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Why Pumps Fail - and How to Stop it Happening to Yours
Most pump failures are caused by human failings in installation or maintenance. But get those right and you can minimise failure risk, extend the pump's useful life, and even increase its efficiency and reliability.
At every stage of a pump’s life – from assembly and installation to repair, preventative maintenance and disassembly – LOCTITE® engineering adhesives and compounds can help prevent pump failures and save money. They can even help restore pumps to “as-new” condition so they don’t have to be scrapped and replaced.
Here are some of the most common reasons for pump failure, and how LOCTITE® can help overcome them.
Leaks and corrosion
Air space between the threads of the bearing frame and housing components can lead to oil leakage and ultimately, pump failure.
By using an anaerobic thread sealant – which also stops rust and corrosion in the thread space, and you can stop contaminants from entering the oil. The gland flushing connector is also susceptible to corrosion, but thread sealant will protect this too.
While thread sealant helps prevent loosening of the thread, it also makes a unit easier to disassemble using just normal hand tools.
Less dramatic than an oil leak is oil seepage, from porous areas created during cast parts’ manufacture. A LOCTITE® chemical resistant coating applied to the bearing frame interior during assembly forms an effective seal.
Self-loosening and disengagement
If a threaded assembly can loosen itself, it will. But a thread locker is an easy and effective way to prevent self-loosening – and corrosion – on, for example, frame adapter mounting bolts, pump casing bolts and gland studs.
Couplings can also disengage or be misaligned or damaged. A thread locker will help to keep them stable.
It can also do much more. Apply it to the outside diameter of an oil seal and it will fill small air spaces that could create a leak path.
It can secure a key in a keyway, to prevent keyway wear. And it not only keeps assemblies and couplings together, but can also help you get them apart.
When disassembly is required, anti-seize products also make the engineer’s job easier. Exposed, non-stainless and non-coated metal pump parts (power end bolts, lock nuts, dowel pins) are almost certain to rust. Anti-seize will prevent corrosion and reduce seizure risk.
Cut gasket crises
When a cut gasket relaxes, shrinks, extrudes or breaks, it can lead to a leak. The simple answer is to eliminate cut gaskets altogether by using liquid gasketing adhesive.
In areas such as between the bearing frame and adapter, and between the stuffing box and pump casing, you’ll not only avoid traditional gasket problems, you’ll also seal the air space –helping prevent corrosion.
Air spaces also cause problems for bearings, when rust forms in an air space between the bearing and shaft. And all bearings are prone to fretting or spinning on their shafts or within their housing, leading to damage. A retaining compound not only fills the air space to prevent corrosion, but also prevents bearing spin.
Cavitation, wear and tear
Abrasive slurries, solids, cavitation and chemicals all take their toll on pump casings and impellers. But with the help of LOCTITE®, the pump can still be repaired.
A choice of LOCTITE® metal-filled compounds and wear-resistant putties can rebuild worn cutwaters, wear-ring seats, impeller vane tips and other areas. A topcoat of brushable ceramic then adds a high gloss, low friction finish, so the pump runs as close as possible to its best efficiency.
Epoxies also have a restoration role. Constant pressure and abrasion can wear and damage a shaft, and in time oil seals can even cut a groove. But an epoxy with high compressive strength returns the part to full service, quickly and easily.
With so many different LOCTITE® solutions to help prevent pump failure and optimise pump life, it pays to get advice.
So ERIKS has teamed up with LOCTITE® maintenance experts to run a series of pump repair and rebuild workshops. To find out more, please contact your usual ERIKS Service Centre. Without Fail.
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