PUMP ROOM INSTALLATION WORK
A TOTAL END TO END SOLUTIONS
Pothigai Engineering Works’ – PEW Pump room installation works are 100% custom built as per your exact requirements, design & as per site condition.
INSTALLING THE PUMP – CHILLED WATER & FIRE PUMPS
As per approved pump room shop drawings (Chilled water pump room layout or Fire pump room layout) we are installing and erecting the pumps and pipe routing with all necessary fittings, valves, insulation, vibration pad within time frame. With our highly experienced engineered team we are completing the pump room work in engineering manner and as per standards.
Every pump original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has its own requirements for its specific pump models and applications. The requirements to install a 60,000-horsepower (HP) boiler feed pump are different than those of a 300-HP American Petroleum Institute (API) pump or a 100-HP American National Standards Institute (ANSI) pump. Regardless of a pump’s horsepower, fluid properties, speed, physical geometry or energy level, all pump installations require some basic action steps from a well-thought-out checklist to yield a successful startup
When I have a field project to manage, I typically think of the phrase “begin with the end in mind” from Steven Covey’s book Seven Habits of Highly Successful People. If you imagine what a successful startup looks like, you can then evaluate the process backward and determine the steps that are required to achieve the goal.
While the sequence of required steps on the to-do list can be debated, most are self-evident. Depending on pump type, some of these steps may not be applicable. Details on how to perform these steps can be found in the manufacturer’s instruction and operating manual (IOM) and in books and technical papers on the subject.
Foundation
Foundations have become a frequent omission on new installations. Unfortunately, ignoring this step can lead to chronic misalignment issues from the driver to the pump and other potential problems. If you want to have a best-in-class operation that increases mean time between failures and repairs (MTBF/R) to more than five years, I highly recommend that you provide a proper foundation.
Industry rules of thumb for centrifugal pumps suggest that the foundation size should be three to five times the mass of the pump and driver combined.
Base Installation
Install the base on the foundation, and take steps to ensure that the base is flat and level. “Flat” is a condition (state) accomplished by the manufacturer and is difficult to properly measure in the field; however, you can ensure the foundation is flat by using a precision ground flat bar and feeler gauges. Using a level to check flatness is actually an incorrect method. The flatness specification will vary by manufacturer, application and base types.
“Level” is a condition that is adjusted and set in the field. It typically means less than 0.002 to 0.005 inches per foot in two directions. It is recommended to set the axial level first. If the unit is not level, the subsequent alignment processes will be laborious and likely incorrect. Many pumps require a specified state of level for the lubrication system to function correctly. Level is also a good practice from a rotor dynamics aspect.
Pump & Driver Installation
Install the pump and the driver (turbine/engine/motor) on the baseplate. Best practice usually calls for the pump to be placed directly on the base. Unless specified by the OEM design, it should not be shimmed.
Lubrication
Add the proper oil to the correct level in the pump bearing housing(s).
Initial Alignment Check
This step is often overlooked and can have negative consequences later if not conducted at this point. Once the base is grouted and/or the piping is installed, it may be too late to accomplish some simple machinery placement moves to achieve precision alignment.
Grouting the Base
Grouting is another step frequently omitted or performed incorrectly. If the grout is not added or if it does not make full contact with the base and foundation, the forces from pipe strain and machine vibrations cannot be successfully transmitted to the foundation. The top surface of the foundation and the underside of the baseplate must be properly prepared for the required grout/epoxy adhesion and bonding. Recheck the unit alignment after the grout process.
Piping Installation
Up to this point in the process, the piping installation should not be completed within 10 feet of the pump. The universal best practice and accepted method is to pipe away from the pump and not to the pump. This strategy will prevent any pipe strain on the pump. Someone once said, “A pump is the most expensive pipe support you can buy.”
Second Alignment Check
Now that the base is grouted and the piping is completed, the alignment is likely moved off the specification. Recheck the alignment and correct as necessary. This is also a good time to conduct a quick and easy check for the presence of excessive pipe strain. Place your dial indicators or laser units on the pump drive hub in two planes (vertical and horizontal). Then completely loosen the discharge flange bolts. If the pump hub/coupling moves more than 0.002 inches in any direction, the strain is too high. Repeat the process for the suction pipe. Correct the excessive strain before proceeding to the next step.
Rotation Direction
Conduct a rotational check of the driver and, if applicable, determine the rotor electrical center (running center). Failure to check the direction of rotation can have serious and expensive consequences. I see this mistake frequently despite instructions to the contrary. Rotors on larger motors with sleeve-type bearings will have both an electrical center and a mechanical center. You will need to determine both and record the results. If your unit has bearings of this type, then this step may be better conducted prior to the second alignment adjustment. Your supplier can provide more details.
Settings
Check the pump settings, including impeller axial adjustments, clearances, mechanical seal settings, rotor centralization, balance drum settings and bearing lift. Verify the unit rotates freely.
Ancillary Equipment
Install ancillary equipment, including seal flush systems, cooling/heating equipment and monitoring devices.
Coupling Installation
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, and pay special attention to the key-to-keyway fits. Note that the pump and driver hubs should be installed sooner than this step.
Pre-Startup Check & Startup Procedure
Fill and vent the pump and system. Check the system valve “lineup.” Review and verify the preceding steps were accomplished. Remember, you cannot vent a running pump; the fluid will come out, but the air trapped in the center of the machine will remain. The fluid has more mass and will be flung to the outside.
Start the unit. Be prepared to stop the unit immediately if anything does not seem right. Check for proper pressures, flows, temperature of oil and bearings, vibrations, and noise. It is good practice to recheck the alignment after the pump has been operating for a short time. If the pumped fluid is very hot (above 200 F), it is also good practice to perform a “hot alignment check.”
INSTALATION PROCEDURE
The following procedure shall be followed for the installation of pumps at pump room (Chilled water & Fire pump).
- Before installing the pumps, we Pothigain’s visually inspecting the exterior casing of the chilled water pumps for any damages during transporting and transferring the units.
- We ensure that the installation of the pumps is carried out in accordance with manufactures installation recommendations and specifications. And referring the approved shop drawing related to the area of installation and ensure that required material is available at site as per approved material submittal.
- Checking the Equipment weight to ensure that the rigging equipment can handle the safely.
- The foundation – Inertia base of the pump shall be checked for dimensions, location, orientation and the level.
- Inertia base foundation for pumps shall be mounted on the springs which rests on the floor foundation. First the location of the vibration isolator shall be marked on the ground base. The vibration spring isolators shall be fixed on the marked locations for all equipment.
- The above fabricated inertia base shall be placed on the isolators spring after making sure that the inertia base has been properly seated on springs. Pumps shall be installed on the positioned inertia base as shown on the approved shop drawings and level be made by using the sprit level.
- After leveling the pump, the base bolts of the pump will be tightened. It shall be ensured that the pumps & motors are properly installed with no pipe strain, transmitted the pump casing.
- After completion of installing the pumps the same shall be made ready for inspection.
- Installation of pipes, valves, insulation and other accessories shall be done as per approved method statement and as per approved shop drawings.
- Electrical power and control wiring and earthling shall be carried out as detailed in respective approved electrical shop drawings and as per the recommendation of manufactures.