Headbox Feed Casing Refurbishment

Application: Headbox Feed
Pump Details: Single-stage Sulzer ZPP 800
Pump Type: Double-suction Horizontal Split Case

After years of useful service, casings of many horizontal split case pumps are quite worn and no longer meet the original specifications. Hydro offers an alternative to purchasing a new OEM casing that offers a much lower cost and reduced turnaround time.

Due to their long-standing relationship with Hydro, a paper mill decided it was time to restore the casing of their headbox feed pump. Because this pump was in a critical application, the mill required a very short turnaround time.

To avoid a temporary shut down of the mill, Hydro was able to perform a line bore and insert upgrade within a period of three days. Utilizing around-the-clock shifts, Hydro completed the case inspection and developed machining fits and tolerances to restore the casing to its original specifications. Hydro then manufactured and mounted inserts to the casing.

Not only were the casing and wear components restored to their original fits, the upgraded materials will significantly improve mean-time-between-repair.

Learn more about Hydro’s targeted upgrades for the pulp and paper industry here.

Wednesday Webinar: Defeating Pump Killers

Join us for our April Wednesday Webinar on methods for defeating pump killers and achieving reliable, efficient operation. Instructor Gary Dyson dives deep into the world of “pump killers.” You’ll gain invaluable insights into the root causes behind these issues and, most importantly, discover practical solutions to enhance your pump operation.

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RATS MRO Conference & Workshops

Join Hydro at the Rotating and Turbomachinery Society’s 2023 MRO conference and workshops. On Wednesday, October 25, Hydro Scotford will be participating in the mid-day trade show. On Thursday, October 26, Hydro Reliability Services’ Kyle Bowlin will be presenting during one of the workshops on methods for detecting and resolving resonance.

Conference Website

Workshop Website

Challenging MTBF Expectations

Improving Maintenance Intervals in Demanding Applications

Some services are inherently difficult due to factors such as fluid quality or multiple disparate operating points.  These factors are an inherent part of the process and cannot be changed to improve reliability. Harsh applications can be a costly prospect, both in overhaul costs and in the time and labor required for frequent servicing. Many times we become caught in the perception that there is no improvement to be had for these services. A short mean-time-between-failures (MTBF) becomes routine and expected, and maintenance activities and parts procurement are built around this expectation.  

It’s important that processes are built around historical run times to anticipate needs in the short term. However, it is equally important to take a step back and ask– “is this maintenance interval really acceptable or is there something that I can do to improve it?” An end user in the Canadian oil sands industry decided to take on that challenge when faced with a problematic bitumen froth transfer pump. This end user partnered with Hydro’s Scotford facility in Alberta to develop a series of upgrades that improved operating life while simultaneously reducing the cost of repair. 

Read the full case study in World Pumps July/August 2023 edition.

Learn more about our Hydro Scotford service center.

a man wearing a hat

Webinar: Mastering Pump Efficiency: Defeating Pump Killers for Reliable Operation and Energy Savings

Join Hydro’s Dr. Gary Dyson in learning about increasing reliability and reducing energy usage in this webinar hosted by Chemical Processing magazine.

This webinar will provide an overview of some of the most common “pump killers,” including the fundamentals behind the problem and what can be done to improve operation. Focus areas include NPSH and cavitation, the effect of operating at low flows, and abrasion and erosion. Each failure mode will be reviewed with an eye to improving reliability and saving energy. A case study will provide practical application of the material as it highlights a project that improved pump performance, reduced energy usage, and obtained reliable operation for a “bad actor” cooling water pump at a chemical plant.

Register Now