1 Principles of Centrifugal Process Pumps 1 Pump performance: Head and Flow Operation at zero flow Impellers and rotors The meaning of specific speed Process pump types Process pump mechanical response to flow changes Recirculation and cavitation The importance of suction specific speed What we have learned References 2 Pump Selection and Industrial Standards 15 Why insist on better pumps ANSI and ISO vs API pumps What we have learned References 3 Foundations and Base Plates 23 Securing pumps in place--with one exception Why not to install pump sets in the as-shipped condition Conventional vs pre-filled base plate installations Epoxy pre-filled base plates How to proceed if there is no access to specialist firms What we have learned: Checklist of foundation and base plate topics References 4 Piping, Stationary Seals, and Gasketing 35 Pipe installation and support Sliding supports and installation sequence deserve special attention Monitoring pipe stress while bolting up Flange leakage What to do prior to gasket insertion Spiral wound and kammprofile gaskets Pipe, hydraulic tubing or flexible connections Gusseting Concentric vs eccentric reducers Vibration problems in piping What we have learned on piping and gasketing topics References 5 Rolling Element Bearings 49 Bearing selection overview and windage as a design problem Radial vs axial (thrust) bearings Oil levels, multiple bearings, and different bearing orientations Upgrading and retrofit opportunities Bearing cages Bearing preload and clearance effects Bearing dimensions and mounting tolerances What we have learned References 6 Lubricant Application and Cooling Considerations 69 Lubricant level and oil application Issues with oil rings Pressure and temperature balance in bearing housings Cooling not needed on pumps with rolling element bearings Oil delivery by constant level lubricators Black oil Lube application as oil mist (oil fog) Desiccant breathers and expansion chambers What we have learned References 7 Lubricant Types and Key Properties 83 Lubricant viscosities When and why high film-strength synthetic lubricants are used Lubricants for oil mist systems What we have learned References 8 Bearing Housing Protection and Cost-Justification 91 Non-contacting bearing protector seals Contacting bearing protector seals How venting and housing pressurization affect bearing protector seal performance Cost justification overview Advanced bearing housing (bearing protector) seal summary What we have learned References 9 Mechanical Sealing Options for Long Life 99 Still using packing? General overview of mechanical seals All flush plans have advantages and disadvantages Always obtain the full picture Seal chamber pumping ring (circulating device) technologies Lessons to apply to many services What we have learned Bibliography 10 Pump Operation 115 Starting centrifugal pumps Surveillance of pump operation Centrifugal pump shutdown What we have learned 11 Impeller Modifications and Pump Maintenance 121 Maintenance essentials Superior maintenance requires upgrading Impeller upgrading with inducers Distance from impeller tips to stationary internal casing components Impeller trimmings Impeller wear rings Vane tip overfiling and underfiling What we have learned References 12 Lubrication Management 131 How bad is water contamination? Avoid solids contamination Avoid questionable storage and transfer practices Periodic audits What we have learned References 13 Pump Condition Monitoring: Pump Vibration, Rotor Balance, and Effect on Bearing Life 139 Vibration and its effect on bearing life Monitoring methods differ Vibration acceptance limits Causes of excessive vibration Rotor balancing What we have learned References 14 Drivers, Couplings, and Alignment 153 Driver selection Coupling selection and installation Installation and removal Alignment and quality criteria Consequences of misalignment Thermal rise and predefinition of growth What we have learned References 15 Fits, Dimensions, and Related Misunderstandings 163 Low incremental cost of better pumps Pump pedestals and bearing housings should not be water-cooled Summary of bearing-related issues Constant level lubricators Bearing housing protector seals ("bearing isolators") Motor lubrication summary Mechanical seal issues Hydraulic issues Impeller hydraulics Mechanical improvement or upgrade options Process pump repair dimensions What we have learned References 16 Failure Statistics and Successful Failure Analysis 183 Mean time between failures and repair cost calculations Performing your own projected MTBF calculations Older pumps vs newer pumps Reliability reviews start before purchase Structured failure analysis strategies solve problems The "FRETT" approach to eradicating repeat failures of pumps What we have learned References Index 199.