How to Diagnose Major Faults in Vacuum Pumps and Make Repairs
When fully operational, vacuum pumps provide tremendous function and value. However, as with all types of equipment, things needed maintenance or can break down with used and require a repair. Although you should leave some vacuum pump repair to an expert, there are things you can do to diagnose and fix faults in the equipment. A vacuum pump repair facility may offer services to train you internal maintenance men to do various levels of pump repairs. An excellent way to avoid potential problems is to work with a company that specializes in both vacuum pump installation and services, and has a proven track record with multiple pump brands. That way, you never have to worry about proper setup, and you have a trusted source to turn to when necessary. When your pump is down you want to minimize production and labour losses. Pumps are in practically much every industry, so having experienced repair shops are vital as well as the availability of high quality replacement pumps. Rental pumps are valuable when pump repair evaluation and completion will take longer than usual.
The performance of a vacuum pump depends on several factors, including process parameters, suction load, leakage rate, and temperature. If you inspect the system periodically, you have a much better chance of finding a fault before it turns into a significant problem. However, if you cannot determine the issue, contact a reputable company that provides vacuum pump installation and services.
Following are the most common faults and the coordinating repairs.
High Horsepower – If you notice the horsepower of the pump running too high, this could be the result of a misaligned or improper tensioning of the V-belt, some restriction at either the inlet or discharge, a pump significantly overloaded with water, or operating the equipment at a speed higher than recommended. Depending on the cause, you would make the appropriate changes to rectify the problem.
Leakage – If you notice leaking water, pay close attention to the location. In particular, check the body gasket and mechanical seal or gland packing area. Based on your findings, make sure the torque on the body bolts is even. For a leak by the body gasket, try replacing the gasket or O-ring. If the water leaks by the body plug, replace it using loctite. If you still cannot stop the leak, call for professional assistance.
Excessive Noise – A lot of noise coming from your vacuum pump could be a sign of something trapped inside, water overload, or perhaps a bearing failure. Based on the cause, you would remove the foreign object, reduce the water level, or replace the bearings which could have exceeded their operational life.
Problems with Vacuum – There are numerous types of issues and related causes. For example, if the pump experiences a vacuum surge, a carryover from the separators can be the problem. However, this could also result from low points in the line that accumulate water, which causes air pockets. An obstruction or restriction in the inlet piping is another common vacuum problem. For this, make sure nothing is blocking the inlet screen or stuck inside the line. Check for leakages in the suction piping. For a variance in RPM, either the V-belt or motor can be the culprits in belt driven applications. For liquid ring vacuum pumps, the service liquid may have excess temperatures or be supplied to the pump with inadequate flow.
Although you can identify and fix some problems without turning to professional vacuum pump repair services, when faced with complicated issues, it is essential you hire an expert. The last thing you want is for more damage to occur due to an improper repair. Premier Fluid Systems (PFS) is a leading manufacturer of vacuum pumps. We also provide full repair services at affordable prices. If you need help with any issue, give us a call.