The sound of the vacuum pump has changed, and there is likely a problem with the device. Abnormal noise is caused by the device reporting a message, understanding it, and troubleshooting it in sequence. In most cases, it can be resolved during the minor problem stage. This article explains the common types of abnormal noises and their corresponding parts, the steps for judging the sound, and the sequence of shutdown inspection. The on duty operation and maintenance personnel will follow it once and have a clear understanding.
Intermittent popping sounds are mostly caused by cavitation or liquid impact, which are related to the amount of working fluid and the presence of fluid in the intake; There is a high possibility of mechanical problems with bearings and couplings due to persistent metal friction noise; The regular knocking sound should be checked for the pump valve and moving parts. The most valuable diagnostic value is the abnormal noise during the start stop and load increase/decrease moments when listening to the sound in combination with load changes.
There are two tips for listening and judging: one is to use a listening rod or a long screwdriver to compare different parts of the pump body, and the location with the loudest sound is closest to the fault source; The second is to record the operating conditions where abnormal noise occurs - only in the high vacuum section, only after oil unloading, or throughout the day, which correspond to completely different directions. Recording the operating conditions and checking them again is much more effective than simply saying 'there is noise'.
Cavitation is common when the working fluid temperature is high or the supply is insufficient. First, check the working fluid temperature and level, and then check whether the pipeline has air. Liquid impact is often caused by liquid intake. Check whether the separator liquid level and discharge are smooth. These two types of treatment are timely and the pump does not damage the muscles and bones.
Suggested processing sequence: first reduce the load and observe whether the abnormal noise is reduced, and confirm the correlation with the load; Check the working fluid circuit again, and verify the temperature, liquid level, and water quality; Finally, check the source of the liquid on the intake side, and remove the liquid from the separator discharge and low point accumulation in the pipeline one by one. The action of reducing load itself can prevent damage from expanding, and it should be done before all inspections.
It is not recommended to operate with defects after the occurrence of metal friction sound. Stop the machine, cut off the power and hang the tag. First, feel the resistance when turning the car, and then check the alignment of the coupling and the temperature rise of the bearing. The replacement of bearings should be carried out according to the model and spare parts, and attention should be paid to cleanliness during assembly. Any remaining foreign matter is equivalent to a white repair.
The sequence of shutdown inspection is shown in the following table:
| Steps | Check item | Key points for interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 disc car | Texture resistance and sticking point | Uniform tightness is normal, but if there is local jamming, it should be stopped |
| 2 Visually | Coupling elastic block, alignment mark | The direction of finding when the elastic block breaks or the marking is misplaced |
| 3 touch detection | Temperature traces and vibration residues on the bearing seat | Unilateral overheating points towards the bearing or alignment |
| 4 Disassembly | Directional dismantling and inspection based on the conclusion of the first three steps | Blindly dismantling everything can actually cover up the true cause |
Lubrication is carried out on a periodic basis, with regular checks of the center and proper maintenance of the intake filter. By doing these three things solidly, the probability of pump abnormal noise will be much lower. Record the handling of each abnormal noise in the ledger, and if there are repeated problems with the same pump, arrange for a major overhaul evaluation.
In preventive maintenance, centering and rechecking are the easiest to avoid - when the pump is running smoothly, no one wants to touch it. It is recommended to bind the centering verification to every bearing replacement or annual maintenance. Once it is bound, it will be done, and if it is not bound, it will always be "discussed next time".
Look at the type. The risk of intermittent underwater noise and load reduction observation overnight is not significant; Continuous metal friction noise is not recommended. Friction damage is cumulative, and overnight wear may turn bearing replacement into pump replacement. If you're not sure, reduce the load and listen to the sound for confirmation. If the metal sound characteristics are obvious, stop the machine on the spot.
The real reason is not in the bearing. Looking back at the alignment and pipeline stress: The inlet and outlet pipelines are hard holding the pump body, and the new bearings will soon make the same sound again. Before replacing the parts, it is necessary to conduct a thorough investigation in order to determine whether the replacement of spare parts is the conclusion or the starting point. If the order is reversed, rework will be carried out in this way.
An increase in abnormal noises during winter is common, but 'common' does not necessarily mean 'normal'. At low temperatures, the viscosity of the working fluid changes, pipeline condensation intensifies, and the probability of cavitation and other abnormal noises increases. These can be reduced by adjusting the operating conditions and heat tracing energy; Mechanical noise should be investigated in winter and summer, and mechanical problems should not be attributed to the season.
LuoyangWohong PetrochemicalEquipment Co., Ltd. provides supply, installation, and operation support for oil and gas recovery devices, and can assist in troubleshooting and developing preventive maintenance plans for vacuum pumps. Welcome to contact and exchange ideas.
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