Posts by Houston Dynamic
Equipment Series: Rotary Valves
The following part of our Equipment Series centers on rotary valves. A rotary valve is a valve that uses rotation to allow passage and regulate the flow of liquid or gas through the attached outlets. The simplest example of a rotary valve is the common stopcock. Rotary valves are used to accomplish many different things,…
Read MoreEquipment Series: Compressors
In the second installment of our Equipment Series, we will be focusing on compressors. In a nut shell, compressors are devices that increase gas pressure by reducing its volume. They are similar to pumps because they are designed to use increased pressure to move media. However, compressors are generally associated with moving gaseous media, while…
Read MoreEquipment Series: Turbines
In the upcoming posts in our Equipment Series, we will be sharing information about the various types of machinery we work on at HDS, other than pumps. For a primer on the various pump types, visit our Blog. After pumps, one of the most common types of equipment brought in to HDS for repair are…
Read MoreMain Pump Types – Rotary
Continuing with our series on the main types of pumps, next in line is the second type of positive displacement pumps, which are rotary pumps. Both types of positive displacement pumps, reciprocating pumps and rotary, can be further divided into categories of commercial applications, and it is important to know what they are as well…
Read MoreMain Pump Types – Reciprocating, Diaphragm
In the next installment of our “equipment series”, we will discuss diaphragm pumps. A reciprocating pump uses positive displacment to move reciprocating (back and forth) parts through the use of a piston, diaphragm, and at times a plunger. While a piston uses an up and down motion, as seen in car engines, the diaphragm pump…
Read MoreMain Pump Types – Reciprocating Piston
In continuing with our series, Pumps 101, we are going to focus this entry on reciprocating piston pumps. Many pumps fall into the positive displacement arena, and they can generally be divided into two categories: reciprocating and rotary. Reciprocating pumps operate with the use of plungers, diaphragms, or pistons. Rotary pumps tend to use rotating…
Read MoreMain Pump Types – Displacement
We have previously discussed the basics of pumps including power, classification, and more. In continuing with the series, we are going to focus on one of the most commonly used types of pumps, the displacement pump. As they are the most popular, the focus will be on positive displacement pumps. These types of pumps are…
Read MorePump Basics
A simple definition of a pump is that it is a form of turbomachinery or a piece of equipment with a mechanism that transfers fluid or another form of media without any human effort. One of the most common types of pumps is the centrifugal pump, which transfers media using an engine, electric motor, or…
Read MoreMisalignment of the Pump Shaft – One of the Top Six Pump Vibration Problems
If your plant is being stretched to its financial limit, you may be looking for ways to simplify some of your processes and procedures. Replacement of underperforming equipment and other costly solutions aren’t always the answer, and sometimes going back to basics can be all you need. For instance, trouble-shooting the root cause of a…
Read MoreBent Pump Shafts – One of the Top Six Pump Vibration Problems
As part of our series on the top 6 pump vibration problems, we would like to focus on bent pump shafts. A bent pump shaft can occur as the result of damage during operation, rigging, improper configuration, or even shipping. There are straightening methods that can be properly applied to salvage damaged pump shafting, although…
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