The Pump Condition Monitoring Engineering Essay

To avoid unplanned downtime, realize energy savings or other considerations, pump users require a method or tool to determine the appropriate time for overhaul of a pump.

This method or tool is used by engineers in managing assets to provide capacity for production and energy efficiency to save operating expenses or even to minimize greenhouse impact.  This optimization method can be applied to all items where deterioration results in equipment breakdowns or loss of efficiency.

Pumps like any rotating machine tend to rotate in response to excitation forces like residual rotor unbalance, turbulence in liquid flow, pressure pulses, cavitations and wear of pump. If vibration frequencies and natural frequencies match, resonance occurs, amplifying the vibrations. This is a sufficient cause to damage pump components

Why Pump Condition Monitoring is important: (Source http://www.pumpmonitor.com)

Pumps are used at about 20% of the world’s most electrical power generating companies.

about 7% of the world’s green houses gas productions.

power and preservation usually covers more than 50% of Life sequence expenses.

Statistics show that 20% or more of the energy devoted by pumping systems could be saved throughout equipment and control alters.

Pumps are frequently considered critical mechanism of a process. Plant reliability is best possible when they are maintained on a regular basis or nonstop state monitoring.

Performance based maintenance costs are considerably lesser than a schedule based costs.

Hence it becomes very important to Condition Monitor the pumps.

Chapter -2: Aim & Objectives

The object of this research study is to critically study Condition Monitoring of both, Centrifugal and axial pumps. That will include most important aspects like:

Condition Monitoring and its Part in Maintenance

Pump Performance and the Effect of Wear

Performance Analysis and Testing of Pumps for Condition Monitoring

Performance Analysis and its Application to Optimise Time for Overhaul

Other Methods of Performance Analysis for Pump Condition Monitoring

Vibration Analysis of Pumps

Other Uses of Condition Monitoring

Other Condition Monitoring Methods

Positive Displacement Pumps

Case Studies

Chapter -3: Project plan

Attached with this report

Chapter -4: Introduction

About Pumps

Pumps are used to add energy to fluids. Generally it is done by using a rotating blade to force a fluid in a given direction.

Classification of pumps:

PUMPS

Centrifugal Pumps

Positive Displacement Pumps

Radial Flow Pumps

Axial Flow Pumps

Reciprocating Pumps

Rotary Pumps

Gear Pumps

Piston Pumps

Progressive Cavity Pumps

Plunger Pumps

Screw Pumps

Diaphragm Pumps

Lobe Pumps

[Figure-1: Different types of Pumps]

a) Positive Displacement pumps: A positive displacement pump, as the name suggests, pushes a fluid by containing a fixed amount of it and then displacing the entire contained volume into the pipe. Positive displacement pumps produce a constant flow at any given speed and hence are called “Constant Flow Machines”. These are used for pumping fluids other than water.

Following types of mechanism are used to displace the fluid:

a1) Reciprocating Type: Reciprocating pumps are plunger pumps or diaphragm pumps. Diaphragm valves.

Recently used for slurries treatment in plants, and are used to force dangerous, toxic materials.

a2) Rotary Type: These pumps use rotation principle. These are mostly used in, oil burners, soaps, cosmetics, sugars, syrup, and molasses, as well in dyes, ink, bleaches, vegetable and mineral oils.

Gear pump: Two gears rotates in a closely fitted casing. A common application of the gear pump is the engine oil pump in car engines.

3655-004-DFDC07E0

[Figure-2: Gear Pump]

Progressing cavity type pump: These are applied for pumping sewage sludge contaminated with large particles. Helical shaped rotor is used.

[Figure-3: Progressive Cavity Pump], (Image Source: http://www.highflowpumps.com/)

Lobe Pumps: Fluid is passed between the rotors teeth and the volute chamber.

lobethe

[Figure-4: Lobe Pump]

Screw Pumps: Screw pump transmits fluid into the spaces between the screw gears.

screw23muthıs

[Figure-5: Screw Pump]

b) Centrifugal pump: They are widely used in general piping systems. These are used for pumping water in industry and constitute 75% of pumps installed

b1) Radial Flow Pump

In a Radial Flow pump, fluid is discharged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of intake or suction. The fluid flowing into the pump first makes contact with a spinning impeller. This deflects the fluid away from it. The fluid is pushed out through a circular casing around the impeller. In this case fluid pressure increased not the speed.

