When troubleshooting pump performance problems in the field, I often encounter issues because the pump operator doesn’t realize the pump pressure gauge only measures static pressure in the pipe. And your reply would be: well, yes of course, isn’t that what they are supposed to do? I would counter that the gauge is actually only …
The Three Musketeers: Static Pressure, Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy Read More »
Success in the pump distributor world in the fight against coronavirus is measured just like any other industry these days, it seems. “It’s really just being able to be pliable and be nimble in a scenario that is constantly changing,” said Chris Campo, the vice president of sales for Seacoast Supply, Inc., a family-owned and …
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Committee F03 on Gaskets recently released the latest standard practice to derive gasket design constants for the proper design of bolted flanged joints (BFJs): ASTM F2836-18. End users of gaskets can then use these gasket constants for proper BFJ design using calculation methods that are currently …
There is a new method to derive gasket design constants for bolted joint design. Read More »
Contactors and starters, typically housed within enclosed control units or motor control cabinets, are used to control flow through pumps, exhaust fans, heaters, control panels and various other ancillary equipment. Within the wastewater space, these components are commonly used when moving water from one processing tank to another, or for the control of the facility’s …
How to assess the motor system and evaluate components that are under par. Read More »
For any centrifugal pump user, knowing the answers to the following six questions is key to reliable and efficient pump operation. 1. What is efficiency? When we speak of the efficiency of any machine, we are simply referring to how well it can convert one form of energy to another. If one unit of energy …
Corrosion can disable pipes and cause catastrophic failures. In the petroleum and chemical industries, proactive monitoring and inspection of mission-critical pipes are required to look for signs of corrosion. This article highlights two key questions that can help users correctly diagnose this type of wear. 1. Is My Part Made of the Right …
IMAGE 1. Single mechanical seal mounted in a conventional process pump stuffing box (Images courtesy of Hydraulic Institute) The selection of seal chamber design and seal arrangement is based on requirements to maintain a proper environment for the mechanical seal. Factors to consider include normal operation, startup and shutdown conditions, and standby. Venting of vapors …
Converting to Pumps With Mechanical Seals in Chemical Processing Read More »
Many industrial processes rely on compressors for a host of tasks, from powering machinery to squeezing industrial gases for storage and transportation. Replacing important parts quickly is essential for continued productivity. When one of its main compressors failed, a company in the Philippines faced high costs and the prospect of a long wait for a …
Have you ever flushed a wet wipe down the toilet? The wipes are a billion-dollar industry, but wastewater experts say flushing them is causing sewage back-ups and a multi-million-dollar mess. Wastewater experts say unless it’s toilet paper, you shouldn’t flush it down, begging people to stop flushing wet wipes, even if manufacturers say it’s safe. Sewer system …
Wastewater experts: Stop flushing wet wipes, even if manufacturers say it’s safe Read More »
With hours-long screening lines at America’s airports causing confusion and frustration, with supply chain shortages limiting access to essential goods, with economically important events being cancelled and mass transit ridership plummeting as people create social distance, it is clear that the country’s infrastructure is ill-prepared for the type of natural disaster that coronavirus presents: the kind that drives people apart rather than bringing …
Rethink Infrastructure For An Age Of Biological Risk: #COVIDPandemic Read More »