White Rock Engineering Services offers a reciprocating positive displacement pump testing / diagnostic service with direct readout of pump performance and piping system response to determine the root cause of any Reciprocating Pump System Problem. Expensive and inappropriate solutions may result if not diagnosed properly. Analysis of the pump and system performance is based on 30 years of reciprocating pump, computer data acquisition, and pumping system analysis experience. Root causes of the potential system problems are discussed throughout this section. Observed operations and recommendations for improvement are discussed upon completion and presented in a comprehensive report within a few weeks. The initial field survey can usually be completed in one working day with good planning ahead of time. One additional day required if Wave Blockers (orifice plates) are to be evaluated. Final analysis and report submitted within one to two weeks.

Portable field equipment consisting of a Personal Computer with data-acquisition hardware and appropriate pressure transducers provides live readings of system pressures. These readings are recorded for later analysis and presentation.

The use of a high speed Personal Computer based data-acquisition system removes all doubt from the recording of random or short-duration pressure pulses such as cavitation spikes. The subtle pulses are important in the interpretation of pump and system performance. Obtaining simultaneous hydraulic pressure data on up to 10 locations is extremely important. Relating the dynamic characteristics at one point in the system to event-related characteristics in another is determined. Comparing different pressure traces allows the correlation of hydraulic pressure disturbances in the system to a definite pump phenomenon such as flow variation, valve openings and closures (acceleration induced pressure spikes), cavitation and system hydraulic resonance.

Although not normally necessary, systems can be monitored over an extended time. Gradual system or pump changes can be detected by utilizing the trigger mode on the data acquisition system. This is particularly important in multiple pump installations where pumps can get in phase or in cyclic operations such as hydraulic press operations, etc.

In preparation for a pressure survey, considerable time can be saved by pre-planned installation of pressure taps. A drawing of the pumping system from the client is used to plan the location of the system tap points for pressure transducers.