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Fluid is sucked into the pump along the axis of rotation of the impeller. It is accelerated in a perpendicular direction into a diffuser chamber. From here it is discharged into the outlet pipe. Centrifugal pumps are applied where there is small head and large discharge is required. These have high hydraulic efficiency.

These are used in waste treatment plants. Screw type centrifugal pumps are very effective in sludge handling , comprising of fibrous elements and for handling sludge with up to 10% dry matter .

centrifugalpumps11

[Figure-6: Centrifugal Pump] (Image source : http://www.thomasnet.com/articles/image/centrifugal-pump.jpg)

b2) Axial flow pumps: In an axial pump, the discharge and suction are both in the same direction. Flow is along the axis of the blade. Axial pumps are used to increase of speed of fluid flow without increase of pressure. They have high flow rates and can operate at very low pressure.

QZ-Axial-Flow-Pump

[Figure-7:Axial Flow Pump]

http://www.made-in-china.com/image/2f0j00vBjTwGKSSIbeM/QZ-Axial-Flow-Pump.jpg

Chapter -5: Maintenance and Condition Monitoring:

About Maintenance:

The intention of performing maintenance is to provide optimum capacity of production at the lower cost. Maintenance should be preferred for reliability and not as repair.

There are 4 Types of Maintenance, which are given below:

(a) Preventive Maintenance: This type of maintenance prevents failure from occurring. It comprises of scheduled periodic maintenance checks. Such maintenance prevents breakdowns and ensures delay free functioning.

The advantages of preventive maintenance include:

Enhanced systems dependability.

reduces cost of substitute.

cuts system downtime.

Better standby account management.

(b) Corrective Maintenance: Maintenance performed to correct an error after a failure has occurred is corrective maintenance. The failed component may require restoration , repair or replacement.

(c) Breakdown Maintenance: If a machine breaks down or malfunctions , breakdown maintenance is performed to return it to normal functioning. This is done by replacing or repairing parts.

(d) Predictive Maintenance: This type of maintenance consists of methods of observing the condition of in service machines and thus predicting when maintenance is required to be performed. This method reduces costs as compared to preventive maintenance as tasks are only performed when necessary.

Condition monitoring is a type of predictive maintenance. It involves prediction of condition of a machine by on monitoring its performance, statistical process control or equipment behaviour to detect defects at an early stage and rectify them, which could otherwise result in delays leading to unnecessary expenditure.

Maintenance is performed while the machine/ equipment is in operating regularly , with little or no interruption in its functioning. The methods for detection of errors include infrared thermographs, circuit analysis, analysis of vibrations etc. Predictive Maintenance or Condition monitoring a smart way to reduce downtime and reduce cost.

The fundamental purpose of maintenance is to contribute for profit objectives, by maximizing the production and safety of people and plant.

This report will explore how maintenance should be used as a tool to keep pumps working to its optimum level.

Condition based maintenance:

Definition of Condition Monitoring:

Condition monitoring is part of maintenance, not something done by experts from outside (Beebe, 2001)

Signs of degradation are detected in operational equipment by monitoring the equipment through continuous inspection. Data collected is analysed , and a prediction is made for the duration in which a machine can run safely without failure.

Condition Monitoring is the art of monitoring of the equipment’s health by taking

simple measurements of the machine performance. It works the same as a

Doctor checks (measure) the health by checking pulse, temperature,

blood pressure etc of a person.

If we measure the current draw and the outlet flow of a pump and find out that that the current draw was increasing while the outlet flow was decreasing, as compared to the previous months measurements, there are very good chances that the condition is deteriorating and that some maintenance was due for the pump,

The scheduling of the monitoring is decided by the size of plan, ease of data collection etc. This may be done everyday, once a month or on an annual basis.

