Learn about the impact of corrosion on the availability and lifetime cost of above ground storage tanks, and how choose the right protective coating over the range of exposures in the lifetime use of each tank.
6 Ways to Improve Electric Motor Lubrication for Better Bearing Reliability
Learn best lubrication practices for extending the life of electric motors.
Developing an Equipment Preservation Plan for Plant Inventory
With a deliberate and well thought-out equipment preservation plan, your operation will have quality inventory available in excellent condition when you need it.
Why You Should Change to Non-Metallic-Based Thread Lubricants, Pastes, and Sealants
A thread lubricant, as with any lubrication product, is necessary to protect contact surfaces from wear and fatigue due to load and friction. Thread pastes assist in assembly to manage the friction between contact surfaces of thread, washer and nut face during the tightening of the assembly. This step is critical to have predictable bolt […]
Support Plans for Double/Dual Mechanical Seals [Double Seals: Part 3]
Controlling the environment surrounding a seal is the single best way to extend the life of that seal. In Part 3 of our series on Double/Dual Mechanical Seals we take a look at the best piping plans/support systems to put in place to increase seal/equipment reliability and reduce energy/water costs. For any mechanical seal to perform […]
Flange Sealing: Best Practices for Maintaining Aging Equipment
Part 2 of our series Extending the Life of Aging Fixed Plant Equipment, this post focuses on techniques and practices to reduce flange leaks and extend equipment life. Proper gasket seating stress is important to generate the pressure drop required in sealing a flange reliably. This gasket stress needs to stay between a certain minimum and […]
The Benefits of Wear Rings on Hydraulic Cylinder Life & Reliability
Hydraulic cylinders are designed to generate longitudinal force and handle the longitudinal load. But many of these cylinders are also impacted severely by the transverse load. The engineering rule of thumb says that about 10-15% of the hydraulic force is always applied as transverse load, even in the most ideal situation. The mechanical impact of […]
Understanding the Basics of Food-Grade Grease Selection
What is a Food-Grade Grease? Greases used to lubricate machinery in Food/Beverage/Pharmaceutical production are governed by special rules to protect product purity, health, and safety. Unlike standard industrial lubricants, the design of food-grade grease and oil must follow strict guidelines for chemical composition established by the FDA under title 21CFR Part 178.3570 “Lubricants with Incidental […]
Troubleshooting Basics for Centrifugal Pump Packing
Evaluating centrifugal pump packing that has failed or reached the end of its useful life offers vital clues to help you make improvements in your next round of sealing. Failed packing can be a sign that the wrong packing is being used for the application or other possibilities ranging from excessive gland load to inadequate […]
Digging Deeper into Better Reliability for Mega Mining Hydraulic Excavators
In the world of mining, hydraulic excavators are among one of the most important engineering innovations in a new generation of ultra-large “mega” mining machinery designed to increase output and expand production. Because electric rope shovels and hydraulic excavators / shovels often serve and load as many as 8-10 mining haul trucks per day, unplanned […]