I have heard of the VS coupling and the KS coupling. It is an electrical componenet which is installed between the motor and the pump. I have seen it being used during start up of the slurry pump. They keep the speed minimum thus increasing the torque and reducing the power required for start...
answer to your post is "cannot say". the efficiency of the pump - of course cannot be improved beyond the design point, but you cannot judge from its' age. it is how the pump was operated and maintained during its' life that matters the most. a review of its' history will give the...
the advantages of having oil supply point in the center is that it enables easy spread of the oil throughout the journal area and the oil wedge - an important phenomenon in journal bearing lubrication, is effectively formed if oil is let from the top.
cheers.
nagaraj.r