Blog
- March 21, 2025
The Fundamentals of Positive Displacement Pumps
The world of industrial pumping moves billions of gallons daily, powering industries and delivering solutions for complex challenges. Each application demands precision and reliability, making the choice of pump technology crucial. This article explores the foundational differences between positive displacement (PD) pumps and rotodynamic pumps.
The Basics of Pump Technology
Industrial pumps can be broadly categorized into two main types: PD pumps and rotodynamic pumps. While rotodynamic pumps rely on velocity to move fluid, PD pumps operate by capturing a fixed volume of fluid and moving it from the pump inlet to the pump discharge connection. This fundamental difference shapes their respective performance characteristics and suitability for various applications.
- March 07, 2025
The Pros and Cons of Gear Reducers for Positive Displacement Pumps
High viscosity liquids, shear sensitive liquids, abrasive liquids, or any combination of these often require the pump speed to be reduced from synchronous motor speeds. Thus, positive displacement pumps often require reduced speed operations depending on the application.
One of the simplest solutions to reducing speed in positive displacement pumps is via a gear reducer. These simple machines consist of one or more pairs of gears. The driver (typically an electric motor) turns the smaller gear at high speed. The smaller gear (drive gear) rotates a larger gear (driven gear) with a greater number of teeth. The ratio of driven gear teeth to drive gear teeth determines the ratio of the gear reducer. As an example, a reducer with a 10-tooth drive gear and 30-tooth driven gear has a ratio of 3:1. The speed of the output shaft (and connected pump) would be 1/3 that of the driver shaft (and connected motor).
- February 24, 2025
10 Key Facts About Reciprocating Pumps
Because centrifugal pumps are widely used, pump and rotating equipment engineers are generally familiar with this equipment's operating principles, performance curves and selection criteria.
While centrifugal pumps are the subject of much training, the dwindling population of reciprocating pumps has led to a loss of understanding of this pump type's unique system design requirements. Centrifugal pump specifications are now commonly and incorrectly applied to reciprocating pumps, which can lead to significant reliability problems. End users should consider these 10 key facts about reciprocating pumps that can influence reliability and operation.
1. Pressure Pulsations
Unlike centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps have a stronger interaction with the overall system as a result of the pressure pulsations they generate. Because of the linear reciprocating motion of a plunger/piston, the plunger/piston
- February 10, 2025
Gas Charged Dampener: SFU 3000 Series
Sudden pressure changes within a fluid system can lead to pulsations or cavitations, resulting in excessive vibrations, noise, and even significant damage or system failure. To safeguard your equipment, installing pulsation dampeners—such as suction stabilizers at the pump inlet and discharge stabilizers at the outlet—can help maintain system integrity.
These stabilizers utilize nitrogen-filled cartridges to absorb pressure fluctuations caused by rapid fluid acceleration and deceleration. Common causes of pulsation include leaking valves, improper spring rates, restrictive piping designs, worn packing, and an excessive number of pumps on a single header. Understanding and addressing these factors can enhance system performance and longevity.
Features and Benefits of the SFU 3000 Series:
- Increased pre-charge - Now at 500 psig
- 100 cubic inch with new higher 3000 psig rating
- Top Repairable - reduces system
- January 30, 2025
General Precautions Before Starting Your Wheatley GASO Piston Pump
Ensuring that your pump is properly prepared before operation is critical to its performance, longevity, and safety. Taking a few precautionary steps can prevent unnecessary wear, mechanical failures, and costly downtime. Below is a detailed guide on what to check before starting your pump.
1. Ensure the Pump is Level
A properly leveled pump allows for even lubrication during operation. If the pump is not level, lubricant distribution may be uneven, which can result in increased wear on components. Use a leveling tool to make any necessary adjustments.
2. Verify Lubricant Levels in the Crankcase
Check that the pump crankcase is filled with the correct type and amount of lubricant. Operating the pump with inadequate or incorrect lubrication can lead to overheating and accelerated component wear. Always refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for guidance.
