Unearthing the Root Cause of Vibration Issues

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A recently constructed fertilizer plant was experiencing significant vibration problems on their brand new UAN Solution pumps. This vibration forced the plant to take the equipment out of service.   

The site was unable to diagnose the root cause of this problem on their own and the unreliability and resulting unavailability of this critical equipment was causing significant stress on the new plant. They heard through another fertilizer plant that a global aftermarket pump service provider had been able to diagnose and remediate their pump problems with great success. The site reached out to this aftermarket pump service provider to help identify the issue and provide solutions.   

The pump was shipped to the aftermarket pump service provider’s Chicago repair shop to perform a thorough disassembly, cleaning, and inspection (DCI). The service provider’s engineering team reviewed the original pump design and historical vibration information provided by the plant. Between this review and the DCI results, sufficient evidence was gathered to perform a root cause analysis (RCA) that explained the aberrant behavior of the problem pumps. The pumps were then re-engineered to eliminate the diagnosed problem and provide the plant with reliable operation.   Continue reading →

Hydro, Inc.

Welcome to Hydro University

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Hydro, Inc. is proud to announce our newest training platform, Hydro University. At Hydro University, our mission is to ensure pump users around the world have access to critical knowledge, troubleshooting methodology, technical skills, and strategies required to optimize industrial operations and reduce maintenance costs.

We strive to teach and engage our students to be the next generation of industrial pump users and provide the tools to assist them in achieving greater success in their careers, businesses, and industries.

With over 50 years of experience in the pump industry, Hydro offers a wide range of technical webinars, e-learning, and in-person seminars for end-users who want to learn more about pumping technology and build their skills within the field.

The topics are expansive and cover a breadth of knowledge such as centrifugal pump fundamentals, system optimization, vibration, failure modes, and much more. As an independent company, our flexibility also allows us to customize topics and programs to fit your individual needs.

Do you want to learn more about the intricacies of your pumps, how to effectively troubleshoot problems, or optimize pump operation?

Contact HydroUniversity@hydroinc.com today to learn more.

All Seminars are Postponed Due to COVID-19

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Seminar programs have been postponed based on the CDC pronouncement recommending organizers cancel or postpone in-person events for the next eight weeks that consist of 50 or more people in the United States. Hydro, Inc. is assessing new dates for our seminar series and will communicate this information as soon as it is available.

The Hidden Dangers of Shaft Stiffness

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The pump shaft is the central component of the rotating element and is responsible for transmitting energy to the rotating components. The shaft carries the impellers, sleeves and couplings for the rotating element assembly. The stiffness of the combined assembly is responsible for ensuring that the pump stationary components do not come into contact with the rotating components.

Unfortunately, this is not always achieved and many pump rotors cannot be described as classically stiff. This can have dire consequences for machine reliability, particularly if, during the rotor build process, the technicians are not aware of the subtleties of the machine design.

Source: https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/hidden-dangers-shaft-stiffness