Advanced technology may be used for condition monitoring. It may not be limited to

Vibration sensors

Infrared Thermographs

Oil sensors

Ultrasonic equipment

Motor Current Analysis

Pump life cycle costs

Pump life cycle cost is defined as the sum of the commissioning cost, maintenance cost, running cost and decommissioning cost for the period of a pump’s service life.

Complete understanding of the pump’s lifecycle cost helps us to radically reduce the energy consumed , thus greatly reducing the pumps environmental impact

PLCC = Cin + Cins + Cpo + Cop + Cm + Cd + Cen + Cdc

PLCC = life cycle cost

Cin = initial costs, purchase price (pump, system, pipe, other services)

Cins = installation and commissioning cost (including training)

Cpo = power consumed costs

Cop = operation costs

Cm = maintenance and repair costs (routine and predicted repairs)

Cd = delay costs (loss of production).

Cen = environmental costs (contamination from pumped liquid )

Cdc = decommissioning (counting renovation of the home Environment)

Maintenance Cost of a Pump in its Life Cycle:

[Figure-8: Maintenance Cost] (Image Source: http://www.waterworld.com)

The costs for maintenance are dependent on the actual equipment involved , records can be consulted to make cost estimates. The annual cost has to include the following:

Value of spare parts used.

Charge for any third party work.

plant employment.

workplace charges.

Normally Maintenance cost of a Pump within its life cycle is estimated 20%.

Pump selection reliability factors

Reliability of machines, has been increasingly debated in recent years . Low reliability of commonly used centrifugal pumps has been a focal point of this debate.

Pump selection is very important its reliability. But it is not the only factor for reliable pump operation.

Other critical installation parameters are also important. The main factor for enhanced reliability is selecting the right pump.

Pump Selection

The first step in pump selection is deciding the pump parameters. The head and capacity required have to be calculated. There are three major conditions related to reliability which affect selection; operating speed (FR), impeller diameter (FD) and flow rate (FQ).

Operating Speed – RPM (FR) Wear based on operating speed caused due to friction in rubbing contact surfaces like mechanical seals and shaft seals affects the reliability. Life of bearings and heat generated in bearings is another cause for lack of reliability. For all the above mentioned conditions wear has a linear relationship with the operating speed of the pump.

Impeller Diameter (FD) The impeller exerts a significant load on the shaft and bearings . This directly affects the reliability of the pump. Two types of loads are produced; one is due to the non uniform pressure distribution in the casing, the second is due to the interaction between the blades of the impeller and the discharge.

This second effect is extremely hazardous as it forces the seal faces to move away from each other repeatedly during each revolution. The intensity of this movement may be greater than steady deflection. There is a cubic proportionality between these loads and the impeller diameter.

Flow Rate (FQ) The flow rate of a centrifugal pump is the best efficiency point or BEP. Pumps are designed in such a way that they are most reliable only at a given flow rate for a specific operating speed and impeller diameter. The loads exerted on impeller at this flow rate are minimised. If the flow rate is more or less than the BEP than the load intensity increases and there is turbulence in the rotation of the impeller. Such unpredictable loads share the same effects on reliability as the impeller/discharge loads discussed above. Pumps are examined to check the ability to withstand the effects of these impacts. The main parameters of the tests are:

R.P.M.

Impeller dimensions.

Flow velocity.

Pump shaft to motor alignment.

N.P.S.H. Margin.

Reliability Index (RI) The Reliability directory is shaped as a product of three factors:

RI = FR x FD x FQ

Values vary from zero to one; the higher the value the better the dependability is.

Techniques of Condition Monitoring

Vibration Monitoring Analysis: is commonly used as a Monitoring analysis. It helps to determine the structural stability in a system. It is best suitable for rotating machines like pumps. Vibration measuring instruments are used for measurement.

The frequency of the vibrations are mapped. If a defect is present a particular frequency will be detected. Analysis made previously on existing equipment can be compared to analysis on new equipment. This data will give the condition of the equipment.

vibration

[Figure-9:Vibration Chart]

(Source: http://www.pemms.co.uk/Condition_Monitoring.html)

Visual Inspection: Devices like mirrors, TV Camers are used for Visual inspection.

