Here are eight of the most frequent issues, along with some of their distinguishing characteristics and how they eventually manifest. Access to a pump engineer who can reach you now to repair your pump is critical.
2. • Diesel engine with hydraulic pumps are used in a variety of industrial processes.
Unfortunately, there are many problems to anticipate, prevent, and overcome to
keep them operational. Maintaining monthly maintenance is crucial, but
understanding the numerous catalysts for hydraulic pump failure is the greatest
way factory technicians can avoid costly inconvenient breakdowns.
3. A Variety Of Factors Can Cause The
Failure Of A Hydraulic Pump
• The most straightforward method for determining the cause of pump failure is to
investigate and dissect the problem’s aftermath extensively. The nature of the
catalyst will, in most situations, reveal the cause of failure. Here are eight of the
most frequent issues, along with some of their distinguishing characteristics and
how they eventually manifest.
4. • Contamination of the fluid
• Debris mixing with the liquid is one of the most common causes of hydraulic pump
failure. This debris generates friction, which causes the pump to wear out faster.
As a result, there is inefficiency, which eventually leads to failure.
• Problems with fluid viscosity
• When the diesel engine with hydraulic pumps fluid inside a pump deteriorates
over time, cavitation occurs when the viscosity is too high (another catalyst for
damage). As a result, heat and friction create issues if a technician changes and
uses a fluid with low viscosity.
• Over-pressurization
• It happens due to an excessive load on the pump, resulting in dangerous and
harmful red-line operations. Diesel engine with hydraulic pumps subjected to high
loads for long periods is prone to component wear and premature failure, which
usually manifests itself.
5. • Excessive warmth
• Poor fluid viscosity or environmental variables might cause it. This problem is
rarely the only cause of pump failure; rather, it exacerbates or obscures other
problems, such as fluid contamination.
• Implosion
• Diesel engine with hydraulic pumps invariably fails catastrophically, posing a
significant safety risk. When air bubbles in a hydraulic pump collapse, the pump
experiences an overflow of pressure, resulting in a strong shock.
• Aeration
• When air bubbles are trapped in hydraulic fluid, this happens. When the bubbles
collapse, the pump applies pressure to them, creating tremendous heat and over-
pressurization. Implosion occurs when aeration reaches excessive levels.
• Aeration of the pump
• Refers to air injected by open joints or shafts rather than air in the hydraulic fluid.
This air soon creates pressure instability, harming the pump’s critical components.
This can swiftly result in a breakdown, usually indicated by a whine or other high-
pitched sound.
6. • Cavitation
• Cavitation occurs when there is inadequate pressure or Net Positive Suction Head
Available (NPSHa) at the pump’s suction end, allowing the liquid in the pump to
convert into vapor at low pressure.
• This causes air bubbles that implode as the liquid flows from the suction side to
the delivery side of the impeller at low pressures.
• The collapse of an air bubble creates a shockwave that affects the inside surfaces
of the pumps, causing vibration and mechanical damage and perhaps leading to
failure.
• When this happens repeatedly, cavitation can weaken the metal, increase flow
resistance, and reduce pumping efficiency by causing pitting and cracks in the
impeller, volutes, and casing. The shaft and motor’s service life may be shortened
due to the shock loads caused by cavitation.
• Cavitation and the difficulties it generates can drastically reduce the life of a pump,
cutting it in half or more in extreme circumstances.
• Cavitation is easiest to avoid during the design stage by ensuring that the chosen
pump has enough NPSHa to keep the liquid above vapor pressure. Because vapor
pressure differs between liquids and varies with pressure and temperature, each
application must determine the NPSH.
• This information can then be used to choose a pump since manufacturers will
supply the Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHr) for any pumps to match it
to the parameters.
7. • Fouling
• Particulate matter sticks to the interior surfaces, most typically in the distribution
lines connected to the intake or outflow, causing fouling. Pumping efficiency and
flow capacity are reduced as a result, and the system may finally fail.
• This is an unavoidable issue, although it is particularly common in applications
where the pumped fluid contains particles. On the other hand, various cleaning
methods can keep the pump in good working order and increase its efficiency and
capacity.
8. • Wear
• Wear is unavoidable when operating a pump; nonetheless, a few conditions might
produce excessive wear, hastening the pump’s degradation. Particulate debris in
the pumped fluid can cause fouling as well as accelerate the wear on a pump.
• These particulates scrape and roughen the inside surfaces, lowering pumping
efficiency over time as the pump has to work harder to convey the fluid.
• The pump will eventually wear down to the point where it will no longer create
enough lift and cause excessive vibration.
• Wear can also be caused by: turbulence, fluid velocity, wear rings degradation,
erosion and corrosion, and an inappropriately sized pump, resulting in a pressure
imbalance, putting unnecessary stress on the bearings and seals; turbulence; wear
rings degradation; and erosion and corrosion.
• Wear can be slowed by ensuring that the pump size and materials are appropriate
for the application. Routine maintenance is performed to identify and resolve any
issues before they cause unplanned downtime or pump failure.
9. Maintenance Is The Same As
Prevention
• Maintenance is the most effective way to ensure that diesel engine operates safely
and efficiently. However, routine maintenance is only the beginning. Identifying
typical problems with your hydraulic pumps will help you provide better-focused
maintenance. For example, if you find a heat issue caused by viscosity, you may be
able to remedy the problem by using a different fluid weight.
• Every bit of knowledge you gain about your pumps can be translated into
improved care, resulting in longer uptimes, fewer difficulties, and overall better
maintenance.
10. Conclusion
• Diesel engine with hydraulic pumps will certainly require maintenance at some
time, and having access to a pump engineer who can come to you directly to
repair your pump is critical. The manufacturer is ideally suited to perform this
maintenance and evaluate and solve any issues you may be experiencing because
they will know the best solution for that pump.