Breaking The Cycle Of Pump Repairs

Abstract

Achieving lowest possible life cycle cost (LCC) and valueoptimized mean-times-between-repairs (MTBRs) are the undisputed goals of thoughtful pump users. Achieving these goals requires concentrating not only on pump hydraulics, but also on improving pump power end (drive end) reliability. Because bearing protection and lubricant delivery have not kept pace with the demand for least-risk configurations, a few reliability-focused Best-of-Class performers have implemented their own field modifications and upgrades which eliminated many previously unexplained lube and bearing-related events. They thereby avoid both random and repeat-failures in APIcompliant process pumps. With progressive pump users now often enjoying pump MTBRs four times greater than their competitors, there is increasing demand for better understanding a number of “elusive” and seemingly overlooked issues. A five-decade pump failure avoidance veteran and machinery improvement professional explains details. This common sense tutorial shows and emphasizes facts not widely known or publicized.