Visual inspection in its most basic form may also be done by experienced inspectors and maintenance technicians. Causes of failure like cracks, leaks and corrosion can be detected and prevented. This is the cheapest form of condition monitoring. It also adds a sense of attachment between the equipment and the people who work on it.

Only visual inspection technique is not enough. It should be augmented by other techniques.

Performance Monitoring and Analysis: Analysis is done on usage of energy, as more energy usage means deteriorating condition of the machine. Performace can bne measured with parameters like Pressure, flow rate or temperature etc.

Analysis of wear particles in lubricants or contamination of process fluid: This process gives advance warning than many other predictive maintenance methods.

oilanalysis

[Figure-10: Contamination of Process Fluid]

(Source: http://www.pemms.co.uk/Condition_Monitoring.html)

Spectrographic oil analysis may be used to test the chemical composition of the oil. Chemical analysis of oil is carried out for appearance, density, viscosity, moisture

content, mechanical impurities. High silicon content points to a presence of contamination of grit.. etc, and high iron levels indicate to tiring components. Independently, elements give reasonable indications, but when used together they can accurately determine the failure modes, e.g. for internal combustion engines, the presence of iron/alloy, and carbon would indicate damaged piston rings. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condition_monitoring)

Ferrous and non ferrous particles in the lubricant may be detected by wear debris detection sensors which can give a warning if the condition of the equipment deteriorates. This system prevents failure in machines like gearboxes , turbines, pumps etc.

Ultrasonic Analysis: Time and frequency data from ultrasonic tests can reveal a lot on the health of a machine.

Portable ultrasonic testing equipment is now a common tool for noticing leaks, testing steam traps, finding cavitations, bearing condition testing and toughness testing.

What are Ultrasound Signals?

Ultrasound refers to noise of frequency beyond the range of the human ear. For detecting airborne leaks, the frequency at which the most sound is produced by an unstable leak is 38.4 kHz. There are instruments, which listens to this frequency to detect leaks.

Electronics processing is required to make ultrasound audible. This is done filtering of frequencies.

Why Record Ultrasound Signals?

Judgment, Trending, verification of analysis.

Guidance of Maintenance observers.

Examination of low speed bearings.

Investigation of electrical defects.

Inspecting of steam traps.

Analysis of reciprocating compressors.

How to Record Ultrasound Signals?

Regulates rise of detector.

Corrects level of recording device.

Spins Auto Gain Control .

Records the signal and transfer to PC.

Opens signals in computer for laboratory analysis.

The classic time signal for a bearing defect gives a goldfish envelope like this:. (Thomas J. Murphy)

ultrasound_analysis_07

[Figure-11:Ultra sound signals]

Infrared Thermography

Temperature is the best indicator of the state of a machine. One can check the temperature of any surface and determine the condition of a machine..

Infrared Thermography is an inspection technique which gives accurate, reliable and correct temperature outline of any material exterior without getting in touch with the surface.

The essential perceptive of thermography is that every object produces certain amount of Infrared energy and the intensity of this radiation is a task of temperature, hence by measuring infrared radiation, temperature of surface can be calculated. (Garnaik)

Infrared thermography is a fast and secure way of detecting imperfections in different conditions. Infrared cameras can be used to detect increases in temperature that indicate latent problems. These may increase the temperature of electrical contacts or insulators. IR thermography can easily be carried out during normal operation of equipment as it is non contact. This reduces downtime.

Advantages & Disadvantages of IR Thermography

Following are advantages and disadvantages of this technique.

Advantages :

• It is a non-contact type technique, and modern Infrared camera can be used .

• It is Fast, reliable & accurate output.

• Time required to measure large surface area is very less.

• The output can be presented in visual & digital form.

• Since the output can be presented in visual form, there is little skill required for monitoring.

Disadvantages :

• Instrument cost is very high.

• This technique is used to work out the temperature of surface. It is unable to detect the inside temperature…

Noise monitoring

Noise level are taken every month at designated locations.

Steps for implementation of Condition Monitoring Technique for Pumps

Selection of equipment

Selection of parameters / probe

Selection of monitoring frequency

Preparation of schedule

Preparation of database.

Actual monitoring and analysis

Selection of monitoring frequency

Daily (for critical equipments)

Fortnightly (for sub critical equipments).)

