Suppliers offer expertise on pumps, systems

By |  June 9, 2020

Pump suppliers offer tips to producers to elevate their understanding of pumps and systems.


Cline

Cline

Why clearance is so critical

Gorman-Rupp’s Tim Cline explains the synergy between key pump components

A couple of simple measures aggregate producers should take to extend the life of their pumps are clearance adjustments along with checking lubrication levels and changing lubrication when needed.

Most self-priming centrifugal pumps have an impeller and wear plate or wear ring. Pumping efficiency will be reduced if the clearance between the impeller and wear plate or wear ring is beyond the recommended limits.

If the clearance is less than recommended, components will wear by rubbing, causing excess work for the electric motor or engine. Check the impeller clearance against the pump manual specifications and adjust it if necessary.

Most centrifugal pumps have an oil-lubricated seal, a grease-lubricated seal and oil- or grease-lubricated bearings. Per the pump manual specifications, make sure lubrication levels are properly maintained, and monitor and change per the manual specifications.

Tim Cline is a product manager in the sales department at Gorman-Rupp Pumps.


Pierce

Pierce

A pair of pump fundamentals

Proper lubrication, shaft seal maintenance are vital, says Schurco Slurry’s Will Pierce

Extending the life of a slurry pump can take on many forms, depending on the application.

Two aspects of keeping any rotating equipment in service, regardless of application, are proper lubrication of rotating elements and shaft seal maintenance. For a vast majority of applications that we see in aggregate, sand and gravel, and quarrying operations, a focus on preventive maintenance for these two elements pays major dividends in terms of greater uptime and fewer headaches.

Lubrication is straightforward: Follow your manufacturer’s recommended schedule per the factory-supplied Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual. Proper shaft seal maintenance is more involved, but it entails a few basic – yet key – characteristics.

If your pump seal is flushed with water, the gland seal water must be relatively clean and delivered at a pressure higher than your pump discharge pressure. We recommend gland seal water pressure be delivered around 10 psi over pump discharge pressure. Also, adjust your packing gland as necessary to allow a clean drip or light stream of water coming out from around the gland.

Will Pierce is vice president of engineering at Schurco Slurry.


Featured image: Schurco Slurry


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