations of clay and silt can wreak havoc on construction sites, drain pipes, sewers and pumps. Users working with soils might want to...
Pumps & Systems, December 2007 Industrial processes that manufacture, transfer, and distribute a variety of liquefied natural gases, from propane to oxygen to ammonia, require components to...
Pumps & Systems, June 2007 Last month, we discussed applications of low head axial flow pumps ("Field Testing: Theory vs. Reality," Pumping Prescriptions, May 2007). Knowing your system...
Pumps and Systems, February 2007Q. We are operating a large axial split case pump which occasionally operates at about ten percent of its best efficiency rate of flow. At that rate of flow, the pump...
Q. I understand the significance for properly configured suction piping, but what are the piping requirements on the discharge side of a rotodynamic (centrifugal) pump?A. The maximum velocity at any...
Corrosive, aggressive soil had eaten through a 35 year old ductile iron pipeline in the Port of Tampa area, causing a multitude of leaks that could not be repaired. Replacing the rotten pipe with more...
