Preventing Failure Due To Calcium Build Up

Calcium (aka Lime) build up can cause higher power consumption, reduction in pump capacity, lost production time due to locking up of the pump, and pump damage due to improper acid washings.

Possible Causes

Seal Water

  • “Hard” seal water source (containing high concentrations of calcium carbonite)
  • Recirculated seal with increasing levels of calcium carryover
  • Hot seal water

Carryover

  • Liquid carryover from process containing calcium
  • Vapor carryover from process

Acid Washing

  • Poor acid washing practices
  • Waiting too long to properly acid wash pumps
  • Pump lockup

Possible solutions

Seal Water

  • Change seal water source
  • Recirculate seal water
  • Treat seal water


Carryover

  • Install separators and/or eliminate calcium source
  • Install spray nozzles with cool seal source


Acid Washing

  • Follow Nash acid washing procedures (could cause corrosive attack if not done properly)
  • Monitor buildup via Nash borescope