Improve pump performance and energy efficiency with Loctite coatings

Loctite adhesives from Henkel can improve the performances of pumps.

Nearly every business, municipality, school and home uses pumps. Yet pumps are often left alone and forgotten about until they need attention. This usually shows itself in increasing bearing noise, sudden increase in vibration or pumping output dropping by 25 per cent or more. The untimely failure of a pump can lead to astronomical costs.

But using the right industrial adhesives and sealants – like Henkel Corporation’s Loctite brand – can save money and energy in the long run.

A recent case

A water treatment facility required major midlife service on its pumps, which had been in service for 19 years. The facility developed a project for the sequential overhaul of the pumps, motors, driveshafts, and discharge check valves over a year.

The project managers recognized the potential to reduce total ownership costs by reducing energy consumption while completing this major overhaul project. A major focus of the energy savings was to incorporate a low-resistance, extremely durable ceramic epoxy coating on the interior flow surfaces of the pump. These coatings are proven technology to lower energy consumption by reducing flow friction, as well as extending pump life by reducing corrosion and erosion of interior surfaces.

The pump work included:

• Pump casing: Sandblasting of both interior and exterior. The interior of the volute was then coated with one coat of a Loctite Nordbak Blue Brushable Ceramic coating, and a second coat of Loctite Nordbak Gray Brushable Ceramic coating was applied over the top of the Blue.
• Impeller: The original impeller was sandblasted and coated with two coats of Loctite Nordbak Brushable Ceramic Coatings (Gray over Blue, as was done on the volute interior). The impeller assembly (impeller, key, shaft and nut) was made using Loctite 243 and 263 threadlockers for proper fit. This technique is done to prevent movement and potential vibration sources and to ensure no corrosion occurs between the threads should future work on the pump be required.

Performance and energy improvements

Following the implementation, test results showed an average efficiency improvement of six per cent and significant improvements in both pump head/flow and maximum flow rates.

Loctite high-performance adhesives, sealants and dispensing/curing systems are available from Henkel Corporation. To learn more, contact Henkel.

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