Centrifugal pumps need to be kept in tip-top condition to handle harsh liquid-terminal operations.
Without question, liquid storage terminals play an integral role in the ongoing success and relevance of a wide array of global industries. These facilities serve as a vital hub in the storage and dispersal of numerous liquids—including vegetable oils and fats, oleochemicals, petroleum products and petrochemicals—all substances that are crucial to the world's transportation and manufacturing sectors.
In short, any liquid that can be transported in bulk—be it by ocean-going tank ship, barge, railcar, tank truck or pipeline—is at some point in its supply chain stored and transferred at a liquid terminal.
While the range of products that may pass through a liquid storage terminal is wide and varying, the operating conditions at most terminals are similar—harsh, often corrosive atmospheres that require around-the-clock equipment reliability. Any downtime has a potentially huge adverse effect on the terminal's operation and profitability.
Transfer pumps used in these conditions are under constant assault and must perform reliably while handling a number of diverse operating characteristics, such as:
- Changes in ambient temperatures and other weather conditions, such as humidity
- Line shock from piping that is not anchored properly
- Piping systems that have sharp bends instead of gentle curves
- Changes in the product being pumped
- Changes in product viscosity
- High volume (unloading a 50,000-gallon tanker) at high flow rates (4,000 gallons per minute)
- Changes in product velocity and force
- Changes in head pressure
Taking all this into consideration, this article focuses on the role of centrifugal-pump technology in liquid-terminal applications. It will also show how proactive steps in both preventive and protective maintenance can keep the pumps running reliably in harsh environments that put the pump's effective operation under constant threat.
The Maintenance Solution
Centrifugal pumps move liquids through the use of centrifugal force. The three common styles of centrifugal pumps are:
- ANSI—These pumps meet centrifugal-pump manufacturing criteria established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in 1977. With that standard in mind, ANSI centrifugal pumps are engineered for operational flexibility and durability and can meet the needs of virtually any fluid-transfer application.
- Standard end-suction—They are ideal for thin liquids and the top choice for most water-pumping applications.
- Self-priming—In these pumps, balanced pumping pressures prevent product recirculation, making them ideal for high-capacity loading and unloading operations.
No matter the operational atmosphere in which these or any type pump is used, a routine maintenance program will extend the pump's life since well-maintained equipment lasts longer and requires fewer and less-expensive repairs. A detailed record of any preventive maintenance that was performed and repairs that were needed should be kept to help diagnose problems and eliminate or minimize future equipment downtime.
Routine preventive and protective maintenance practices should, at a minimum, include the monitoring of:
- Bearing and lubricant condition—Bearing temperatures, lubricant level and vibration should be monitored. The lubricant should be clear with no signs of frothing, while changes in bearing temperature may indicate imminent failure.
- Shaft seal condition—The mechanical seals should show no signs of visible leakage. Any packing should leak at a rate of about 40 to 60 drops per minute.
- Overall pump vibration—Imminent bearing failure can be preceded by a change in bearing vibration. Unwanted vibration can also occur due to a change in pump alignment, the presence of cavitation or resonances between the pump and its foundation or the valving located in the suction and/or discharge lines.
- Pump discharge pressure—The difference between the readings on the suction and discharge gauges will provide the total developed head pressure of the pump. A gradual decrease in the developed head pressure of the pump can indicate that the impeller clearance has widened, which requires an impeller clearance adjustment to restore the pump's intended design performance.
To stay on top of these potential maintenance concerns, a leading centrifugal-pump manufacturer suggests the following basic maintenance regimen. Also worth noting is that maintenance and monitoring intervals should be shortened if the pump is used in severe-service conditions, such as with highly corrosive liquids.
Quarterly Maintenance
- Check the pump's foundation and hold-down bolts for tightness.
- For oil-lubricated pumps, the oil should be changed after the first 200 hours of operation for a new pump then after every three months or 2,000 operating hours, whichever comes first. For grease-lubricated pumps, the bearings should be re-greased every three months or 2,000 operating hours, whichever comes first.
- Check the shaft alignment.
