Nuclear Plant Journal, September-October 2015 NuclearPlantJournal.com
33
technology allows us to procure a new
casting in a fraction of the time versus the
standard wood pattern methods. While
providing an impeller may typically
take an OEM up to 30 weeks, using this
technology can often be accomplished
within 6-8 weeks depending on
complexity of the components and
metallurgy. What is more attractive are
the engineering benefits. With the 3D
printing of the molds, the geometry of the
hydraulic components is very consistent
to each other and the centerline. This
allows maximum efficiency and minimal
hydraulic imbalance, thus creating a
superior impeller. Also, with the appeal
of increased emergency power margin the
efficiency benefits are very attractive for
safety related applications.
The mechanism that determines the
need for refurbishment of pumps is wear
of close running clearance components.
In pumps, these components include
wear rings, bearings and shaft sleeves
for example. The mission becomes how
we can extend the life of these wear
components to increase the mean time
between repair. We utilize three unique
technologies to accomplish this:
Geometric optimization of wear
components relative to the centerline
of the pump
Minimizing running clearances to
the lowest acceptable amount
Optimizing the material of wear
surfaces to maintain their properties
for as long as possible
HydroAire’s focus during the
inspection phase of the repair is paying
attention to the surfaces that hold the
wear components. We incorporate in the
repair plan the methodology to ensure
concentricity,
perpendicularity
and
parallelism of these components; bearing
in mind that the surfaces that hold the
wear components are different from one
pump to another due to age and wear. The
difference in these surfaces necessitates
custom machining of these wear
components, implying that new OEM
finish machined parts will not allow the
optimized location of wear components.
Material optimization is another
area where HydroAire uses the latest
technology. For the stationary wear
parts, HydroAire works closely with
non-metallic material suppliers that have
materials that are specifically engineered
to handle wear and are non-galling versus
metallic components. There are a variety
of engineered plastics, each with its own
pros and cons. HydroAire engineers work
with these material suppliers to ensure
the correct material for each application.
For rotating surfaces, HydroAire
utilizes two technologies -- High Velocity
Oxyacetylene Fuel (HVOF) and Direct
Laser Deposition (DLD). HVOF provides
an extremely hard surface with minimal
heat input. A special tungsten powder
is injected into a special applicator. The
applicator is fed with oxyacetylene fuel
and melts the powder and propels the
molten metal at supersonic speed to
the part being applied. This technology
ensures the maximum bond strength and
density to the substrate. What’s left is a
very hard surface that combined with the
stationary material will provide a long
trouble free life and maximize mean time
between repair (MTBR). DLD uses a laser
to weld a hard material to the base metal.
Our engineers review the application to
determine the best suitable option.
Contact: Faisal Salman, HydroAire,
Inc., 834 West Madison Street, Chicago,
IL 60607; telephone: (312) 399-9913,
email:
HEPA Equipment Maintenance & TesƟng Services by
Be ready for your next outage!
Typically, the asset value of HEPA equipment at a UƟlity is in the range of $200K - $300K.
Outsourcing your portable HEPA equipment maintenance to
RPS reduces your costs, guarantees equipment reliability and
performance, and gives you control over your resources.
Have your portable HEPA equipment
inventoried, inspected, repaired, tested
and ready to go!
Maintenance Program Outline:
Phase 1:
EvaluaƟon of Equipment Inventory
Phase 3:
Program and Procedure Review
Phase 2:
HEPA Equipment Maintenance
Phase 4:
PracƟcal Engineering Controls Training
Tel: 860.445.0334 •
• Fax: 860.446.1876 • 24 Hour Emergency Hotline: 860.863.4545
