Centrifugal Pump Vibrations:

The Causes

by
Steven J. Hrivnak, P.E.
Associate Mechanical Engineer
Tennessee Eastman
Eastman Chemical Company

EASTMAN
FAULTS REPORTED OVER 3 YEARS
Vibration: a measure of reliability!

Poorly installed and operated pumps average

.178 in/sec overall vibration
and have 6 months life.

Properly installed pumps average

.071 in/sec overall vibration
and have 60 months life.

EASTMAN
Three Basic Causes of Pump
Vibrations:

• Mechanically Induced
• System Induced
• Operation Induced
 Mechanically Induced
• Bad bearings
• Bent Shaft
• Unbalanced Rotor
• Check Valve Installed Backwards
• Mis-Alignment
• Looseness
• Soft Foot
• Maximum Size Impeller
 System Induced

• Partially/Plugged Strainer
• Clogged Impeller or Suction Line
• Installation
PIPING?
Foundations
and
Baseplates
The mass ratio must be 3:1 to
minimize vibration
 Operationally Induced
• Cavitation
• Flow
• Speed
• Insufficient Immersion of Suction Pipe or
Bell
Cavitation and Flow
 Head
High Temp. Rise

Low Flow Cavitation

Low Bearing and Seal Life

Reduced Impeller Life

Suction Recirculation

Discharge Recirculation

Flow
Operating Off The B.E.P.

B.E.P.

Low Bearing and

Seal Life

Cavation
You can’t run a pump with suction
and discharge valves closed!
 Minimum Flow

1750 rpm 15-20% BEP Flow

3500 rpm 30-50% BEP Flow
Maximum Flow

110-115% BEP Flow

Speed
Suction Pipe Immersion
Conclusions
Avoid Max Size Impellers

EASTMAN
Conclusions
Avoid Max Size Impellers
Keep speed to 1750 max

EASTMAN
Conclusions
Avoid Max Size Impellers
Keep speed to 1750 max
Keep flow in design range

EASTMAN
Conclusions
Avoid Max Size Impellers
Keep speed to 1750 max
Keep flow in design range
Grout your baseplates

EASTMAN
Conclusions
Avoid Max Size Impellers
Keep speed to 1750 max
Keep flow in design range
Grout your baseplates
Use proper piping

EASTMAN
Conclusions
Avoid Max Size Impellers
Keep speed to 1750 max
Keep flow in design range
Grout your baseplates
Use proper piping
Avoid hydraulically induced problems like
cavitation, and suction and discharge re-circulation,
submergence.

EASTMAN
 5 PUMPS - 6 YR. MTBF
8 PUMPS - 5 YR. MTBF
15 PUMPS - 4 YR. MTBF