Join Hydro at the CRU Nitrogen + Syngas conference in Tulsa, OK. Visit us in the exhibition hall to talk about solutions we have developed to increase reliability and energy efficiency in the nitrogen fertilizer industry.
Tag Archives: fertilizer
CRU Nitrogen + SynGas USA
Join Hydro at the 2024 CRU Nitrogen and SynGas Conference in Tulsa, OK. Visit us at Booth 52 and learn about the innovations we have developed to improve reliability and optimize energy in the nitrogen fertilizer industry.
CRU Nitrogen + Syngas USA
Join Hydro at the CRU Nitrogen + Syngas USA in Tulsa, OK. Visit us at Booth #11 to learn about our experience in the nitrogen fertilizer and syngas industry and to talk about the innovative solutions we have developed to increase asset safety, reliability, and performance.
Fertilizer Focus: Resolving Design Flaws in UAN Solution Pump
Heavy Wear of the Bushing Bore
A newly commissioned US fertilizer plant was experiencing recurring vibration problems with their vertical UAN Solution pump. The VSF vertically suspended pump was removed from service and sent to Hydro for a full inspection and investigation of the vibration source. When the pump was disassembled, it was evident that there were significant problems at the motor bearing and guide bushing locations. These design flaws that were affecting reliable operation of the pump. Continue reading
Re-engineering System Reliability
A US fertilizer plant was experiencing recurring reliability problems with its horizontal multistage boiler feed pumps. The series of repeat failures motivated the owner plant to consult with a widely-known unbiased aftermarket pump service provider. Previous experience with this company’s Texas facility gave the plant confidence that they had the capability to troubleshoot the problem and provide a solution. This type of supplier has been classified as a “CPRS”— Competent Pump Repair Shop, because their worldwide affiliates are staffed by specialists who have the fullest support of pump engineers at the company headquarters.
The aftermarket pump service provider performed a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) that took into consideration historical failure information and included an independent engineering analysis of the operating conditions. A review of the system history uncovered that the fertilizer plant had originally been designed with two 100% pumps. When the system was uprated, increased output requirements necessitated that both pumps operate in parallel to meet the new demand. Based on this information, the FMEA determined that the most probable failure mechanism was discharge recirculation caused by low flow operation.