Effects of Running Screw Pumps Dry

[760310]

Hi Colleagues,
With warm regards, I will like to know the possible effects of running screw/gear pumps dry. We had a terrible accident with one of our pumps transporting diesel.
Thank you.

 

[gr2vessels]

Running the screw pump dry will s..rew the pump. The gear flanks are hardened and are not resistant to the heat generated by the teeth rubbing against each other. If they are no longer lubricated by the process fluid (depending on materials and duration of running dry) the pump could be rapidly damaged beyond repair. If short run dry occurs, then you could experience some erosion (pitting) of the hardened surface. However, the same fate is only delayed, once the erosion process has started, the rapid degradation of the screw is unavoidable.
Sorry, not very good news...
Cheers,
gr2vessels