Laurie Levy

September is the month of mixed emotions. Expect that there are a few easy changes which are ableto be madeto a classical

centrifugal or positive displacement pump. Beginning with pumps with overhung impellers, a solidshaft is a easy change over the usual sleeved shafts. Mechanical seals can be improved throughtungsten carbide faces, and elastomers can be changed to Viton. In addition, magnetic bearingprotectors would be a gigantic step up in relationship. The majority of installed pumps were notoriginally specified for their present function. Typically, a line in a company is modified and a pumpthat started out providing cooling fluid to an injection molding machine pump packing is now askedto move oil from a rail car to a tank. Sadly, this is the cause of many problems for the pump and theplant. Pumps operate where the pump curve crosses the system curve. When you move a pump fromone system to another, this means that the system curve is different. This new system may cause thepump to operate away from its best efficiency point, leading to noise and other component problemsthat are merely symptoms of a mis-matched pump and system.to the lip seals which many industrialpumps rely on to keep bearing sump oil free from contaminants.

All of us can remember the feelings we experienced at the start of a school year. There was alwaysthe excitement about fresh school supplies, new clothes, and seeing old friends.

Mixed with that, however, was the worry about whether the new...