Centrifugal pumps and compressors are both rotating equipment devices. Each is a machine that imparts kinetic energy to the fluid to create pressure and move liquids, gases, and other process materials. So what are the differences between pumps and compressors? The main differences are intimately connected with the properties of the process fluid medium being […]
STEM and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
In an ancient time, before STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) was an educational program, how did people get into those fields? STEM was not a “thing” when I went to school. It was DL and sometimes, but not always, DLE. Become a Doctor, Lawyer or Engineer. But engineering was known to equate with math […]
Notes on NPSH Testing
In pump literature, much has been written and continues to be written about NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) and cavitation. As career pump engineer, I will share some of my knowledge and experience on pump NPSH testing, particularly a few practical matters that may not be covered in the extensive literature on this subject. Terminology […]
Pump lead times – what to expect
Introduction We live in a world of convenience and instant gratification. When the Wi-Fi goes down, Netflix for that evening is out. This is a serious first world problem. Not surprisingly, initiates to the field of industrial pumps, motors, and valves are often dismayed by the lead times for this equipment. Production and delivery cycles, […]
NPSH Margin — how much?
A word on the terminology: Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is the sum of the total static plus kinetic pressure minus the liquid vapor pressure, at the pump suction nozzle or impeller entry, expressed in terms of ‘head.’ Confusion may occur if one does not know that there are two basic NPSH parameters to consider. […]
The User’s Role in Pump Reliability
This introductory 20 minute webinar, with Randal Ferman of Ekwestrel Corp, discusses what operations and maintenance can do to improve pump reliability. Pump reliability directly affects process availability. When the cost of pump downtime in terms of lost production is factored in, the real costs of operating and maintaining pumps can be significantly higher than O&M costs […]