Centrifugal pump maintenance 163
Before a pump is removed for a repair or an overhaul, it is essential to know the failure
type before its dismantling in the workshop.
Thus prior to the removal of the pump the following exercise must be conducted:
• Check with the operating cause on the perceived cause of failure
• If it is safe to operate the pump rerun it to diagnose failure by
– Sight, smell, noise, and touch
–
Perform a vibration analysis
– Measure bearing temperatures
– Carry out a performance check.
The above steps will positively indicate the probable cause of failure and ascertain that
it is specific to the pump and not to the process or pumping system, which includes the
suction and discharge system associated with the pump.