Page 218 - Shale Shakers Drilling Fluid Systems

200 SHALE SHAKERS AND DRILLING FLUID SYSTEMS

Centrifugal pump troubleshooting (continued):

6. EXCESSIVE LEAKAGE OF A PACKED PUMP • Check motor—shaft alignment; inspect coupling
STUFFING BOX • Check baseplate bolting and grouting
A. Loose packing gland B. Unsteady vibration
• Adjust packing gland while pump is running • Bad bearings (largest vibration should be near
B. Packing excessively worn or improperly lubricated the bad bearing)
• Replace packing and inspect for proper C. Random, extremely high vibration
lubrication • Possible cavitation; improve suction piping
C. Bent or scoured shaft layout
• Replace shaft and inspect pump for cause D). Vibration disappears when power is off
• Check current cps
7. EXCESSIVE VIBRATION
A. Steady, regular vibration
• Inspect shaft balance and straightness

TABLE 11-4. Conversion Factors

PSI = Head, ft x sp. gr. x 0.434
psi x 2.31
Head, ft = % p. gr.

Head, feet (sp. gr. = 1.0) = 1.133 x inches mercury
Common barrels:
• 1 bbl beer = 31 U.S. gallons
• 1 bbl whiskey = 45 U.S. gallons
• 1 bbl oil = 42 U.S. gallons
Barrels (oil) per day x 0.02917 = gallons per minute