Industrial Pump Reconditioning: Knowing What Works and What Needs Replacement

October 28, 2016

Sizable pumps propel fluids through broad conduits and keep industrial complexes on the move. There are even redundant machines built into the system so that critical processes are never interrupted. If evidence of the importance of these system-critical mechanisms was required, then this need for redundancy provides it, but how do we know what works and what needs replacement? Let's take a closer look at pumps in action.

Measurable Flow

A properly operating fluid impeller generates flow, which also spawns measurable pressure. Gauges and dials record pressure differentials. In the old days, heating engineers would obey the gauges, plus they'd use a calloused hand to touch the pipework and test the flow. We can't help but wonder what other methods work when detecting trouble.

Signs of Trouble Escalate

If the mechanism is ailing or completely at a standstill, it's time to switch over to the redundant unit, if there is one. A series of well-practiced steps then looks for faults. External factors could be the culprit, so circuit breakers and drive are inspected, but the root cause, according to Murphy's Law, will probably be the actual industrial pump. If it is still running, the bearings are maybe squealing, or maybe there's an unpleasant burning smell and no flow is leaving the output valve. Whatever the case, industrial pump reconditioning is the next step.

Industrial Pump Reconditioning

In knowing what works and what needs replacement, a tightly regimented troubleshooting procedure needs to be adopted. Look for visible and inhalable clues. A blackened housing seal is evidence of electrical damage. This clue is often reinforced by a smell of burning varnish, which is proof of damaged stator windings. Fluid intrusion due to a faulty seal is yet another issue that needs to be addressed. Now, with these telltales documented, the next action requires a little proactive labour.

Proactive Repairs

Before any other work is undertaken, track down the root cause of the failure. It won't do any good to conduct an electrical reconditioning process if fluid is still entering the housing. Fix the seals and test them for soundness. Now that the unit is properly segregating liquid, this is the point that damaged electrical windings can be rewound. Conclude the task by replacing faulty bearings and lubricating the mechanism.

Of course, the job isn't finished until the industrial pump reconditioning project reinstalls and remounts the pump, for the source of the initial fault may still be here, perhaps clogging a pipe. Install and test the whole system before signing off on the reconditioning work.

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