PUMP AND SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING HANDBOOK

?
Table of Contents
Inlet Piping Configuration and Motor Efficiency.......................................................1
Cavitation and NPSH in Centrifugal Pumps..............................................................3
Pump Suction Lift, NPSH and Priming .....................................................................7
How Much NPSH is Enough?....................................................................................11
Variable Speed Drives: Advantages and Pitfalls .......................................................13
Estimating Maximum Head in Single-
and Multi-Stage Pump Systems.................................................................................16
Elements of Minimum Flow .....................................................................................18
NPSH Required for Reciprocating PD Pump ...........................................................22
Pump Suction Conditions .........................................................................................24
Where’s the Prime?....................................................................................................27
Pump System Design – Part 1...................................................................................29
Pump System Design – Part 2...................................................................................32
Pump System Design – Part 3...................................................................................35
Pumping System Piping ............................................................................................37
Have You Broken Any Shafts Lately?........................................................................39
Pumps in Parallel – When One is Not Enough........................................................41
Pumps in Series – For More Pressure.......................................................................43
Vertical Pumps with Integral Thrust Bearings.........................................................45
Why doesn't the pump pump? .................................................................................48
Pumping Downhill ....................................................................................................50
Selecting a Pump- The Right Start Leads to the Right Finish .................................52
Selecting a Pump- What Type Should It Be?............................................................53
Selecting a Pump–Suction Pressure..........................................................................54
Troubleshooting Pump Performance Degradation...................................................55
Vibration Amplification.............................................................................................58
Selecting a Pump? Define Efficiency First!...............................................................60
Selecting a Pump: Will it Operate Where You Want it to? ..................................... 62
Performance Curve vs. System Curve .......................................................................64
Calculating Shaft Deflection......................................................................................67
PUMP AND SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING HANDBOOK
?
Table of Contents
Pumps in Parallel with Variable Speed Drive ..........................................................69
Sizing Pumps for Complex Systems: Part 1..............................................................71
Sizing Pumps for Complex Systems: Part 2..............................................................72
Sizing Pumps for Complex Systems: Part 3..............................................................74
Pumping with Air......................................................................................................75
Troubleshooting Centrifugal Pumps.........................................................................77
Water Hammer - Containing the Surge ....................................................................80
Reducing Noise in API Process Pumps.....................................................................82
Pump and Turbine Rerate Problems........................................................................85
Looking for Hidden Dangers .....................................................................................93
The Correction and Prevention of Low NPSH Conditions .............................95
Torsional Vibration Linked to Water Pumping System Failure ......................98
Modeling Pump Intake Noise.......................................................................100
Motor Bearing Failures in Cooling Tower Water Pump................................103
Cavitation in a Nutshell ...............................................................................106
Hydraulic Pressure Reactions in Pump Piping Systems ..............................109
Developing Meaningful Pump Failure Data ................................................112
The Mystery of Cooling Tower Pump Noise ................................................117
Controlling Surge and Pulsation Problems ..................................................120
Avoiding Gremlins and Alligators at Pump Start-up ....................................126
Experience with Replacement of Boiler Feed Pumps for Reliability Enhancement..130

All materials ® 1998 AES Marketing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher does
not warrant, either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles or descriptions herein, nor does the publisher warrant the accuracy of
any views or opinions offered by the authors of said articles or descriptions.