Hydro Parts Solutions Opens in Texas

Hydro uses state-of-the-art technology to solve parts needs.

Hydro is pleased to announce the addition of a new Hydro company based in the Houston area. Hydro Parts Solutions Inc. will support pump users with parts needs, including difficult-to-source cast parts such as impellers, diffusers, discharge heads, casings, bowls and suction bells.

HydroAire’s Nuclear Certifications Renewed

Having served the nuclear industry since 1990, HydroAire’s pump service center in Chicago, IL, is happy to announce the renewal of their certificates on May 15th, 2012. HydroAire was originally awarded the ASME N-Stamp on May 8th, 2009, the NR-Stamp on July 7th, 2006, and the ASME NPT-Stamp on May 26th, 2006. HydroAire’s Quality Assurance Program complies with 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, ASME Section III and ASME Section XI. The Program, which is on a 3-Year Audit Cycle, has been audited and accepted by the Nuclear Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) Joint Audit # VA06092. For more information on HydroAire’s comprehensive pump aftermarket services for the nuclear industry, call Michelle Preusser at 630-329-7579.

Benefit from Experienced Field Service Professionals

Written by: John Neely, General Manager, HydroAire Field Service
Publisher: Pumps & Systems / May, 2012

 

A nuclear power plant required field service support for their high energy multi-stage diffuser barrel pump when a feeler gage became lodged inside the pump element. The station had been experiencing a problem with a lube oil pump and the decision was made to flush the lube oil lines. During this process, the plant’s maintenance team recognized that the charge pump’s inboard pump bearing housing dowels had been bent and the rotor was not properly centered on the inboard end. As Murphy’s Law dictates, “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. While the rotor was being centered, a feeler gauge that had been left in the element broke off and became stuck in the inboard end at the first-stage wear ring between the inboard impeller shroud and cover wall.

 

Picture above shows where feeler gage had become lodged in the element.

The rotor had shuttled and rotated a considerable amount during the original attempt to remove the broken remnant. The station contacted a reliable pump aftermarket service provider who had a highly-skilled field service team with the knowledge and experience to provide support. The station wanted to get this pump back online quickly and asked the field service team to work around the clock to retrieve the broken material and complete the pump assembly. The field service team collaborated with the station’s maintenance team to resolve the issues and get the pump back into service.

A bore scope was used to confirm the piece could not be easily extracted without removing the element. The Technical Field Advisor submitted to the station an Element Removal and Installation Procedure which defined the steps for retrieving the broken feeler gage and properly installing the element back into the barrel. Upon approval of the procedure, day and night shifts were scheduled to resolve the issues.

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NAES Announces Preferred Vendor Agreement with Hydro Inc.

NAESsm Corporation, a broad-based provider of services to the energy industry, announces it has entered into a preferred vendor agreement with Hydro, Inc. (Hydro).

NAES endeavors to form relationships with industry leading companies that provide value to plant owners through preferential services, scheduling priority, and cost concessions commensurate with the volume of business that a given vendor conducts with the NAES operated fleet. The impact of this initiative is evident to almost all NAES operated plants with plant owners benefiting from significant reductions in operating expenses and improved service response.

John Brewster, NAES President and CEO, said “NAES is focused on safety, compliance, maintenance of asset value, and performance. Performance takes on dimensions of attainment of technical performance goals, adherence to operating plans and budget, cost-effectiveness, and owner satisfaction. Our preferred vendor agreements are designed to deliver the value to help us deliver the best performance that enhances an owner’s return.” He added that “the addition of Hydro to this program demonstrates their commitment to support our efforts to deliver a superior service experience.”

Hydro Invited to the Pipeline Energy Group Conference in New Orleans

Jeff Johnson, Vice President of Hydro’s Petroleum and Pipeline Service Division, presented at the 2012 Pipeline Energy Group Conference, which was hosted by Louisiana Off Shore Oil Port (LOOP). In keeping with the group’s dedication to mindful energy consumption, Jeff Johnson’s presentation discussed how to improve pump efficiency and how energy usage can be reduced as a result of improvements in pump efficiency. Jeff received positive feedback and Hydro is honored to have been invited back to speak at the 2013 Pipeline Energy Group conference. To learn more about ways to improve your pumps’ efficiency, contact Jeff Johnson at 281-475-9680.