A collection of observations and information from 50 years of engineering experience

Articles

The Differences Between Centrifugal Pumps and C...

Randal Ferman

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...

The Differences Between Centrifugal Pumps and C...

Randal Ferman

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...

STEM and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Randal Ferman

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...

STEM and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Randal Ferman

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...

Notes on NPSH Testing

Randal Ferman

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...

Notes on NPSH Testing

Randal Ferman

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...

Pump lead times – what to expect

Randal Ferman

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...

2 comments

Pump lead times – what to expect

Randal Ferman

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...

2 comments

NPSH Margin — how much?

Randal Ferman

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...

NPSH Margin — how much?

Randal Ferman

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...

The User's Role in Pump Reliability

Randal Ferman

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...

2 comments

The User's Role in Pump Reliability

Randal Ferman

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...

2 comments