Repair Solutions
For Pump Efficiency Improvement
A fluid passing through a hydraulic passage As the surface roughness of the passage
is subject to resistance caused by friction and increases, the boundary layer thickens.
viscosity. If the velocity of the fluid is low, it At some specific speed (known as critical
will flow in parallel layers to the sides of the velocity), this layer becomes unstable and the
passage, with no disruption between the transition is made to turbulent flow. Under
layers. This regime is known as laminar this regime discrete molecules of fluid behave
flow. If the velocity of the fluid increases, at as separate entities creating vortices and
some point the fluid flow becomes chaotic, cross-currents. This results in energy losses
and unsteady eddies appear. This regime is in addition to those arising from skin friction
opposed to the laminar flow and is known as or boundary layer drag.
turbulent flow.
Flow
Classical theory of Fluid Mechanics states In the case of relatively smooth surfaces, the
that molecules of a fluid at the surface of the thickness of the boundary layer can still
passage are stationary. As a result, a velocity be sufficient to cover surface projections,
gradient is established across the passage and the surface is said to be hydraulically
due to the fact that the fluid layers adjacent smooth.
to the static molecules are slowed down. This
effect becomes less intense as the distance
from the passage wall increases. The resulting
viscous shearing is known as skin friction
or boundary layer drag, and accounts for
pressure losses in passages operating under
a laminar flow regime. The boundary layer is
defined as the layer of fluid in the immediate
vicinity of a bounding surface, which has its
velocity affected by boundary shear.
SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND
THE EFFECTS OF EROSION - CORROSION
In case of equipment made of cast iron, surface roughness can be seen by the naked eye
although is more clearly visible with the aid of a scanning electron microscope.
Head
energy and, therefore, efficient
The pump in uncoated condition, operation of this equipment is
running at 1,300 rpm was found to essential to optimize operational
deliver 5.55 MGD (875 m3/hr) at costs. Any increase in fluid
86.9 ft (26.5 m) head with overall efficiency gives an immediate
peak efficiency of 83.5% (overall
Efficiency
saving in power consumption,
efficiency defined as the ratio of and provided that these pumps
Coated
The pump tests were carried out Take, for instance, the pump
using a typical closed-loop system tested N.E.L., a relative small
with a series of flow/head/power unit consuming 75.7 kW at duty
readings taken across the full flow point. By application of Belzona
range from 10% to 125% to give an Supermetalglide system, the
uncoated pump
accurate performance curve using peak efficiency was raised by energy savings
puissance
calibrated test instrumentation 6% giving power reduction of
power
By careful consideration of all the parameters affecting the performance of fluid handling equipment, Belzona
Supermetalglide was developed to overcome and outperform conventional coating systems in the areas of:
CAVITATION ENTRAINMENT
COMPARATIVE VOLUME LOSS PER UNIT TIME COMPARATIVE VOLUME LOSS PER UNIT TIME TESTED
TESTED AT 20,000 CPS AND 50 AMPLITUDE AT 1,000 CYCLES USING WET TABER ABRASER TEST
BELZONA PROTECTIVE COATINGS
Belzona provides solutions for Belzona offers a durable corrosion By using Belzona, pump systems
repairing pumps rather thandisposing resistant protective layer to protect receive a smooth surface finish, which
the equipment, which in turn reduces the internal and external areas then creates better flow to increase
the cost of downtime and eliminates pump efficiency.
of the pump from the effects of
expenses for new pump purchases.
erosion and corrosion.
Entrained solids and cavitation can Output of the pump was drastically Old, worn pump casings that are pitted
cause severe damage, as noted by the reduced due to corrosion and and covered with scale can reduce
holes and pitting on runner vane cavitation damage. pump efficiency by as much as 20%.
Replacement of the runner would After coating the pump with Belzona, By addressing erosion-corrosion
result in a several million dollar performance drastically increased. problems, Belzona creates a smooth
investment. Therefore, rebuilding Four years later, the pump was still surface finish which increases
and protecting with Belzona is the 9% more efficient than its previous efficiency of the pump better than
condition, prolonging the life of the OEM provided.
most cost effective option.
pump.
Belzona is not just a product, but a complete service to industry.
ISO 9001:2008
Q 09335
ISO 14001:2004
EMS 509612