Performance Test of Split Case Pump for Oil & Gas Client

The 3 tonne Weir Medivane 10/12” ZSB Split case pump  had undergone a  refurbishment by the Manufacturer and Pump Group were contacted to carry out full performance testing prior to re-installation offshore.

The unit is used on Sea Water Injection (SWI) application on a North Sea platform and had been removed as part of a maintenance programme following experiencing problems with the cooling for the bearings/thrust pad.The unit had been fully refurbished and was scheduled to be departing Aberdeen Terminal on a specific ship in order to meet the production requirements of the platform.

Pump Group  were initially given a 2 week window in which to facilitate the testing of the pump (including the fabrication of high pressure pipework & manufacturing of a coupling hub to fit the tapered pump shaft) which was subsequently reduced to less than a week.

Pump Group Test Engineers had been in constant dialogue with the Clients’ Engineering Focal Point contact as the potential testing window shrank, and by the time it was made  apparent that the pump would only have a few days in Manchester for testing, all of the details necessary to have all of the necessary pipework/couplings manufactured had been taken.

A counterflow heat exchanger was sourced to cool the oil during the 8 hour endurance test, and fittings were manufactured by Pump Group in-house to enable a seal flush system to be connected to the seal.

The pump arrived on overnight transport from Aberdeen, the unit was set up in the Performance Test Cell (including hydrostatic pressure testing of the bearing lube oil system), LASER aligned and a preliminary test run was carried out prior to a representative from the client flying in on to witness the endurance test.

The pump was ran for 8 hours, with bearing temperatures recorded throughout the duration of the test & condition monitoring results were taken several times using Pruftechnik VibXpert II system during the test to identify any vibration trends developing.

Following the successful endurance test, the unit was removed from the Test Cell at 16.00, drained of all liquids and despatched that evening on overnight carrier for immediate delivery to Aberdeen. The completed oil cooling system & seal flush pipework was then connected & the pump was shipped offshore on Monday AM.

For more information on how we can utilise our extensive workshop and testing facilities to assist your company with your operational needs, please contact a member of our Test Department on +44 (0)161 864 4678 or via email repairs@pumpgroup.co.uk.