You can find liquid ring vacuum pumps in many industrial facilities throughout the world. These unique pumps are extremely valuable in any manufacturing operation because they can act not only as a pump but as a gas compressor as well.
A lot of valuable time is lost whenever your liquid ring vacuum pump malfunctions. It's critical that you can diagnose problems quickly so that you can make the repairs needed to keep your pump running efficiently.
Reduced Pump Capacity
One of the more common problems you may face when it comes to the operation of your liquid ring vacuum pump is a sudden reduction in pump capacity. Reduced pump capacity can make it impossible to complete manufacturing processes successfully, so you need to troubleshoot this problem right away.
Start by checking to ensure that the temperature of the seal water is within the manufacturer's original recommendations. When the water temperature is higher than the seal is designed to withstand, leakage can occur. This leakage results in a loss of pump capacity.
You can also check to ensure that the flow rate is high enough to accommodate your needs. Increasing the flow rate will often increase the pump capacity.
Excessive Noise Production
Most liquid ring vacuum pumps are designed to operate quietly. This makes it easy for you to identify any excessive noise that can indicate your pump is in need of repair.
Flow rate can affect the amount of noise your pump makes while it is in operation. A low flow rate causes the pump to work harder, and this usually results in a lot more noise than normal.
You will also notice excessive noise being produced by your pump when any of the couplings joining vital components have come loose. Tighten all couplings and fasteners to help reduce vibration, and you should restore the quiet operation of your liquid ring vacuum pump.
Seized Pump Shaft
Realizing that your pump shaft is not turning can be devastating. A seized pump shaft makes it impossible for a liquid ring vacuum pump to function properly. Before you begin to panic, there is something simple you can do to troubleshoot a seized shaft.
Disassemble your pump to check for any scale buildup along the interior surfaces. Scale is the result of hard water being fed through your pump.
If you do see a lot of scale, clean the pump thoroughly to restore proper movement. You should also consider the installation of a water softener to help reduce scale buildup in the future.