[Figure-12: Condition Monitoring Steps]

Benefits of Condition monitoring

Condition monitoring has become a proven method and has become essential part of industries as companies has proven its cost benefits.

Condition monitoring gives early detection of wear out/damage.

Condition Monitoring people tour the plant and picks up developing faults

Deterioration is detected in time and repairs are scheduled.

It minimises unnecessary shutdown and opening up of plant

Cost of labour, material and loss of production is saved

More satisfying work of maintenance, less effect of errors because of direct feedback of quality work.

Judicious use of Condition monitoring can yield 10 to 20 times the initial outlay within first year – (IK Dept trade & Industry report, maintenance to late 1990s’)

Condition monitoring reassurance of safe continued operation(and vary effective when “nursing on” plant to a suitable maintenance opportunity)

Condition Monitoring saves cost – reduce spare usage and lower insurance.

Cost Savings from Condition Monitoring

A Quick cost saving estimate is made to calculate the cost saving easily. Quick cost saving estimate at each inspection saves delays. For example, a coupling is found broken and approximate to cause about 2 hours of delay leads to an unplanned maintenance job.

The calculation:

Cost A: If the coupling broke down without warning:

Delay * Cost of Delay/hr + Direct maintenance cost (unplanned & Unscheduled) + Potential damages

Cost B: Maintenance during scheduled shutdown.

Actual cost of maintenance: Delay (if any – should be fixed in scheduled shutdown) * Cost of Delay/hr + direct maintenance cost (planned & scheduled) + Damages(= 0) .

A- B = Cost saving, which may be as high as thousands of Dollars

Following is a Case study of Qatar Petroleum, which shows a huge saving of costs because of Condition Monitoring:

Case Study:

141. K0302 FLUE GAS FAN

Current Drawn before balancing the Fan: 83 Ampere

Current drawn post balancing the fan : 76 Ampere

Net Current reduction: 7 Amps

(Hourly Average)

Power Saving = √3 x V x I x Cos ¢

√3 x 11 x 7 x 0.85

KWh

Annual Cost Savings = 113.3X0.081X24X365

(Power Cost = 0.081QR/Kwh) = 80393 QR/Year

Last Six Months Predicted Failures at Qatar Petroleum

Standards used for condition monitoring (Source: http://www.iso.org)

ISO 13381-1:2004 provides guidance. The basic purpose is to:

Let the clients, manufacturers of condition monitoring and diagnostics systems to share general thoughts in the fields of machinery error analysis.

Allow users to determine the essential information, characteristics and behaviour necessary for accurate estimate.

Outlines an appropriate approach to predict development.

Introduces predictions concepts in order to ease the development of future systems and training.

ISO 18436-6:2008: Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines — Prognostics — Part 1: General guidelines

ISO 18436-6:2008 states the needs for qualification and evaluation of personnel who perform machinery condition monitoring and diagnostics using acoustic production. A certificate or declaration of conformity to ISO 18436-6:2008 will provide credit of the qualifications and ability of individuals to perform acoustic production measurements and analysis machinery condition monitoring using acoustic emission equipment. This procedure may not apply to particular equipment or other explicit situations. ISO 18436-6:2008 specifies a three class classification programme.

ISO 18434-1:2008 provides an introduction to the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to machinery condition monitoring and diagnostics, where “machinery” includes machine auxiliaries such as valves, fluid and electrically powered machines, and machinery-related heat exchanger equipment. In addition, IR applications pertaining to machinery performance assessment are addressed.

ISO 18434-1:2008: introduces the terminology of IRT as it pertains to state checking and diagnostics of machines; explains the types of IRT procedures and their qualities; provides leadership on establishing cruelty appraisal criteria for anomalies identified by IRT; outlines methods and requirements for carrying out IRT of machines, including safety suggestions; provides information on data understanding, and appraisal criteria and reporting requests; provides measures for determining and compensating for reflected obvious temperature, emissivity, and attenuating media.

ISO 18434-1:2008 also includes testing procedures for determining and recompense a reflected obvious temperature, emissivity, and attenuating media when measuring the exterior temperature of an aim with a quantitative IRT camera.

