mud pump maintenance training brands

The goal of the Sulzer Academy for pumps and systems is to enhance the know-how and further develop the competencies of participants so they can react in time to changing demands and situations within their plants. With increased pump system knowledge, operators can make quick and informed decisions which can prolong the life of the equipment and maximize productivity from the system.

Project specific training can be adapted to suit the equipment and systems at site, and can range from detailed operational training on a newly supplied pump, to bespoke training on a certain product range, or even clarifying hydraulic principals to assist system designers.

Many things go into getting the most life out of your mud pump and its components — all important to extend the usage of this vital piece of equipment on an HDD jobsite. Some of the most important key points are covered below.

The most important thing you can do is service your pump, per the manufacturer’s requirements. We get plenty of pumps in the shop for service work that look like they have been abused for years without having basic maintenance,  such as regular oil changes. You wouldn’t dream of treating your personal vehicle like that, so why would you treat your pump like that.

Check the oil daily and change the oil regularly. If you find water or drilling mud contamination in the oil, change the oil as soon as possible. Failure to do so will most likely leave you a substantial bill to rebuild the gear end, which could have been avoided if proper maintenance procedures would have been followed. Water in the oil does not allow the oil to perform correctly, which will burn up your gear end. Drilling mud in your gear end will act as a lapping compound and will wear out all of the bearing surfaces in your pump. Either way it will be costly. The main reasons for having water or drilling mud in the gear end of your pump is because your pony rod packing is failing and/or you have let your liners and pistons get severely worn. Indication of this is fluid that should be contained inside the fluid end of your pump is now moving past your piston and spraying into the cradle of the pump, which forces its way past the pony rod packing. Pony rod packing is meant to keep the oil in the gear end and the liner wash fluid out of the gear end. Even with brand new packing, you can have water or drilling fluid enter the gear end if it is sprayed with sufficient force, because a piston or liner is worn out.

There is also usually a valve on the inlet of the spray bar. This valve should be closed enough so that liner wash fluid does not spray all over the top of the pump and other components.

Liner wash fluid can be comprised of different fluids, but we recommend just using clean water. In extremely cold conditions, you can use RV antifreeze. The liner wash or rod wash system is usually a closed loop type of system, consisting of a tank, a small pump and a spray bar. The pump will move fluid from the tank through the spray bar, and onto the inside of the liner to cool the liner, preventing scorching. The fluid will then collect in the bottom of the cradle of the pump and drain back down into the collection tank below the cradle and repeat the cycle. It is important to have clean fluid no matter what fluid you use. If your liners are leaking and the tank is full of drilling fluid, you will not cool the liners properly — which will just make the situation worse. There is also usually a valve on the inlet of the spray bar. This valve should be closed enough so that liner wash fluid does not spray all over the top of the pump and other components. Ensure that the water is spraying inside the liner and that any overspray is not traveling out of the pump onto the ground or onto the pony rod packing where it could be pulled into the gear end. If the fluid is spraying out of the cradle area and falling onto the ground, it won’t be long before your liner wash tank is empty. It only takes a minute without the cooling fluid being sprayed before the liners become scorched. You will then need to replace the pistons and liners, which is an avoidable costly repair. Make a point to check the liner wash fluid level several times a day.

Drilling fluid — whether pumping drilling mud, straight water or some combination of fluid — needs to be clean. Clean meaning free of solids. If you are recycling your fluid, make sure you are using a quality mud recycling system and check the solids content often throughout the day to make sure the system is doing its job. A quality mud system being run correctly should be able to keep your solids content down to one quarter of 1 percent or lower. When filling your mud recycling system, be sure to screen the fluid coming into the tanks. If it is a mud recycling system, simply make sure the fluid is going over the scalping shaker with screens in the shaker. If using some other type of tank, use an inline filter or some other method of filtering. Pumping out of creeks, rivers, lakes and ponds can introduce plenty of solids into your tanks if you are not filtering this fluid. When obtaining water out of a fire hydrant, there can be a lot of sand in the line, so don’t assume it’s clean and ensure it’s filtered before use.

Cavitation is a whole other detailed discussion, but all triplex pumps have a minimum amount of suction pressure that is required to run properly. Make sure this suction pressure is maintained at all times or your pump may cavitate. If you run a pump that is cavitating, it will shorten the life of all fluid end expendables and, in severe cases, can lead to gear end and fluid end destruction. If the pump is experiencing cavitation issues, the problem must be identified and corrected immediately.

The long and the short of it is to use clean drilling fluid and you will extend the life of your pumps expendables and downhole tooling, and keep up with your maintenance on the gear end of your pump. Avoid pump cavitation at all times. Taking a few minutes a day to inspect and maintain your pump can save you downtime and costly repair bills.

