Progressing Cavity Pump Troubleshooting Guide

08 November 2019

Progressing Cavity Pump Troubleshooting Guide

If you are experiencing issues with your Progressing Cavity Pump, the below guide can help you
diagnose any issues, or speak to one of our Technical Sales Engineers for further assistance:

Problem Possible Cause Remedy

    Adhesion between Stator and
    Rotor due to prolonged period of  
  Rotor & Stator Adhesion. inactivity. Lubricate rotor and
  stator with glycerin, or inert oil.
  Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
Pump Will not Start on outlet
Blockage Open inspection port to remove
solids, if not possible to remove
all,   disassemble pump and clean
Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
stator are minute. If fluid is outside
pump design range, stator will
suffer thermal expansion and burn
against the   rotor
Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
Reduce pump speed or install filter
on suction
Sedimentation / During inactivity sendimentation
Crystallization or crystallization is occurring.
Flush   pump, disassemble and
clean
 Frozen Fluid Temperature is too low with fluid
freezing within pump. Ensure
pump is   protected from elements,
drain when not in use or install
trace heating.
Stator Incompatible with Check chemical compatibility
fluid
Incorrect pump speed Check pump speed. Verify power
absorbed, frequency, voltage and
rpm.
Viscosity too high Check against original pump
specification
Gland Packing Gland packing worn too tight and
requires loosening
Inverter Settings Check starting torque of motor is
correct as on initial startup power  
absorbed can be high
  Blockage Open inspection port to remove
  solids, if not possible to remove
  all, disassemble   pump and clean
  Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
  stator are minute. If fluid is outside
  pump design range, stator will
  suffer thermal expansion and burn
  against the   rotor
  Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
  Reduce pump speed or install filter
  on suction
  Sedimentation / During inactivity sendimentation
  Crystallization or crystallization is occurring.  
  Flush pump, disassemble and clean
  Air Ingress Air Ingress through Seal or inlet
  pipework. Refit/replace seal.  
  Tighten bolts on joints.
  Frozen Fluid Temperature is too low with fluid
Pump not creating suction freezing within pump. Ensure
pump is   protected from elements,
drain when not in use or install
trace heating.
Suction Head too high Check inlet pressure, check inlet
filter, check suction line is fully  
open.
Low Pump Speed Pump speed too low for low
viscosity fluids, and amounts to
transfer   too large.
High Pump Speed Pump speed too high with viscous
 liquid. Risk of cavitation
Direction of rotation Check direction of rotation is inline
with arrow on name plate. Check  
drive coupling
NPSH Check NPSHA meets NPSHR.
Increase fluid level, lower
viscosity,   increase pipe suction
diameter, reduce pump speed
Dry Running Partially or fully running dry.
Install dry protection probe
Stator Worn Replace
Rotor Worn Replace
High Viscosity Check against pump specification
Gland Packing Gland packing worn too tight and
requires loosening
  Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
  on outlet
  Blockage Open inspection port to remove
  solids, if not possible to remove
  all,   disassemble pump and clean
  Air Ingress Air Ingress through Seal or inlet
  pipework. Refit/replace seal.  
  Tighten bolts on joints.
  Suction Head too high Check inlet pressure, check inlet
  filter, check suction line is fully  
  open.
  Air Pockets Air pockets within fluid. Check
  system. Slow pump, increase level
Flow Rate Incorrect of   fluid in tank, or deepen suction
pipework.
Low Pump Speed Pump speed too low for low
viscosity fluids, and amounts to
transfer   too large.
Dry Running Partially or fully running dry.
Install dry protection probe
Stator Worn Replace
Rotor Worn Replace
Transmission Broken or Check and repair where needed
Faulty
Incorrect pump speed Check pump speed. Verify power
absorbed, frequency, voltage and
rpm.
High Viscosity Check against pump specification
 Gland Packing Gland packing worn too tight and
requires loosening
Mechanical Seal Check seal faces for wear. Check
seal compression. Replace worn
items.  
Seal System Pump Seal System is unsuitable
and requires changing.
  Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
  on outlet
  Air Ingress Air Ingress through Seal or inlet
  pipework. Refit/replace seal.  
  Tighten bolts on joints.
  Suction Head too high Check inlet pressure, check inlet
  filter, check suction line is fully  
Uneven Flow open.
Air Pockets Air pockets within fluid. Check
system. Slow pump, increase level
of   fluid in tank, or deepen suction
pipework.
High Pump Speed Pump speed too high with viscous
liquid. Risk of cavitation
Dry Running Partially or fully running dry.
Install dry protection probe
Stator Worn Replace
Rotor Worn Replace
High Viscosity Check against pump specification
  Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
  Reduce pump speed or install filter
  on suction
  Air Ingress Air Ingress through Seal or inlet
  pipework. Refit/replace seal.  
  Tighten bolts on joints.
  Suction Head too high Check inlet pressure, check inlet
  filter, check suction line is fully  
  open.
  High Pump Speed Pump speed too high with viscous
  liquid. Risk of cavitation
  NPSH Check NPSHA meets NPSHR.
Excessive Pump Vibration Increase fluid level, lower
viscosity,   increase pipe suction
diameter, reduce pump speed
Drive Shaft Verify drive shaft movement.
Transmission bush may be fitted  
 incorrectly
Stator Worn Replace
Rotor Worn Replace
Transmission Broken or Check and repair where needed
Faulty
Bearings Worn Replace Bearings
Incorrect pump speed Check pump speed. Verify power
absorbed, frequency, voltage and
rpm.
  Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
  on outlet
  Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
  Reduce pump speed or install filter
  on suction
  Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
  stator are minute. If fluid is outside
  pump design range, stator will
  suffer thermal expansion and burn
  against the   rotor
Pump Seized or Stopped Blockage Open inspection port to remove
pumping solids, if not possible to remove
all,   disassemble pump and clean
Sedimentation / During inactivity sendimentation
Crystallization or crystallization is occurring.  
Flush pump, disassemble and clean
Drive Shaft Verify drive shaft movement.
Transmission bush may be fitted  
incorrectly
Dry Running Partially or fully running dry.
Install dry protection probe
Stator Worn Replace
Rotor Worn Replace
Transmission Broken or Check and repair where needed
Faulty
Bearings Worn Replace Bearings
High Viscosity Check against pump specification
  Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
  on outlet
  Blockage Open inspection port to remove
  solids, if not possible to remove
  all,   disassemble pump and clean
 Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
stator are minute. If fluid is outside
pump design range, stator will
suffer thermal expansion and burn
against the   rotor
Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
Reduce pump speed or install filter
on suction
Sedimentation / During inactivity sendimentation
Crystallization or crystallization is occurring.  
Flush pump, disassemble and clean
Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
stator are minute. If fluid is outside
pump design range, stator will
suffer thermal expansion and burn
against the   rotor
Suction Head too high Check inlet pressure, check inlet
  filter, check suction line is fully  
  open.
 