ISO 18436-3:2008: Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines — Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel — Part 3: Requirements for training bodies and the training process

ISO 18436-3:2008 defines the requirements for operating training programmes for personnel who carry out machinery condition monitoring, recognize machine faults, and propose corrective action. Procedures for training of condition monitoring and diagnostic personnel are specified.

ISO 18436-7:2008 : Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines — Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel — Part 7: Thermography

ISO 18436-7:2008 specifies the requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel who perform machinery condition monitoring and diagnostics using infrared thermography. An official document or declaration of conventionality to ISO 18436-7:2008 will provide recognition of the qualifications and competence of individuals to do thermal measurements and investigate machinery condition monitoring using moveable thermal imaging equipment. This procedure may not apply to particular equipment or other precise situations. ISO 18436-7:2008 specifies a three category classification programme.

ISO 13373-1:2002 : Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines — Vibration condition monitoring — Part 1: General procedures

ISO 13373-2:2005 : Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines — Vibration condition monitoring — Part 2: Processing, analysis and presentation of vibration data

ISO 13373-2:2005 recommends actions for dealing out and presenting vibration data and analysing vibration signatures for the reason of monitoring the vibration state of rotating machinery, and performing diagnostics as suitable. Different methods are described for different applications. Signal improvement techniques and analysis methods used for the investigation of exacting machine dynamic phenomena are included. Many of these techniques can be applied to other machine types, as well as reciprocating machines. Example formats for the parameters that are commonly plotted for valuation and diagnostic purposes are as well given.

ISO 13373-2:2005 is divided basically into two essential approaches when analysing vibration signals; the time domain and the frequency domain. Some approaches to the modification of diagnostic results, by changing the operational circumstances, are also covered.

Pump Performance and the Effect of Wear

Pumps wear as they are used but their efficiency can be maintained by

Condition monitoring and accordingly refurbishment:

[Figure-13: Effect of wear on pump characteristics]

Source: http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/solarec/index.htm (European commission Joint Research Center)

[Figure-14: Average wear trends for maintained and unmaintained pumps]

Source: http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/solarec/index.htm (European commission Joint Research Center)

Effect of internal wear on pump performance

The effect of Internal wear on pump is dependent on type of Pump . Slurry pumps are Designed to cope with erosive liquids. Total operating cost can be reduced by improving wear life. Wear is increased by High Velocity, large solid size and high concentration.

Chapter -6: Performance Analysis and Testing of Pumps for Condition Monitoring

The aims of testing a system’s pump performance are to:

Record system pumps performance.

Verifying the impeller size at present installed in the pump.

Launch the system curve for the pumping system.

Establish the operating point of the pump; i.e. the point where the pump’s impeller curve intersects the system curve with the discharge valve throttled and with the discharge valve fully open.

Measures the match between “full flow” flow delivered by the pump with the discharge valve fully open and the real plan flow requirement.

Considers the implications of throttled discharge valves and opportunities to open discharge valves and adjust pump performance by means of trimming the impeller, changing the motor to get an incremental motor/pump speed change or installing a VFD to change the motor/pump speed to a non-incremental value. The objective of all of these modification techniques is to provide design flow without the head forced by the throttled valve. As a consequence, the system will advantage from reduced pump energy use and operating costs.

Considers the flow variations produced in the system as different active elements are repositioned by their control processes.

becomes aware of and make a diagnosis of other control or performance problems.

Performance analysis needs performing data

Temperature

Pressure

Flow

Speed

Power

Efficiency Calculation

[Figure-15: Pumps in System and relationship to Condition Monitoring]

Chapter -7: Performance Analysis and its Application to Optimize Time for Overhaul

The head test at Duty Point

Like it is known that condition monitoring is used as a tool for Predicting maintenance requirements of pumps. The Head Flow examination is the essential way can be used to inspect assumed poor performance. (http://www.engineeringnet.be)

Head flow measurement is a useful type of condition monitoring because it checks pump deterioration and also shows flaws in system resistance.. (Heinz P. Bloch)

It is easier to determine the head. alter in volume according to the time can be easily measured if an appropriate vessel i