Chemical Process Leak in Boston

Chemical Process Leak in Boston

Problem: A chemical processing plant in the Boston area experienced a critical failure when the diaphragm on their AODD pump tore during operation. As a result, process fluid began escaping through the muffler, creating both a safety hazard and potential contamination issue.

Additionally, the system was experiencing vibration, causing the connected pipes to shake. This combination of fluid leakage and excessive vibration posed risks to personnel safety, equipment integrity, and process reliability, requiring immediate attention to prevent further damage and potential downtime.

Chemical Injection Pump Vibration

Chemical Injection Pump Vibration

Problem: A large manufacturing plant located in Japan uses air operated high pressure injection pumps throughout their plant to pump out waste liquids from reactor vessels. The reciprocating action of the pumps creates a pulsating flow which vibrates the plumbing, producing loud noise resulting in worker complaints and possible safety issues.

Steel Manufacturing Descaling Pulsation

Steel Manufacturing Descaling Pulsation

Problem: Rocky Mountain Steel Mills in Pueblo, CO uses two Myers/Aplex MA-240M quintuplex 200 HP plunger pumps to descale the raw material before it is sent through the forming rollers that create the final product. Each of these pumps produces 100 GPM at 2,200 psi. The reciprocating action and high pressure created by these pumps causes severe shaking of the pipes, valves, and pipe supports in the system. More critical to the operation, the pulsating flow can cause erratic descaling of the raw material. This erratic descaling can cause damage to the form rollers and can make it difficult for the steel mill to achieve consistent quality in their final product. This style of pump also requires a smooth flow of fluid to the inlet to work properly.

Effect of Improper Dampener Application

Effect of Improper Dampener Application

Problem: An advanced materials facility based in the Greater Toronto Area was hesitant to include dampeners in their operation as they hadn't had luck with them previously. Blacoh asked to see the installation. Upon further investigation, we discovered the customer had one uncharged dampener for two pumps (photo below), and it was located well outside the recommended 10 pipe diameter rule. This is a prime example of the importance of Size, Location, and Charge in regards to dampener installation.

AODD Pump Pulled from Concrete

AODD Pump Pulled from Concrete

Problem: A major pulp and paper mill in the Northwest used AODD unloading pumps. The reciprocating action of these air operated pumps created violent pulsations that caused both pipe stress and mounting fatigue. In fact, these pulsations often caused the pumps to be pulled from their cement foundations. This created significant downtime, costly foundation repair, environmental hazards, and a dangerous working environment.

Submarine Constrained Piping Acceleration Head

Submarine Constrained Piping Acceleration Head

Problem: The Australian Submarine Corp (ASC) uses a 32mm peristaltic hose pump in Collins Class Submarines to transfer oily contaminated seawater from the bilge to the waste tank. The peristaltic hose pump is perfectly suited to the duty because the pump is capable of self-priming, dry running indefinitely, and can handle sludge-type materials that could be encountered in the bilge. The overall physical size of the pump coupled with the cramped internal confines of the submarine resulted in the suction and discharge pipe work being considerably twisted; incorporating many bends and valves. The pulsed flow action caused the acceleration head of the pump to sharply increase and markedly decrease hose life to the extent that offshore trials were lasting less than a week.

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