Prevention is Better than Cure

A pump bearing failure, for example, is bad enough. Discovering it resulted from misalignment; that the misalignment was caused by loss of clamp load between assemblies; and that a simple loose fastener kicked off the whole chain of events, only makes it worse.

However, once you know the kind of common problems which occur with pumps and lead to failures, you can take simple steps to eliminate them. And few steps are as simple as using engineering adhesives at the right time in the right place.

Watch these spaces

Many components in the bearing frame and housing of a centrifugal pump will have air space between their threads. This may seem insignificant – and is unnoticeable during assembly – but every space represents the potential for an oil leak. The likelihood of a leak is even greater when there are changes in pressure.

Applying an anaerobic thread sealant not only solves this particular problem, but several others at the same time.

The sealant will prevent leakage through the fittings, which means the pump won’t run low on lubricant. It will help prevent loosening of the joint. And it will eliminate rust and corrosion within the thread space, which could otherwise lead to contaminants entering the oil. But what the sealant won’t stop is easy disassembly, if required, using ordinary hand tools.

The same type of thread sealant can also be used in other applications to prevent corrosion, such as within the gland flushing connector.

Seal the deal

The cast parts of centrifugal pumps may have porous areas which were created during their manufacture. These can be a source of oil seepage unless they are dealt with preventatively.

Coating the interior of a bearing frame with a chemical resistant coating during assembly is one solution. By preventing seepage, this eliminates the danger of the pump running low on lubricant which, if not spotted in time, can lead to catastrophic failure.

Alternatively, if you can identify where the leak points are, a wicking grade thread locker will create an effective, leakproof seal.

Even oil seals themselves can be prone to leakage if there are small air spaces remaining around them. A thread locker is the answer here too. Applied to the outside diameter of the seal it will fill the spaces which might otherwise create a leak path.

As the name suggests, thread lockers are also a proven method of preventing self-loosening on threaded assemblies, from frame adapter mounting bolts to pump casing bolts and gland studs. They have the added benefits of preventing corrosion, ensuring the stability of couplings to prevent potential disengagement, and even preventing keyway wear by securing the key in the keyway.

Seize the solution

Any exposed non-stainless steel or uncoated metal parts on a pump are liable to corrosion. And corrosion will ultimately lead to seizure. Potentially affected parts include power end bolts, lock nuts, and dowel pins which can seize within the bearing frame.

Treating the relevant parts with anti-seize products will provide protection, prevent problems, and mean one less potential source of pump failure and lost production.

One other potential cause of pump failure which can be eliminated altogether are cut gaskets. These have inherent problems, ranging from relaxation and shrinkage to extrusion and breakage – any of which can lead to leaks, which can in turn lead to pump failure. Of course you still need something to carry out the same function as a cut gasket, and the answer is a liquid gasketing adhesive.

This not only avoids all the issues with traditional gaskets listed above, but also seals any air spaces between parts. Liquid gaskets are particularly effective between the bearing frame and adapter, and between the stuffing box and pump casing.

For all the applications above, the Loctite^® range of industrial adhesives is an effective way of ensuring you stick to best practice for proactively maximising pump efficiency.