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The article focuses on the objective of this article is to share industry experience related to the reliability challenges with vertically suspended molten sulfur pumps. It mentions that the following will discuss common pump field troubles reported by operations, pump failure modes, and case studies that demonstrate typical failure modes and mechanisms.

The article focuses on troubleshooting the repetitive failure and shaft seizure of a hot oil circulation pump at Shaybah natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery plant in Saudi Arabia. Topics discussed include inadequate lubrication appeared to be related to an improper oil level in the bearing housing; thrust setting or axial float identified as an improvement area to reduce the operating temperatures of the thrust bearings and improper mounting or installation of non-drive end bearings.

The article discusses the reasons for high vibration and noise of the cooler fans installed in shipping pumps that cool the oil going to the lube oil pumps to lubricate the bearings. Topics discussed include misalignment of the shafts and the coupling which may result in an out-of-balance force, impact of poor installation of electrical motors and coupling alignments, and inefficient long-term and vendor storage procedures.

The article examines the mechanical non-drive-end (NDE) seal failure of a high-pressure water pump that was commissioned in July 2015. Topics discussed include the role of mechanical seals in centrifugal pumps, NDE seal plan selection, water analysis and seal chamber pressure, and noise caused by installing the orifices in the wrong direction.

The article presents an analysis on bearing failure on an induced draft fan in a petroleum facility. It states that ID fan has an nondrive end (NDE) self-aligning double ball bearing, and mentions that the unit was started at zero inlet guide vanes (iGVs) and openings, and gradually increased. It notes that abnormal bearing noise was observed from the fan's NDE bearing during operation, and cites that the motor driver must be checked for incorrect coupling installation.