Graduates of the program have found that their newly improved maintenance skills have extended the life of the fluid ends on their site. Beyond increasing lifespan, customers have also seen benefits in the form of lower repair costs, decreased production costs and a reduction in workplace hazards.

Pump University’s knowledgeable instructors teach customers valuable maintenance tips through workbooks, visual presentations and hands-on training. Each three hour class can accommodate 10 to 15 employees. The classes are designed for drilling hands, but engineers and other employees have found value in the courses. Many participants find that these courses teach them about expendables as well as fluid ends.

Pump University participants receive a certificate upon completion of the program. The certification verifies Pump U graduates are equipped with the most up-to-date knowledge of fluid end maintenance practices.

Pump University is just one part of GD Energy Products’ continually growing service options. GD Energy Products makes the most durable pumps and fluid ends in the industry, and proper maintenance training ensures customers can maximize the life of their GD Energy Products products while minimizing costly downtime.

The 2,200-hp mud pump for offshore applications is a single-acting reciprocating triplex mud pump designed for high fluid flow rates, even at low operating speeds, and with a long stroke design. These features reduce the number of load reversals in critical components and increase the life of fluid end parts.

The pump’s critical components are strategically placed to make maintenance and inspection far easier and safer. The two-piece, quick-release piston rod lets you remove the piston without disturbing the liner, minimizing downtime when you’re replacing fluid parts.

A comprehensive range of mud pumping, mixing, and processing equipment is designed to streamline many essential but time-consuming operational and maintenance procedures, improve operator safety and productivity, and reduce costly system downtime.

Learning about the operation and maintenance of any important asset is the first step in optimizing its performance and reliability. This task is made easier when the participants have the opportunity to get a hands-on training for pumps and inspect the components in person. Sulzer’s training courses give customers the opportunity to gather essential information and knowledge from industry experts.

Pump training courses can include many aspects, from operation and maintenance to design and rerates; every aspect can be tailored to individual requirements. As a major pump original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and independent maintenance provider, Sulzer combines expertise and experience in its flexible and dynamic training courses.

The training seminars focus on the issues and concerns that are prominent in many industrial sectors. They can help companies to meet the demands for increased efficiency and availability as well as addressing any safety matters.

Typically planned over four days, the Sulzer Academy delivers training seminars that can include participants from different employers but with similar backgrounds and operational environments. Discussing many topics from basic principles to root cause analysis and operational challenges, courses are designed to share knowledge and expertise to the benefit of all involved.

Companies send operators and maintenance engineers to Sulzer locations for training by experts in pump design and operation. Through better understanding of pumps and their role in the wider process operations, it is possible to improve the availability, efficiency and costs associated with pump performance.

Sulzer is a global leader in fluid engineering. We specialize in pumping, agitation, mixing, separation and application technologies for fluids of all types. Our customers benefit from our commitment to innovation, performance and quality and from our responsive network of 50 world-class manufacturing facilities and 100 service centers across the globe. Sulzer has been headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland, since 1834. In 2018, our 15’500 employees delivered revenues of CHF 3.4 billion.

Triplex plunger-type mud pumps feature a reciprocating, positive displacement pump design utilizing three plungers to safely transfer high-viscosity fluids under high pressure over an extended depth. Although they have many industrial applications, these pumps have become an essential part of oil well drilling rigs where they’re used to provide smooth discharge of mud and debris from oil wells.

In addition to their use in drilling and well service operations, mud pumps are also frequently used to handle corrosive or abrasive fluids, as well as slurries containing relatively large particulates, in applications like commercial car washes, wastewater treatment, cementing, and desalination operations.

DAC Worldwide’s Representative Triplex, Plunger Mud Pump Dissectible (295-418) is an economical, conveniently-sized triplex plunger-type mud pump assembly that teaches learners hands-on maintenance activities commonly required on larger mud pump assemblies used in upstream oilfield production operations.

For example, mud pump assembly is used on well sites maintain downhole backpressure, to lubricate the rotating drill bit, and to help recycle and remove rock debris resulting from drilling activities. These heavy-duty, high-pressure pumps require regular refurbishment, inspection, and repair in the field.

DAC Worldwide’s dissectible mud pump assembly is a realistic sample that’s similar in geometry, design, and operating characteristics to the larger varieties learners will encounter on the job. DAC Worldwide chooses popular name-brand pumps for its dissectibles to ensure industrial and oil and gas training relevancy.

