We are pleased to share with you the successful completion of a challenging pump restoration project undertaken by PSS at a major refinery in Thailand. Last year, we received a badly corroded VS4 sump pump from the refinery, with a total length of 8.3 meters and a column length below the base plate of approximately 6.2 meters. After 20-25 years of service in a sump pump application, the pump casing, columns, shafts, and base plate were severely corroded despite the process condition specification calling for clean water, which is a rare occurrence in a refinery environment.
Upon thorough inspection in our PSS workshop, it was evident that significant restoration work would be necessary. The cast iron casing, 12% chrome shafts, carbon steel columns and discharge pipes, vent pipings, suction strainer, bearings, and seals all required replacement. Essentially, nearly every component except for the base plate and motor stand needed to be replaced. While we proposed a metallurgical upgrade for enhanced durability, the customer opted to prioritize budget constraints and agreed to our recommendations for the replacement of specific parts.
Our team of dedicated PSS Engineers invested approximately two weeks of rigorous effort to redesign all the pump parts. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, the pump casing was scanned and 3D modeled in our engineering division. Column flanges were expertly welded at our workshop, and all shafts were precision-machined in-house. After meticulous attention to detail and coordination, all the components were ready for assembly just three months after receiving the customer’s order confirmation.
However, during the final assembly process of the pump, a challenge arose when our mechanics detected shaft run-out issues. Thorough internal alignment of columns and shafts revealed that they were within our specifications, prompting an in-depth investigation. Our experienced rotating equipment engineers identified soft foot problems on the base plate that had initially gone unnoticed due to corrosion.
In response, our team promptly disassembled the entire pump to address the issue with the 1.5 m x 1 m base plate. Utilizing our state-of-the-art vertical lathe and vertical planer machine, we meticulously machined out the corrosion and restored the base plate to its original specifications. After careful leveling and precision reassembly, all pump run-out issues were effectively eliminated, ensuring the pump’s optimal performance.
We are delighted to announce that the entire pump restoration project was successfully handed over to our esteemed customer a few weeks ago. This significant accomplishment showcases the full range of PSS Engineering, repair, and service capabilities. The dedication and expertise of our team resulted in a pump that has been restored to the highest quality, meeting and exceeding our customer’s expectations.
At PSS, we take great pride in our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. This project stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to delivering top-notch solutions in the pump industry.