Chemical Pump Maintenance

Related Vendors

Lutz Pumpen GmbH

EagleBurgmann Germany GmbH & Co. KG

EDL Anlagenbau Gesellschaft mbH

Griswold Pump Company

Making Maintenance Mandatory

Because many pumps have life spans of 15 years or longer, it is becoming common for plant operators to perform life-cycle cost (LCC) analyses of pumping systems. These aid the choice of the most suitable pump for the job by factoring in the lifetime costs of maintenance, along with purchase, installation, energy usage, operation, downtime, and environmental protection.

According to the US Hydraulic Institute, LCC studies show that energy typically represents 40 percent of the lifetime cost of a pump. The second most costly item is often maintenance, accounting for around 25 percent of lifetime cost. Initial purchase cost and other operating costs are both estimated at just 10 percent of the pump’s lifetime cost [2].

For all types of centrifugal pumps and operating conditions, a program of routine maintenance will extend pump life, since well-maintained equipment lasts longer and requires fewer and less-expensive repairs [3].

When the pump is purchased, the pump manufacturer will typically advise the plant operator about the necessary maintenance, but it is the operator who has the final say about his facility’s maintenance routine – whether, for instance, it consists of simple servicing carried out often, or major attention at less-frequent intervals.

The cost of unexpected downtime is also significant when determining the total LCC of a pumping system. Again, the facility’s maintenance routine should determine what steps to follow when a breakdown occurs. Once the pump is back in action, a post-repair assessment should identify areas where more proactive maintenance might have prevented the breakdown.

Keep a detailed and easily accessible record of any preventive maintenance performed and any repairs needed. This information can help to diagnose future problems and minimize unplanned downtime.

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