Using the dissectible mud pump, learners will gain hands-on experience with the operating principles, regular maintenance activities, and nomenclature/parts identification at a more convenient scale in the classroom or lab.

Technical training is most effective when learners can gain hands-on practice with industry-standard components they’ll encounter on the job. The Representative Triplex, Plunger Mud Pump Dissectible features a wide variety of common, industrial-quality components to provide learners with a realistic training experience that will build skills that translate easily to the workplace.

The Representative Triplex, Plunger Mud Pump Dissectible is a sturdy unit with a complete triplex, reciprocating, 20+ bhp plunger pump with .75" plunger, 1.5" stroke, and 3" cylinder sleeve. The unit allows for complete disassembly, assembly, and inspection, including removal of plungers, packing, and valves.

The dissectible mud pump comes with a formed-steel, powder-coated baseplate. It can also be mounted on a compatible DAC Worldwide Extended Electromechanical Workstation (903). Each unit comes with the manufacturer’s installation and maintenance manual.

Preventative maintenance is critical to your Mud Sucker® Diaphragm Pump investment. We have added video tutorials to help you perform regular maintenance procedures for your specific Mud Sucker make and model. Above all, have spare parts kits on hand will help keep your diaphragm pump operating at its peak performance levels while extending the service life of your pump.

For the successful execution of your projects, it is important to find an appropriate company with a good track record. We help you in connecting with the top mud pump manufacturers and companies and get the best quotation.

The most widely used mud pumps across the industry are Triplex Reciprocating Pumps. Their application has gained immense popularity with time because they are 30% lighter than duplex reciprocating pumps with relatively less operational cost. Moreover, through these pumps the discharge of mud is smooth and they are capable of moving large volume of mud at higher pressure.

Yes. We help you find the best mud pumps irrespective of your location. We simplify your search by connecting you with top mud pump manufacturers and mud pump companies in your location, according to your budget and business requirement.

The most widely used mud pumps across the industry are Triplex Reciprocating Pumps. Their application has gained immense popularity with time because they are 30% lighter than duplex reciprocating pumps with relatively less operational cost. Moreover, through these pumps the discharge of mud is smooth and they are capable of moving large volume of mud at higher pressure.

The different parts of a mud pump are Housing itself, Liner with packing, Cover plus packing, Piston and piston rod, Suction valve and discharge valve with their seats, Stuffing box (only in double-acting pumps), Gland (only in double-acting pumps), and Pulsation dampener. A mud pump also includes mud pump liner, mud pump piston, modules, hydraulic seat pullers along with other parts.

The wearing parts of a mud pump should be checked frequently for repairing needs or replacement. The wearing parts include pump casing, bearings, impeller, piston, liner, etc. Advanced anti-wear measures should be taken up to enhance the service life of the wearing parts. This can effectively bring down the project costs and improve production efficiency.

Our service centers and field technicians are equipped with the right tools and equipment to meet your needs. Experienced and well-trained professionals rebuild your pumps and rotating equipment back to OEM specifications or better.

Talk to your FCX partner about our preventative maintenance services -these service contracts are designed to keep your pumping system running at peak performance.

FCX can engineer, assemble, test and repair sanitary positive displacement and centrifugal pumps. Our capabilities range from providing bare shaft pumps to complete skid mounted pump assemblies with variable frequency drives.

We carry an extensive inventory of positive displacement and centrifugal pumps in the surface finishes required by the life sciences market. Learn more about our Sanitary and High Purity Services

When it comes to service, we can"t be outdone. With a full line of quality pumps and parts in stock, we have the answers you need, when you need them.

Cavitation is an undesirable condition that reduces pump efficiency and leads to excessive wear and damage to pump components. Factors that can contribute to cavitation, such as fluid velocity and pressure, can sometimes be attributed to an inadequate mud system design and/or the diminishing performance of the mud pump’s feed system.

Although cavitation is avoidable, without proper inspection of the feed system, it can accelerate the wear of fluid end parts. Over time, cavitation can also lead to expensive maintenance issues and a potentially catastrophic failure.

When a mud pump has entered full cavitation, rig crews and field service technicians will see the equipment shaking and hear the pump “knocking,” which typically sounds like marbles and stones being thrown around inside the equipment. However, the process of cavitation starts long before audible signs reveal themselves – hence the name “the silent killer.”

Mild cavitation begins to occur when the mud pump is starved for fluid. While the pump itself may not be making noise, damage is still being done to the internal components of the fluid end. In the early stages, cavitation can damage a pump’s module, piston and valve assembly.