- Re-grease the motor bearings according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Annual Maintenance
The pump's performance should be checked and recorded in detail at least once per year. Performance benchmarks should be established during the early stages of a pump's operation when the parts are new and the installation adjustments are correct. This benchmarking data should include:
- The pump's developed head pressure as measured at the suction and discharge gauges
- Pump flow rate
- Motor amp draw
- Vibration signature
When the annual pump performance assessment is conducted, any changes in the benchmarks should be noted and used to determine the level of maintenance that may be required to get the pump operating at its efficient best.
When considering centrifugal-pump operation and maintenance requirements, one thing must be kept in mind: all pump bearings will fail eventually. However, the cause of bearing failure is more often than not a failure of the lubricating medium not equipment fatigue. Therefore, bearing lubrication requires particular attention to maximize bearing and, by extension, pump life.
If oil is being used for bearing lubrication remember to use only non-foaming and non-detergent oils. The proper oil level is at the midpoint of the bull's-eye sight glass on the side of the bearing frame. It is important to avoid over-lubrication as it can be just as damaging as under-lubrication since excess oil will cause a slightly higher horsepower draw and generate additional heat, which can cause frothing of the oil.
When checking the condition of the lubricating oil, if any cloudiness is observed, it can be an indication that water content—which is commonly the result of condensation—of greater than 2,000 parts per million is present. If this is the case, the oil must be changed immediately.
If the pump is equipped with re-greaseable bearings, be certain never to mix different grease consistencies or types. Also note that the shields must be located toward the interior of the bearing frame. When re-greasing, ensure that the bearing fittings are absolutely clean as any contamination will decrease bearing life.
Overgreasing must also be avoided because this can cause localized high temperatures in the bearing races and create caked solids. After re-greasing, the bearings may run at a slightly higher temperature for a period of one to two hours.
For instances in which a terminal operator may need to replace a part or parts on a malfunctioning pump, these circumstances should also be treated as an opportunity to examine the pump's other parts for signs of fatigue, excessive wear and cracks. At this time, any worn parts should be replaced if they do not meet the following part-specific tolerance standards:
- Bearing frame and foot—Visually inspect for cracks, roughness, rust or scale. Check machined surfaces for pitting or erosion.
- Bearing frame—Inspect tapped connections for dirt. Clean and chase threads as necessary. Remove all loose or foreign material, and inspect lubrication passages to be sure that they are open.
- Shaft and sleeve—Visually inspect for grooves or pitting. Check the bearing fits and shaft runout, and replace the shaft and sleeve if worn or if the shaft runout is greater than 0.002 inches.
- Casing—Visually inspect for signs of wear, corrosion or pitting. The casing should be replaced if wear exceeds 1/8-inch deep. Check gasket surfaces for signs of wear or irregularities.
- Impeller—Visually inspect the impeller for wear, erosion or corrosion damage. If the vanes are worn more than 1/8-inch deep or if they are bent, the impeller should be replaced.
- Frame adapter—Visually inspect for cracks, warping or corrosion damage, and replace if any of these conditions are present.
- Bearing housing—Visually inspect for signs of wear, corrosion, cracks or pits. Replace housings if worn or out of tolerance.
- Seal chamber/stuffing box cover—Visually check for cracks, pitting, erosion or corrosion, paying special attention to any wear, scoring or grooves that might be on the chamber face. Replace if worn more than 1/8-inch deep.
- Shaft—Check the shaft for any evidence of corrosion or wear. Check the shaft for straightness, noting that the maximum total indicator reading (TIR) at the sleeve journal and coupling journal cannot exceed 0.002 inches.
Implementing all these maintenance recommendations may seem daunting, but through a routine such as this, a fluid-handling operation can maximize the service life of the equipment while enhancing the safety of plant personnel and the environment.
Conclusion
As mentioned, the harsh, difficult operating conditions at liquid terminals can put a great deal of stress on the pumping equipment that is used to keep them running 24/7/365. The best way to ensure that instances of equipment failure that can lead to costly downtime and potential safety hazards do not occur is to be proactive in a maintenance routine. This means establishing a maintenance schedule for every pump and documenting every maintenance occurrence, whether planned or unplanned. Liquid-terminal operators who stay ahead of the maintenance curve will reap the benefits of a facility that operates without encountering the breakdowns and out-of-service situations that can set an operation back.
Pumps & Systems, July 2011
