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Podcast- Mastering Advanced Vibration Techniques: From Modal Analysis to Motion Amplification

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Hydro’s Glen Powell joined Plant Services’ chief editor Tom Wilk to talk about the evolving challenges of workforce development in the maintenance and reliability space. The conversation also touches on the role of emerging technologies like AI in reliability workflows and dives deep into vibration analysis, including its limitations and advanced applications for diagnosing issues like resonance.

Key Takeaways

  • Formal training alone isn’t enough—intentional, hands-on experience accelerates workforce readiness.
  • Bridging generational gaps requires clear career paths and trust in leadership follow-through.
  • AI tools should support, not replace, critical thinking and field expertise on the plant floor.
  • Modal analysis and motion amplification are powerful tools to diagnose and fix elusive resonance issues in aging equipment.

You can listen to the podcast below or browse all of Plant Services’ Great Question podcasts here.

Want to expand your knowledge? Explore Plant Services magazine or read our case studies focused on Hydro’s work in troubleshooting and vibration analysis.

Case Study- Solving Vibration Issues in Vertical Pumps

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Vertical pumps are especially susceptible to minor conditions that can result in elevated vibration amplitudes. The vertically suspended design and long stationary element lengths often combine into natural frequencies that are near forcing frequencies, such as running speed or even sub-synchronous faults. The complexity of these issues makes it difficult to diagnose and resolve persistent vibration issues with the type of data that is routinely available to the end users.

In-depth field testing paired with computational analysis provides a clear path to both an accurate diagnosis and a solution that has a high likelihood of success. The effectiveness of this methodology was proven for a Gulf Coast midstream company who was experiencing high vibration with their vertical freshwater pumps. By applying advanced field diagnostics, the end user was able to understand the underlying causes of the vibration and evaluate possible solutions in a theoretical environment prior to implementing them in the field.

Read the full case study, published in the May 2025 edition of Pumps & Systems magazine, here.

Read more case studies on vibration analysis and the work completed by Hydro Reliability Services here.

Podcast- Efficiency Starts with Reliability

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Hydro’s Bob Jennings and Ken Babusiak joined Empowering Pumps’ Charli Matthews for an entertaining and informative podcast about pumps, steel, and the future of reliability-driven operations.

With decades of experience under their belts, Bob and Ken share how the tools, talent, and tech of the industry have evolved—and what that means for staying competitive in today’s fast-paced landscape. From strategies to retain young talent to the real value of learning and adaptation, this convo is loaded with wisdom.

You can listen to the podcast below or browse all of Empowering Pumps podcasts here.


You can also watch the taping of the podcast here:


Want to expand your knowledge? Explore Empowering Pumps and Equipment or read our case studies focused on Hydro’s work in the steel industry.

The Hidden Costs of Cheap Repairs 

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Why Technical Expertise plays a Critical Role in Equipment Maintenance

As the industrial world becomes more competitive, reducing costs is key for maintaining an advantage in the marketplace. As such, many end users have become more cost-conscious when approaching equipment repair. In some services- where equipment is not complex and performance doesn’t affect process availability or quality- this strategy can provide some benefit. However, the short-term gain of a lower repair price often turns into long-term cost increases when a lack of engineering capability impacts equipment reliability and performance.

The importance of engaging with a facility that has strong engineering capabilities and subject matter expertise was proven during a series of boiler feed pump repairs for a Canadian biomass power plant. Like many biomass facilities, this plant had segmental ring boiler feed pumps, also commonly referred to as BB4 pumps. This is a complex design installed in a high energy, critical application, with numerous stacked and nested components that must be kept in alignment.

In this case, a small shop had completed several repairs that had resulted in high vibration and performance issues. These pumps were a legacy design that was no longer supported by the OEM and required engineering knowledge to properly refurbish and set the balance device. As such, it was important to find a repair partner that had a strong understanding of pump design. The plant worked with Hydro’s Scotford facility to bring these “bad actor” pumps back to optimal performance.

Read the full case study in World Pumps‘ March/April 2025 edition here.

Hydro Centaur Pipeline Deployment

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Hydro’s Centaur recently deployed a new installation across a pipeline in the Midwest US, demonstrating the continuing growth of demand for smart condition monitoring solutions.

The pipeline end user chose Centaur over other options under consideration because Hydro has the subject matter expertise behind the equipment being monitored. This distinction allows Hydro to not only be a monitoring partner, but to be a partner in reliability across the equipment life cycle.

With Centaur’s real-time data, the end user is able to proactively service their equipment and identify incipient issues before they develop into greater problems. Through a collaboration between the pipeline team and Hydro Centaur’s dedicated monitoring engineers, any problems that are identified will receive a comprehensive root cause analysis and proposed modifications will be developed to prevent problem reoccurrence. These solutions can be implemented through Hydro’s extensive global service network and, if necessary, tested in a controlled environment in Hydro’s Performance Test Lab.

We are proud to support our customers with services and solutions that drive measurable results.