Q. What information is available regarding bearing minimum loads for pumps?
A. All rolling element bearings require a minimum applied load. This ensures that normal elasto-hydrodynamic operation...
Detuning devices solve high vibration problems in power station water circulating pumps.Mechanical resonance—the buildup of a large vibration amplitude when something is excited at its natural...
The standards for repair will begin with a standard for vertical turbine pumps.The pump industry is undergoing renewed interest in the technical aspects and quality of repairs. Pump users’...
Q. What is the definition of specific speed, to what does it pertain and how is it used?A. Specific speed is an index of pump performance (developed total head) at the pump's best efficiency point...
Author's Note:This article discusses factory performance testing of vertical pumps. For guidelines on specific test procedures, calculations and specific requirements, refer to ANSI/HI - 2.6 Standard....
Pump stations are an integral part of wastewater collection and treatment systems. Various applications include lift stations in the collection network pumping raw sewage up to a level where gravity...
In previous Pumping Prescriptions columns, we have looked at vertical pumps from various perspectives, including alignment, proper centering of the rotor shafting ("The Downside of Perfection in...
Typical vertical pump types include turbine, mixed and axial flow. The Hydraulic Institute classifies these pumps as type VS (Vertically Suspended). Unlike horizontal pumps, these pumps typically have...
Mechanical resonance is the tendency of a mechanical system to absorb more energy when the frequency of its oscillations (external excitation source) matches the system's natural frequency of...
Vertical pumps are a popular choice in the water industry because they provide many advantages. A vertical pump typically uses one-quarter of the floor space of a motor-driven horizontal pump. The...
Potential vertical turbine pump vibration problems were avoided through design-stage finite element analysis.The Lower Cape Fear Water and Sewer Authority had begun to expand its main raw-water pump...
Vertical turbine pumps provide reclaimed water to mines in South America’s deserts.Water is vital to the mining industry, especially in South America where many mining companies are located in areas...
Major infrastructure upgrades handle the pressure from a Mexican drainage system.Two big wastewater pump stations with high performance submersible motor pumps relieve flooding during the rainy season...
Since the original publication of this draft standard in the January 2008 issue of Pumps & Systems, I have received feedback, encouragement, numerous questions and criticism. The draft listed...
Editor's Note: To read about the winner or the other finalists of the 2009 success story of the year award click here Designing a New Pump for a Water Resources Pumping PlantThe State of California...
Q. When selecting a motor for a vertical turbine pump, we need to know the down thrust from the pump so that the capability of the motor thrust bearing can be checked. How can the pump down thrust be...
In a perfect world, things are always done correctly, quickly and inexpensively. In the real world, however, a compromise between cost and time is unavoidable. A new vertical turbine cooling water...
When a critical raw water intake vertical turbine pump at a local water treatment plant failed, there was no time to waste. However, before our repair shop pulled the pump, my repair manager Jerry...
Many pumps in power plants and other heavy industries are designed and custom engineered for specific applications. The repair and servicing of these pumps should also include careful engineering...
Valero-Wilmington, a midsize refinery (135-kb/d) located in Los Angeles, Calif., was experiencing problems with oil lubricated vertical in-line pumps (API type OH3). Though Valero-Wilmington uses the...
Q.When measuring vibration on vertical pumps, does the allowable vibration depend on the height of the motor or on the height above the baseplate where the readings are taken?A.The allowable vibration...
Failures of submerged vertical pumps often occur without warning from the installed sensors and monitors because of the lack of transducers mounted where they can reliably sense the condition of...
Basically, a repair is the simplest, least-involved way of "fixing" a pump, typically caused by a non-recurring accidental event, such as a broken shaft, failed seal, and so on. An overhaul is...
With its 40,000-kW (53,640-hp) drive rating, the CHTA 140/5 feed pump in the Niederaussem lignite-fired power station near Cologne is one of the two largest feed pumps ever built.The new power station...
