TOPIC- EFFECTS OF PUMP THRUST - DOWNTHRUST & UPTHRUST ON RELIABILITY

It's understandably a topic that concerns the operator when considering the use of a horizontal pump.

What's the real story about thrust and its effect on this type of pump system? How do I know that the thrust bearings and mechanism to cool and lubricate the system will prevent my pump from failing?

Have you asked the pump salesman or 'expert' vendor engineers, and still in the fog or not confident you got a qualified answer?

It's well known in the industry that vendors have faced a steep learning curve about the effects of thrust on catastrophic pump failure. Meanwhile, operators have suffered the financial consequences of 'thrust chamber' problems even with redundant back up pumps, - water injection facilities that go down, waterflood operations that screech to a halt, and pipelines without the boost pressure caused by a repeatedly occuring downed pump!

If you've faced one or all of these problems, you may be reluctant or very concerned when you hear your facility is considering these type of pumps.

OK, in brief - you've got to understand over the entire expected operating range of the pumps, the design thrust(both downthrust and upthrust) and how to ensure that you NEVER go into upthrust conditions outside of design range. You also need to ask smart questions to ensure that the pump system was designed properly around what you need!

So what kind of questions to ask vendors? You're wanting to get the information you need to stay out of trouble!: