The objective of this article is to share industry experience related to the reliability challenges with vertically suspended molten sulfur pumps. Due to the operating temperatures and the unique chemical properties of sulfur, several operational and reliability challenges are inherently present across the industry.
To mitigate leakage, mechanical seals are one of the most critical components for centrifugal pumps.
The Shaybah NGL recovery plant has a single-stage, double-suction between bearings, radial-split design for hot oil circulation.
Shipping pumps with 1,800 hp are equipped with five cooling fans that cool the oil going to the lube oil pumps to lubricate the bearings.
This case study aims to provide the root cause analysis behind bearing failure of an induced (ID) fan at a new refinery startup in 2015.