3. Inspect and Tighten
- January 16, 2025
Why Does Your Positive Displacement Pump Come with a Pressure Relief Valve?
Positive displacement pumps are engineered to deliver a constant volume of fluid with every revolution of the shaft, regardless of system pressure. This characteristic makes them highly reliable in applications requiring steady flow. However, this same trait also creates the potential for overpressure when discharge flow is restricted or blocked, which is why pressure relief valves are essential.
Understanding the Role of Pressure Relief Valves
Unlike centrifugal pumps, which have a performance curve where flow decreases as pressure increases, positive displacement pumps maintain a nearly constant flow rate regardless of pressure changes. This performance can lead to excessive pressure if the system isn’t designed to handle such conditions.
A pressure relief valve provides a crucial safety mechanism by preventing overpressurization. When pressure in the system exceeds
- January 03, 2025
Understanding and Maintaining Gears for the Wheatley GASO Piston Pump
The efficient operation of the Wheatley GASO piston pump relies on two principal types of gears: herringbone gears and worm gears. These components play a critical role in ensuring smooth functionality and proper lubrication for the pump’s moving parts.
Herringbone Gears: Design and Operation
Herringbone gears in Wheatley GASO piston pumps utilize the continuous tooth Sykes design, ensuring maximum durability and efficiency. Key components include:
- The pinion gear: made of alloy steel, this gear is keyed securely to the pinion shaft.
- The main gear: crafted from high-grade semi-steel or ductile iron, it features an internal flange for bolting to the crankshaft using cap screws.
The meshing of the herringbone gears provides the principal method of lubrication for the pinion and crankshaft bearings. Therefore, the pinion must be turning in the direction specified on the
- December 18, 2024
Hydraulic Drive Systems for Plunger Pumps in Oil & Gas
Understanding the role hydraulic drive systems can play in oil and gas applications
In almost all oil and gas drilling, along with utility line drilling operations, a plunger, triplex or mud pump must be used. These three terms are synonymous with a crankshaft-driven, multiple-piston pump design capable of high volumes and pressures. The pump’s main goal is to provide lubrication and cooling for the drill bit, pressure control of the well and removal of waste drilling material from the hole. The drilling process conditions constantly change during operation, including depth, ground hardness, mud quality, drilling direction, etc. The mud pressure required reflects changes in all these parameters.
With all these variables, it is essential to control the mud pressure and flow quickly and accurately. The most common mud pump power sources are mechanical gearboxes, chain
- December 04, 2024
Lubrication for Wheatley GASO Piston Pumps - Power End
Gears, connecting rod bearings and crossheads in all geared piston type pumps are lubricated by splash from lubricant in the crankcase. Crankshaft bearings and pinion shaft bearings in Series 1800, 1500, 1600. 1700. 1900, and 2600 pumps are also lubricated from this same crankcase oil by splash.
Shaft bearings in Series 1550-C. 1654-C. 2000 and 2200 pumps and in pumps with serial numbers 24523 and below are sealed off from the crankcase lubricant by oil seals and run in a separate bath of oil retained in the respective bearing housing.
Warning
The crankcase is drained after factory testing. Remove the crankcase cover or crosshead guide hand hole cover and fill with sufficient lubricant before starting the pump for the first time.
Crankcase Oil for Wheatley GASO Piston Pumps
Quantity and type of lubricant required
- November 20, 2024
Modifying Existing Pump Equipment to Maintain Operational Standards
To start, if you're looking to retrofit or reverse-engineer and upgrade existing pumps, IEQ can help.
Many aging manufacturing facilities have witnessed changes in market demand that have altered their product slate and capacity. These changing system demands often cause equipment that was previously well-sized for the application to run significantly away from the operating range where peak efficiency and reliability are achieved. Running in this mode drives up the life cycle cost of equipment due to short maintenance cycles and wasted energy. In cases where reliability is severely compromised, equipment operating costs can also be accompanied by risk to production due to mid-cycle failures and unavailability of equipment.
To maintain safe, reliable and cost-effective operation, it is important to ensure pump systems are optimized. When approached