Centrifugal Pump Reliability Improvement in the Pulp and Paper Industry.

South African pulp and paper mills have encountered frequent breakdowns of centrifugal pumps, resulting in considerable production losses. A case study was conducted to determine the factors contributing to these failures and devise ways to enhance pump reliability. Data were collected through questionnaires and operational records. The study revealed that inadequate maintenance, misalignment of pump components, lack of lubrication, improper baseplate installation, subpar sealing arrangements, inadequate design of the pumping system, and foreign materials entering the system were the primary causes of pump failure. To improve reliability, this study suggests employing machine learning methods to select the optimal maintenance strategy and provide internal maintenance personnel with training in condition monitoring systems. This will enable both pulp and paper mills and pump manufacturers to identify blind spots and improve the dependability of centrifugal pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]