A high quality pump is a significant capital investment. A few simple tips can reduce wear on a pump's parts, cut maintenance expenses and significantly improve the useful life of a pump.
Protect the Pump with a Flow Switch
The ideal situation for a pump is a steady flow that never significantly changes. In real life, many pumps are exposed to rapidly changing demands. If flow suddenly drops, the pump may overheat before it can shut off.
A flow switch in the line adds another layer of protection. As flow drops, the flow switch automatically shuts down the pump before reduced flow can cause damage. Although most pumps have failsafe switches, by the time the switch trips the pump may have already experienced dangerous stresses. There is also the possibility that the failsafe will fail and the pump will continue running in low flow conditions, overheating and damaging seals and bearings. A flow switch reduces the chance a sudden drop in flow will lead to expensive repairs.
For systems where flow fluctuates on a regular basis, a flow switch can be used in conjunction with a pressure storage tank to equalize the flow the pump experiences. The tank automatically fills at high flow rates and empties at low flow rates to smooth out the overall flow.
Keep The Pump Maintained
In addition to protection from one or more flow switches, a program of regular maintenance is an important part of extending life on any piece of equipment. Routine inspections can discover degrading seals or bearings that may not be causing problems yet, but that can be replaced or repaired before they fail catastrophically.
Clean pump parts of debris or buildup. Even a simple water pump can get mineral buildup from hard water that can lead to leaks and part failure. Pumps exposed to hot, dirty or reactive liquids will experience more problems and should be cleaned more often.
Rebuild the pump periodically to get it back to "like new" condition. Pumps under severe strain might be rebuilt as often as every year.
Observe Operating Limits
Never operate pumps outside of manufacturer limits. While the pump might operate fine at higher pressure or temperatures, it is undergoing more stress. Parts will wear out faster and there is a much better chance of catastrophic failure. If the operation requires a high pressure pump, invest in a high pressure pump. It will cost more in the short run but over time you will spend less on a single pump that lasts for many years than less expensive pumps that break down every three months.
If you suspect a problem, for example if the pump is suddenly making more noise than normal, don't keep it running. Shut it down and conduct an immediate inspection. Don't wait for failure.
Smart maintenance and operating procedures combined with a network of flow switches will significantly extend pump life and reduce your company's long-term capital expenses.
Author Resource:-
Author is a freelance writer. For more information on flow switch please visit http://www.compac.com.
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