My expertise is mainly with Segmental Ring Pumps, Ansi and Vertical Turbine Pumps.....Recently after rebuild a Peerless TUT 3 stage Horizontal split case pump ran about 2 weeks before the thrust bearing failed causing catastrophic damage. The thrust bearings are 2 angular contact bearings oil lubricated.

It is possible that on 2 or 3 occasions the pump experienced a loss of suction pressure.

At startup the pump ran very smooth no noise or vibration problems.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

PumpDoctor

Have you got any pictures of the bearing that you can share?

PumpDoc,
1. Does the pump have a thrust balancing piston and balancing line? Any possibility of flow restrictions in the line?
2. What sort of damage pattern did you see on the bearing(s)?
3. Under loss of suction conditions, can there be sharp (impact type) movements of the shaft?

Bearings are oil lubricated. Are oil rings also there? Any data available about oil or bearing temperature during running. How the bearing have been installed? Face to face , tandem or back to back (depending upon thrust direction)? Is it a case of reverse loading? Anybody noticed how the bearings were installed at the time of dismantling? May be a talk with the concerned technician who dismantled the bearings after the damage help resolve the matter. also pl. attach a picture of damaged bearing.