WorldWide Drilling Resource

12 OCTOBER 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Hydraulic Training by J. Eric Freimuth Hydraulic Training Associates Troubleshooting Tips - Part 2 We left off in our last article dis- cussing the strainer; and if the strainer is not covered at the proper depth, there is a danger of a vortex forming which may allow air to enter into the system when the pump is running. If cleaning the pump suction strainer does not correct the trouble, isolate the pump and relief valve from the rest of the circuit by disconnecting them so only the pump, relief valve, and pres- sure gauge remain in the system circuit. Cap or plug both ends of the dis- connected plumbing. The pump is now deadheaded into the relief valve. With the relief valve opened beyond spring tension, start the system and observe the gauge pressure as you begin turn- ing the relief valve in to increase resist- ance to flow. If full pressure can be developed, it is obvious the pump and relief are operating correctly and the trouble is to be found further down- stream. If full pressure cannot be developed in this test, further testing must be con- ducted to see whether the fault lies in the pump or in the relief valve. If possible, disconnect the reservoir return line from the relief valve and attach a short length of hose to the relief valve outlet. Hold the open end of this hose over the reservoir filler opening so the rate of oil flow can be observed. Again, with the relief backed out beyond the spring tension, start your system. Begin adjust- ing the relief valve in and out and ob- serve the flow coming out of the open end of the hose. If the pump is bad, there will probably be a full stream of oil when the relief valve adjustment is backed off, but this flow will diminish or stop as the adjustment is increased. If a flow meter is available, the flow can be measured and compared with the pump catalog rating. If a flow meter is not available, the rate of flow on a small pump can be measured by discharging the hose into a bucket while timing with the sweep- ing hand of a watch. For example, if a volume of 10 gallons is collected in 15 seconds, the pumping rate is 40 gallons per minute. Next month, we will continue with this discussion and move onto other components of a system. Eric Eric Freimuth may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com The December issue deadlines are: Space Reservation - October 25 th . Ad Copy - Display & Classified - November 1 st .