Pumps

Since pumps are most frequently used to transfer water and other aqueous chemicals, water ingression through shaft seals is a leading cause of contamination. For this reason, most newer pumps are equipped with IP-67 rated labyrinth-style bearing isolators versus traditional packing. However, even with a bearing isolator, water in the form of humid air can still migrate through the seals into the pump, causing significant reduction in bearing life

Installing a desiccant breather in place of the fill plug not only helps to reduce headspace humidity inside the pump bearing housing, in turn lowering the water content in the oil, it can also serve as an indicator of seal leakage by observing the pink-to-blue color change of the breather.

Small centrifugal pumps have bearings with an outside diameter of 4” (100 mm) or less. That means the ball in the radial support and thrust bearings can be as small as ½” (12.5 mm). Since the correct oil level is halfway up the lowest rolling element, that means the oil level needs to be maintained within a tolerance of ±1/8” (1-2 mm).

Because of this, many pumps are equipped with constant level oilers (CLOs) to maintain levels. However, even with a CLO, being able to visually check levels is an important daily or weekly maintenance check.

The costs associated with water and particle ingression in pumps are multifaceted, impacting immediate repair needs and long-term operational efficiency. A single pump failure due to this type of contamination can often range from $5,000 for minor issues in non-critical applications to over $100,000 in severe cases involving major downtime, environmental impacts or product losses. Preventive measures such as regular maintenance, proper filtration, and the use of high-quality breathers can mitigate these costs by ensuring the pump and the overall system remain in optimal working condition.