White paper: Replacing metallic wear components with composites in centrifugal pumps
Mike Edwards
NewsIn centrifugal pumps, wear materials are used as a buffer between rotating and stationary parts. Historically, these components have been metallic in nature. To avoid galling and possible equipment seizure, dynamic metal clearances are set at a generous minimum.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) published Standard 610 which addresses these clearance recommendations for centrifugal pumps used in petroleum, petrochemical, and natural gas industries.
Since 2003, non-metallic materials have been recognized by API Standard 610 as suitable wear materials for such applications. Composite wear components (such as wear rings, bearings, and bushings) can be installed with a smaller dynamic clearance than metallic components. A smaller dynamic clearance has two distinct advantages.
First, the reduced clearance restricts the recirculation or escape of process media. Secondly, the reduced clearance generates increased fluid pressure around the shaft, which has a centering effect that stabilizes the shaft and reduces system vibration.
COMPOSITE BASICS
A composite is an engineered material composed of two or more different materials that produce unique properties which neither material could singularly achieve.
Greene Tweed’s wear composite product line of engineered composites is formulated for use as wear materials in centrifugal pumps and other rotating equipment.
Centrifugal pumps are designed to operate under optimal conditions, including a fluid film between stationary and rotating elements within the equipment. However, unplanned incidents can occur, resulting in low levels of lubrication. Greene Tweed wear composites have excellent friction and wear properties that enable survival during such events, and in extreme cases will mitigate the risk of damage to pump hardware by serving as sacrificial components.
To continue, download white paper from Greene Tweed. Greene Tweed products are distributed in Canada by A.R. Thomson Group of Red Deer, AB.
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