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5 tips to make sure your slurry pumps are functioning at their best
Everybody wants the best product adapted to their needs. But the thing is, having the best product to hand isn’t everything. You have to carry out checks so your slurry pumps can run at their very best. Here are 5 tips to help you with that!
1- Inspection routine
Visualise: Make sure the pump shaft doesn’t move, that no components are loose, coupling is properly bolted and not loose and the motor is bolted and stable.
Touch and inspect: Verify that the motor doesn’t overheat and check periodically that there is enough lubrication as per the manufacturer’s best practice.
Listen: Verify that there are no strange or unusual noises.
2- The alignment between the motor and the pump has to be perfect
Misalignment can increase vibration and lead to premature wear of the internal components. Use a straight edge (as straight as possible) to obtain coupling between the pump and the shaft. For optimum alignment, we recommend using a laser alignment tool.
3- Vibration measurement analysis
Here are four reasons why you should carry out a vibration measurement analysis of your slurry pumps:
- To minimise the effects on the durability of the pump;
- To make sure the slurry pump can run constantly;
- To make sure that material and pump temperature are stable so thermal expansion is taken into account in the alignment;
- To make sure there isn’t any air or cavitation (bubbles or cavities) inside the pump.
These measurements must be taken every three months until you have reached a critical vibration level. Remember to take measurements after the slurry pump has been running for at least an hour. If you measure it when it’s empty, there will be an imbalance (which is normal) and your analysis results will not be optimal.
4- Never run a pump without material for a period longer than 5 minutes
It is crucial to never run a pump empty to avoid overheating the bearings, cavitation and premature wear of the impeller.
5- Greasing points
Make sure greasing points maintenance procedures are followed in order to avoid premature wear or breakdown.
Learn more about the factors to consider when selecting a slurry pump for your application, here.
For more advice on slurry pump maintenance, don’t hesitate to contact our team of experts!