Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Background/Objectives: This study is an attempt to prove the dependence of the slurry pump life on the vibration parameters for developing the diagnostics algorithm and express-method to evaluate the operating state of the slurry pump in the hydraulic transportation system. Methods/Statistical Analysis: It is expedient to evaluate technical state of the pumping equipment by parametric diagnostic methods based on the measurement of hydrodynamic parameters of the slurry pump workflow. The pump vibration characteristics were measured with Prufnechnik portable diagnostic system using autonomous encoders Vibscanners. The dependence of the slurry pump life on the vibration parameters is proved theoretically and experimentally and it is shown that the operating life of the pump is an exponential function of the preset root-mean-square value of the vibration velocity. Findings: Most parametric diagnostic methods are based on specifications on the respective equipment. The important factor is that these characteristics are obtained by factory tests on water pumps. Therefore, when this equipment is operated for slurry pumping, it will be immediately show deviation of the basic hydraulic parameters from the factory performance. During operation, characteristics of the equipment may also vary. This may be determined by many factors, the main of which is the hydroabrasive wear, which is associated with features of the pumped medium. Data analysis of operating slurry pumps at the processing facilities and reasons of their failures leads to the conclusion that among all the factors determining operating life of slurry pumps hydroabrasive wear of the impeller has the greatest impact. The experiments and statistical data show that with the increase in the hydraulic abrasion of the impeller considerable dynamic loads occur associated with the misbalance at the driving shaft due to the low-frequency vibrations received by the bearing units. These factors result in the slurry pump lower pressure. These results suggest giving a more accurate evaluation of the technical state of the pumping equipment based on the measurement of hydrodynamic parameters of the slurry pump workflow. Improvements: Engineers designing hydraulic transportation systems will be able to obtain more complete idea of the vibration-based diagnostics of slurry pumps used for pulp-pumping, which will enable to increase operating life of pumping equipment applying these data.

Keywords: Energy Consumption, Express-Diagnostics, Hydrotransport, Hydroabrasive Wear, Slurry Pump, Technical State