When a vacuum pump is not functioning properly, the pump will lead to a disruption in your process plant. This can lead to money lost and can also damage your brand if projects are delayed. However, there are ways to prevent downtime with vacuum pumps by being proactive.

Poorly Sized Pumps

When using a vacuum pump in a process plant, it is essential that you make sure that the vacuum pump is properly sized for the application. If the pump is not properly sized, it is more likely to suffer from mechanical errors and it will be more likely that it will need to be replaced.

No Anti-Suck Back Valves

Make sure that the vacuum pump has anti-suck back valves implemented. If the pump has not implemented anti-suck back valves, the pump will be more likely to develop oil problems. For example, when the vacuum pump is started on a vacuum oven, you might reach a certain pressure, you might turn off the pump. Then, when your company attempts to start the pump again, it will not start. Then, you notice that there is oil in the pump chamber. Additionally, make sure that you do not stop the pump, since they are designed to run constantly. Make sure that the oil level remains maintained at a high pressure. 

Leaking Oil

You may also notice that there is leaking oil. This is a sign that there is a seal in the process of failing. Check all of the seals in the pump for signs of wear or damage. Check the liquid ring pumps to make sure that they are not experiencing signs of wear. Problems with the liquid ring pumps can be caused by the sealant vapor pressure being too high, by the sealant being contaminated and by there being an incorrect sealant flow rate. 

A Noisy Pump

Pay attention to how your pump sounds when you originally purchase it and how it sounds later on. A very noisy pump can be a sign that there is a foreign object trapped in the pump. There might be cavitation or the pump might be very overloaded with water.

No Control Over Heating And Cooling

You may begin to notice that you have no control over your heating and cooling system. Regardless of how you adjust the settings, the temperatures remain the same. Under these circumstances, it is best to have your pump looked at a mechanical engineer or technician who can identify the root cause and correct it.

To learn more, contact a company like JMI

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