High Pump Speed Pump speed too high with viscous
 
liquid. Risk of cavitation
 
NPSH Check NPSHA meets NPSHR.
 
Increase fluid level, lower
 
viscosity,   increase pipe suction
 
diameter, reduce pump speed
Stator Damage
Dry Running Partially or fully running dry.
Install dry protection probe
Stator Worn Replace
Stator Incompatible with Check chemical compatibility
fluid
Incorrect pump speed Check pump speed. Verify power
absorbed, frequency, voltage and
rpm.
  Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
  on outlet
  Blockage Open inspection port to remove
  solids, if not possible to remove
  all,   disassemble pump and clean
  Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
  Reduce pump speed or install filter
  on suction
  Sedimentation / During inactivity sendimentation
  Crystallization or crystallization is occurring.  
Rotor Damage Flush pump, disassemble and clean
 Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
stator are minute. If fluid is outside
pump design range, stator will
suffer thermal expansion and burn
against the   rotor
High Pump Speed Pump speed too high with viscous
liquid. Risk of cavitation
NPSH Check NPSHA meets NPSHR.
Increase fluid level, lower
viscosity,   increase pipe suction
diameter, reduce pump speed
Rotor Worn Replace
Rotor Incompatible with Check chemical compatibility
fluid
Incorrect pump speed Check pump speed. Verify power
absorbed, frequency, voltage and
rpm.
  Blockage Open inspection port to remove
  solids, if not possible to remove
  all,   disassemble pump and clean
  Solid Size Solid size is too large for pump.
  Reduce pump speed or install filter
  on suction
  Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
  stator are minute. If fluid is outside
  pump design range, stator will
Seal Leakage suffer thermal expansion and burn
against the   rotor
High Pump Speed Pump speed too high with viscous
liquid. Risk of cavitation
Direction of rotation Check direction of rotation is inline
with arrow on name plate. Check  
drive coupling
High Viscosity Check against pump specification
Gland Packing Gland packing worn too tight and
requires loosening
Mechanical Seal Check seal faces for wear. Check
seal compression. Replace worn
items.  
Seal System Pump Seal System is unsuitable
and requires changing.
  Adhesion between Stator Adhesion between Stator and
  and Rotor Rotor due to prolonged period of  
  inactivity. Lubricate rotor and
  stator with glycerine, or inert oil.
   Increase pump size or motor size.
    Excess Pressure on Outlet Change piping configuration /
  system   set up to reduce pressure
Drive Motor Generating on outlet
Heat Fluid Temperature Clearances between rotor and
stator are minute. If fluid is outside
pump design range, stator will
suffer thermal expansion and burn
against the   rotor
Incorrect pump speed Check pump speed. Verify power
absorbed, frequency, voltage and
rpm.
Gland Packing Gland packing worn too tight and
requires loosening
Insufficient Pressure Stator Worn Replace
Rotor Worn Replace