Applications

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Centrifugal Pump Startup

Centrifugal Pump Startup

Problem: An internationally known tool manufacturer located in the Pacific Northwest was experiencing severe pipe vibration in an overhead manifold system. The system delivers coolant to several production grinding machines. The coolant is delivered to the manifold by a 300 gpm centrifugal pump located in a reservoir on the plant floor. When the pump is started, a ball valve at the pump discharge is opened and fluid is pushed vertically up to the horizontal manifold. The manifold does not stay filled with liquid during idle periods so, when the pump is started the coolant flowing into the manifold must first push the air trapped in the manifold out the machine coolant nozzles before coolant reaches the machines. Since air moves more quickly out of the nozzles than liquid, when the coolant reaches the nozzles the velocity of the coolant is instantly reduced and a water hammer effect occurs creating severe pipe vibration.

Facilities Maintenance

Facilities Maintenance

Problem: Our customer moved into their new building which did not have a pressure reducing valve in the water main and the system pressure in the building was around 90 psi. The owner's office is near the men's restroom. Every time the urinal was flushed, extreme water hammer occurred. This was very aggravating to the owner and he was afraid that the water hammer might cause a pipe to rupture and flood the building.

Drum Filling Line

Drum Filling Line

Problem: MeadWestvaco is a resin plant in Charleston, SC. They have a drum filling line that operates with an automatic filling arm. When a drum is filled an automatic valve closes which causes an extreme water hammer effect. All the pipes leading into the system shake so hard they have broken loose from the pipe stringers

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical

Problem: A leader in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals uses a Goulds 3196 centrifugal pump size 1x1.5-8 to transfer 35 gallons/minute of acetone at 30 psi from the tank farm into the clean storage room. There is an automatic actuating valve in the line that opens and shuts upon plant demand. This quick shutting valve is sending pipe hammer down the line and causing shaking of the pipes, leaks, pipe hangers pulled from the ceilings, and damage to the pump, resulting in costly, unwanted repairs.

Pump Startup & Shutdown

Pump Startup & Shutdown

Problem: AGI Industries was contacted by a local construction company doing the construction on the West Closure Complex Pump Station in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is one of the largest pumping stations in the United States and is part of the Hurricane Protection Project. During heavy storm conditions, including hurricanes, pumps can inadvertently shut down due to power failure. Pumps will also quickly turn back on when power is restored. When this sudden start/stop of the pump occurs, fluid in the system will change velocity rapidly and can actually reverse direction. New incoming fluid can collide with this reverse flow as the pump restarts. This event causes a severe water hammer effect that can damage piping, valves, and the pumps.

Sump Storm Water

Sump Storm Water

Problem: The Park Royal Hotel in Sydney has two large Flygt submersible pumps which operate automatically to pump out storm water and seepage. The pumps are installed in a sump in the basement car park. When the pumps shut down due to low level in the sump, the backflow of the storm water still in the discharge line returned against the check valve at the pump's discharge. This caused severe pipe vibration and water hammer. The force was so great that the pipe, mounted on the basement ceiling with brackets and Ramset dyna-bolts, was dislodged, landing on expensive motor vehicles.