Industrial Pump Systems: Repair or Replace?

4 November 2015
 Categories: , Blog


There are various types of industrial pumps and systems that are essential in refinery, power generation, mining, water treatment and manufacturing industries. A well engineered and properly installed pump is one of the most reliable and trouble-free pieces of equipment in every industry. However, just like any other equipment, pumps are meant to suffer mechanical malfunction at some point. When this happens, the question of whether to repair or replace the pump is inevitable. There are various factors that can be used as a guiding factor to pump repairs or replacement. These include the following.

Corresponding cost

One of the most important considerations when deciding whether to repair or replace pumps and pumping systems is the corresponding cost. As a rule of the thumb, if the total cost of repairs exceeds half the price of a new one, or the cost of a new pump is lower, it is worth purchasing a new one. This is because mechanical problems are bound to arise again. If this happens, a second repair will cost you the total price of a new pump. However, if the cost of pump repairs is not as substantial, you can go with this option.

Effect on production

The disruptions caused due to breakdown of a pump should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to repair or replace it. The significance of the pump in the production process will determine the verdict. If the pump is very critical in production and the repair is costly in terms of downtime due to a long repair period, it is worth replacing it with a new one. While repair costs may be low, you may lose a lot in terms of production. For non-critical pumps, you can choose to have them repaired.

Energy efficiency

Advancement in technology has led to the manufacture of new industrial pumps that save on energy costs while increasing efficiency. If you are using an inefficient old model pump that significantly increases energy costs, you should consider replacing it with a modern high-efficiency and energy-saving model.

Availability of spare parts

Some manufactures make spare-kits for their pumps while others do not. In other instances, pumps may be imported and spares not available in the local country. The option of whether to repair or replace will be greatly influenced by the availability of spare parts. If they are readily available in the same model and configurations, you can go for pump repairs; otherwise, replacing the pump would be a more suitable option.

When deciding whether to replace or repair industrial pumps, it is important to consider the configuration of the entire pumping system. In some instances, older models of pumping systems may be incompatible with new model pumps. In such a case, you will be required to repair the existing pump or replace the entire pumping system with a newer configuration.

For more information on pump repairs, contact professionals and visit websites like www.globalrewinds.com.au.


Share