Bump Testing Equipment With Gas Seals

[HoustonMechEngr]

I have various equipment on-site in terms of pumps and blowers that are fitted with DGS technology. Is it acceptable to perfrom a "bump" test on my motor with the machine coupled up if my equipment is fitted with dry gas seals? I have the ability to feed pressure to the seal assemblies during the "bump" testing, but I was curious what thoughts were in terms of potential face damage even if only executed for a very short period of time.

 

[JJPellin]

I would not recommend it. It might not cause immediate seal failure, but it could very well shorten the life of the seal. In fact, I would not bump any motor for rotation coupled up to any pump, regardless of the type of seal used. I might be overly cautious in this regard. But, the time to drop out a coupling spacer and put it back in is not a large investment in our facility. We always uncouple to verify rotation.

Johnny Pellin

 

[1gibson]

Yeah, to me a bump test is uncoupled, to check rotation before coupling so you don't damage equipment by running it backwards.

What do you hope to accomplish?