VTP Vertical Turbine Pump

Visual inspection of casing, impeller, wear-rings for rust, corrosion pitting, or graphite degradation. Measure corrosion depth; if >3.2mm (1/8 inch), recommend casing replacement. Verify material specification: seawater service requires bronze or duplex stainless steel, NOT cast iron.

Monthly systematic inspection: check for visible leakage at seal chamber, inspect seal faces for erosion/pitting, measure seal wear patterns. 3-monthly deep inspection during marine service. Perform freshwater flushing after seawater operation to eliminate salt crystallization deposits in cavity and seal reservoirs.

Daily watchkeeping: log flow rate, discharge pressure, vibration signature, and power consumption against baseline. Trends indicate developing problems before failure. Weekly rotation of standby marine pumps. Monitor for cavitation noise, abnormal bearings noise. Compare current parameters to manufacturer baseline at same operating point.

Verify motor-pump shaft alignment using dial indicators or laser alignment tools. Check bearing play and radial clearances. Measure vibration signature monthly using accelerometers at pump and motor bearings. Verify mounting bolts torque and foundation integrity. Document vibration baselines and trending for condition monitoring.

Measure internal clearances between rotating screws/gears and between rotors and casing using feeler gauges or internal micrometry. Verify minimum clearances per ASTM F1510-07 marine standard. Inspect for galling, scuffing, or dimensional wear on all rotating elements. Check pump discharge pressure against manufacturer performance curve - pressure drop indicates clearance growth.