PUMP TROUBLESHOOTING

BY Engineer: AHMED ABDULLAH ZAYED

E-MAIL azayed76@yahoo.com Tel. 002-010-3583653

Pump Troubleshooting
Work request seldom state the exact natural of problem Three important questions ask by mechanic to the operator (1) When the problem begin? suddenly or gradually? (2) What changes in pump status occurred? (3) What steps has the operator taken to alleviate the problem?

PROBLEMS Suddenly

Gradually

Sudden and complete failure of part or parts

One or more parts wearing

Suction low (Blocked or forget to open the valve) High Discharge (Blocked or forget to open the valve) Noises Vibration High Temperature Leak

REMEMBER
Operator checked the valve Strainer cleaned or changes Mechanic must double check Gathering instrument Copy of manufactures manual

Types Of Symptoms

Heard Felt Seen

Symptoms can be Heard

Loud rattling or Clanging Howling or Grinding Violent Chattering Growling
Broken part (shut down the pump)

Bad bearing, Timing gears ,misalignment or shaft distortion

Loss of suction, air bound, low setting of relief valve, weather very cold and oil not preheated Discharge valve partially blocked

High Squealing

Relief valve continuously open

Symptom can be felt

Excessive Vibration (Vibrometer) Worn Or Damaged Part Bearing, Rotor Imbalance, Shaft Bent or out of Round , Misalignment Overheating( Pyrometer ) Friction due to Not proper lubricated Mechanical seals, Bearing, Timing gear, Rotors

Symptom can be Seen

Abnormal Reading of Suction And Discharge gage First (Check Valve Position- strainer- check gage)
Second (Too high discharge reading) Blockage downstream Third (Too low discharge) Wear or failure parts, Air leak,Partial blocked suction, Lack of fluid supplies, Loss of Priming

Symptom can be seen

Leakage Lubrication Of bearing, Timing gears, packing, Stuffing box Air leaks (Pressurization test) Pipe flanges, Joints, Mechanical seals, Stuffing box, Gaskets

(cont.)

Internal Parts Problems

Wear or damage the casing rings (wearing rings) Clogging impeller, lantern ring, Gland sealing Worn or damage packing materials or mechanical seal Breaking shafts Wear or damage the bearing Foreign objects broken parts in the casing Wear or damage impeller

Cavitation Phenomena
High noises (Rattling sound) Like marbles rattling inside casing High Vibration Gage fluctuation Pitting inside casing and vanes

 Decreasing inlet suction pressure Boiling occurs Bubbles forming in the low pressure area of the suction eye Bubbles collapse suddenly at the high pressure area Powerful shock waves Creating dents or pits inside casing and impeller

NPSH is designed into a pump for specific range of temperature If the pump handles fluids within its available NPSH

NO Cavitations problem

 Operator forgets to open suction valve Suction line is blocked or partially blocked Suction Filter or strainer is blocked Pump runs too long with discharge valve shut and recirculation line is clogged

 Fix Technical problem Decrease fluid temperature Booster pump

Operator Checked the valve Strainer cleaned Or changes It will save time