Dear Vib Friend,

I've been monitoring a small HP motor and pump for cooling of Turbine and Recip Comp. This Cooling Water pump unit is vertically mounted and motor is sit on top of the pump. The motor weight i believe quite heavy for the pump and a stand.

The question is, what are the main item to know if we want to redesign this configuration to horizontal configuration e.g; flow, space,rated specs...etc

The challenges are:
1-vertically mounted and thus giving lot of bearing failure
2-space constraint - not easy if just to 'turn' the unit to horizontal, block by a piping.

Appreciate on your input.

I would fix what have or attempt to without re-inventing the wheel.

1.) Pipe supports and no thermal growth or stresses from the piping into the pump.
2.) Check fit of mating flanges Mtr to Pmp ensuring concentric, round and flat. Ensure fit = alignment.
3.) A photo would help!
4.) A spring loaded support/assist from mounting flanges.
5.) Change to aluminum frame motor if a suitable replacement.

If none of this makes sense; add photo. Or, kindly disregard.

Turning a machine on its side seems like a pretty drastic change requiring a lot of effort and introducing a lot of potential for problems. Are the thrust bearings able to cope with being loaded? What will shaft deflection look like when machine weight is pushing perpendicular to the shaft instead of parallel? etc. Will the lubrication pattern and seals be disrupted when you turn the machine on its side?

Also, before major changes, it is productive to make sure you are going after the right problem.