What Is Water Hammer and How Can It Be Prevented?
Many pump issues can be damaging to your pump system. Corrosion, cavitation, and pressure loss are some of the most common problems pump operators look to avoid. One issue that isn’t talked about as much in our industry is water hammer. It can be a very serious concern. If water hammer occurs and isn’t addressed […]
Minimize Downtime with a Better Maintenance Plan
Downtime is the worst enemy of any pump operator. It means lost production time and money. It happens when pump components fail or when some other system problem causes a shutdown. Cavitation, overheating, loss of flow pressure, and other performance issues generally can be traced to a mechanical malfunction. In some cases, the entire pump […]
Minimize Wear When Pumping Slurries
Many industries require pumping slurries and wastewater. It is common practice in mining and mineral production. Slurries are also used in industrial applications. It is an efficient method to move solids that have been macerated or pulverized by introducing water. Unfortunately, the multiple-media materials in slurries can cause excess wear and tear on standard pumps. […]
Peristaltic vs. Centrifugal Pumps: Differences to Understand
All pumps fall into one of two primary categories: centrifugal pumps and positive displacement (PD) pumps. Then there are a variety of different pump types within each category. Centrifugal pumps are generally more common, while positive displacement pumps are often more specialized for specific fluid, slurry, and solids pumping applications. One of the most interesting […]
Reduce Shaft Seal Leakage with These 6 Steps
Shaft seal leakage can be a serious problem with pump equipment. Hazardous material could leak into the environment, or outside contaminants could compromise your process fluid. A leaking shaft seal can also lead to poor equipment performance and additional pump damage if left ignored. It is important to address any detected leaks immediately to avoid […]
Use Data to Dial in Your Pump Maintenance
Pump operators are extending the lives of their equipment and lowering costs using predictive maintenance techniques. Also known as data-driven pump maintenance, the approach uses computer monitoring to gather data about pumps in a system and bases maintenance schedules around the gathered data. Rather than relying on assumptions, operators using predictive maintenance can schedule work […]
5 Ways to Minimize Pump Downtime
Every pump system will require some downtime for general maintenance, replacing parts and making repairs. It’s inevitable you will have to shut the equipment down from time to time. The key is to minimize how much downtime is required. This will increase uptime with a more efficient and productive pump system. So, how do you […]
How to Identify Sources of Pump Failure
It takes a very experienced pump operator to effectively troubleshoot and identify potential sources of pump system failures. It’s not an easy task. However, there are some consistent steps to help decipher the problem and address it with necessary maintenance or repairs. Recognition of Pump Failure The first questions to ask are when and how […]
Sanitary Pump Maintenance: The Steps You Need to Take
There are numerous applications that require sanitary pumps to meet specific hygienic standards. They are commonly used in industries such as food and beverage, chemical processing, dairy, pharmaceuticals, brewing, and distilling. Each application may call for specific hygienic pump specifications. A well-maintained sanitary pump should provide reliable performance for many years. Maintenance can be minimal […]
6 Ways to Keep Your Pump Motor Healthy
All pumps operate using some sort of motor drive system. There are actually many different ways to produce pumping power, depending on the type of pump and the operating environment. The most common are fuel-driven or electric motors. All pump motors require monitoring and maintenance to perform their best and last longer. Let’s review some […]
Improve Pump Safety and Efficiency with Preventative Maintenance
Maintenance is critical when operating any type of equipment. You get the oil changed in your car or truck and you replace worn parts like brake pads and tires. Why wouldn’t you apply the same care to your pump systems and other industrial machinery? You depend on your pump every day. The proper preventative maintenance […]
5 Tips for Pumping Corrosive Liquids
Pumping corrosive liquids, abrasive materials, hazardous fluids, and harsh chemicals presents many challenges. Corrosive liquids degrade, damage, and even destroy specific pump system components. In addition, certain metals, plastics, and glass can experience significant corrosion when pumping these fluids and chemicals. There are several concerns when it comes to pumping corrosive liquids. First, your equipment […]