The imperceptible but intense shock waves generated by cavitation travel directly from the fluid end to the pump’s power end, causing premature vibrational damage to the crosshead slides. The vibrations are then passed onto the shaft, bull gear and into the main bearings.

If not corrected, the vibrations caused by cavitation will work their way directly to critical power end components, which will result in the premature failure of the mud pump. A busted mud pump means expensive downtime and repair costs.

To stop cavitation before it starts, install and tune high-speed pressure sensors on the mud suction line set to sound an alarm if the pressure falls below 30 psi.

Although the pump may not be knocking loudly when cavitation first presents, regular inspections by a properly trained field technician may be able to detect moderate vibrations and slight knocking sounds.

Gardner Denver offers Pump University, a mobile classroom that travels to facilities and/or drilling rigs and trains rig crews on best practices for pumping equipment maintenance.

Program participants have found that, by improving their maintenance skills, they have extended the life of fluid end expendables on their sites. They have also reported decreases in both production and repair costs, as well as reductions in workplace hazards.

Severe cavitation will drastically decrease module life and will eventually lead to catastrophic pump failure. Along with downtime and repair costs, the failure of the drilling pump can also cause damage to the suction and discharge piping.

When a mud pump has entered full cavitation, rig crews and field service technicians will see the equipment shaking and hear the pump ‘knocking’… However, the process of cavitation starts long before audible signs reveal themselves – hence the name ‘the silent killer.’In 2017, a leading North American drilling contractor was encountering chronic mud system issues on multiple rigs. The contractor engaged in more than 25 premature module washes in one year and suffered a major power-end failure.

Gardner Denver’s engineering team spent time on the contractor’s rigs, observing the pumps during operation and surveying the mud system’s design and configuration.

The engineering team discovered that the suction systems were undersized, feed lines were too small and there was no dampening on the suction side of the pump.

There were also issues with feed line maintenance – lines weren’t cleaned out on a regular basis, resulting in solids from the fluid forming a thick cake on the bottom of the pipe, which further reduced its diameter.

Following the implementation of these recommendations, the contractor saw significant performance improvements from the drilling pumps. Consumables life was extended significantly, and module washes were reduced by nearly 85%.

Although pump age does not affect its susceptibility to cavitation, the age of the rig can. An older rig’s mud systems may not be equipped for the way pumps are run today – at maximum horsepower.

DAC Worldwide’s Surge Suppressor Model (295-403) depicts a high-fidelity, precision to-scale model of a pulsation damper, otherwise known as a surge absorber. The industrial model supports training in the operation and maintenance of mud pumps, and mud pumping systems found within oilfield facilities and other applications incorporating large reciprocating pumps.

Learners will explore design, construction, operation, and control of surge suppressors using these learning tools. The model features a clear acrylic shell, component cutaways, color coding, and realistic detail, which combine to make this a useful tool in both operations and maintenance training.

The construction of this realistic mechanical model is based on a variety of well-known pulsation dampener. Based on a unit manufactured by Hydril Corporation, this training aid is a complete to-scale replication of one of the most common dampeners in use today. Molded from urethane plastics using silicone rubber molds, all salient and important equipment details are shown and enhanced.

Its convenient size, detail, color-coding, and multiple cutaways combine to allow the device to be useful in courses covering surge suppressors, flexible diaphragm stabilizers, valve guards, and much more. This teaching aid complements courses in oilfield production activities, oil & gas production operations, and maintenance training.

This Surge Suppressor Model features a clear acrylic, 4.5-inch diameter shell, including a 120-degree sectioned area, that allows complete visibility of both internal and external components. To ensure an ideal training experience, the model also includes a durable PVC base, with provisions for tabletop mounting. All of the construction throughout the model is to-scale, and the perfect 3-dimensional solution for study, promotion, and training.

The Surge Suppressor Model is only one of DAC Worldwide’s expansive mechanical training models and cutaways, which includes a Gas Turbine Model (295-301), a Pumpjack Package Model (295-408), a Composite Crude Oil Desalter Training Model (295-501), and many more!

Odessa Pumps (a DistributionNOW Company) has been a leader in providing solutions, packages, parts, repair and machining for more than 40 years. We maintain full-service locations in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana, as well as conduct worldwide exporting through our Houston operation. Our service representatives are available in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and Louisiana. In addition, we provide engineered pump packages, and we maintain a fully staffed, state-of-the-art machine shop dedicated to pump remanufacture and repair.

Ranging from the pump needs of the oil and gas fields of Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and Oklahoma, to keeping the water flowing for the cities and towns we call home, Odessa Pumps is your full-service pump company to help you transfer your process fluids economically, efficiently, safely and do it with reliable equipment that is environmentally friendly.