If properly installed, a good vertical turbine pump can be expected to give you years of excellent service. With basic maintenance, you can easily get 10-15 years out of a pump, or possibly even more.
However, as with all things, it will wear down over time. After a while, you may start noticing problems with the pump, including:
- Cavitation
- Head pressure loss
- Excessive vibrations
- Lowered flow
These problems won’t go away on their own, and in all likelihood, performance will continue to decrease over time. However, there may be a solution that costs less than buying a new pump: rebowling.
How Rebowling Extends The Life Of An Older Turbine Pump
When a previously-reliable pump begins to underperform, the problem is often occurring within the bowl assembly. This is where the impellers are located. They can become worn down over time, due to weathering, corrosion, cavitation, or simply from extended use.
Worse, as the impellers become worn down and begin to behave improperly, the vibrations they create may damage the rest of the pump assembly, including the above-water equipment.
Fortunately, if the problem is caught early enough, rebowling may be an option. As the name suggests, this simply means replacing the existing bowl with a new one, including new impellers and shafts, while preserving the rest of the pumping system.
Rebowling an older turbine pump brings four major benefits, compared to a full pump replacement:
1 – No need to disrupt the rest of the pipe
In most cases, rebowling can be accomplished without moving or otherwise disrupting the rest of the pumping system, including the pipe and the discharge head. The bowl can be removed on its own.
2 – Potentially upgraded performance
Pumping technology continues to advance. The bowls and impellers being made today are substantially sturdier and energy-efficient than those being made 10-20 years ago. So, with a rebowling, you may end up with a turbine pump which is better than when it was first installed.
3 – Address process changes
Have there been changes to your pumping process or changes you’d like to make? This is an excellent opportunity to adjust the bowl and impellers to fit the new process.
4 – Save money
Rebowling is far less expensive than installing a new pump, and can add many new years of life to your pumping system.
FloRight Pump & Controls has the experience and expertise to handle your rebowling. If your pump is getting too old to function properly, contact us to make it flow right again!
