Note: As part of our series Extending the Life of Aging Fixed Plant Equipment, this post will focus on how to identify and stop leaking valve stem seals, while Part 2 will address best practices for reducing leaks in flange sealing. Coping with Older Fixed Equipment Process plants in Europe and the US are facing […]
Five Tips to Reduce Maintenance Costs for Older Hydraulic Presses
Upgrading cylinder sealing for hydraulic presses can pay off in reliability, longer asset life, and shorter repair time. It’s a common dilemma for the operators of heavy-duty hydraulic systems and press machines around the world: When large diameter cylinders become worn and/or damaged – should you invest in new cylinders or repair the existing ones? While […]
Pump Packing Materials for Worn Equipment: The Benefits of Injectable Packing
Injectable packing is an ideal pump packing material when you are looking to seal equipment with worn shafts or fretted sleeves. In this post, you’ll learn when to use this flexible packing technology and tips for implementing it. The Limits of Standard Pump Packing Braided packing is the oldest pump sealing method used in the […]
How to Gain Pump Efficiency with Restoration & Protective Coatings
In this post, you’ll learn how refurbishing and protecting worn pumps with the right high-performance coatings can restore lost pump efficiency often back to or exceeding the levels shown on the manufacturer’s pump performance curve. We’ll also talk about applying coatings to the internals of new pumps or purchasing them pre-coated, a practice that is […]
Using Split Seals for Improved Turbine Shaft Sealing
Sealing devices for Kaplan and Francis hydropower turbines are critical components that assure reliable operation and environmental compliance. Those working with these turbines in the hydropower industry are discovering that using mechanical split seals for main shaft sealing can make significant advances in their operations. In today’s post, we interview John Sousa, a Chesterton expert […]
Combating Corrosion in Hydropower Facilities with Protective Coatings
If you are operating a hydroelectric facility, you are most likely in an isolated region where the reliability of plant systems is paramount. The lack of easy access to spare parts, heavy equipment, and skilled maintenance staff requires careful planning and advanced preparation. Since plant up-time is especially critical you need to be able to […]
Using the Pump Performance Curve to Increase Pump Efficiency & Save Energy
Improving the efficiency of a pump can have an enormous impact on increasing the return on investment (ROI) of each pump in your operation.
Kaplan Turbine Sealing: Troubleshooting Leakage
About Kaplan Turbines The Kaplan turbine is one of the most commonly used turbines types in hydropower facilities around the globe. This “reaction type” propeller turbine is an evolution of the Francis turbine. It has adjustable blades and/or wicket gates (single- or double-regulation systems) to obtain optimal efficiency in different pressure/head conditions. It operates at efficiencies up to […]
Reducing Methane Emissions [Infographic]
Methane (CH4) is the second largest greenhouse gas emitted in the United States. In 2016, CH4 accounted for about approximately 10% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, according to the US Department of Environmental Services (EPA). A 2015 report in Environmental Science and Technology measured a total of 219 non-compressor connections with […]
Fugitive Emissions: Understanding API Standards for Valves & Packing
Since the introduction of the U.S. Clean Air Act in 1963, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and individual states have set increasingly stringent consent decrees for fugitive emissions from industrial facilities. Many companies have implemented Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs, and industry groups have focused efforts on helping member companies decrease valve emissions. Most […]