Advanced Diagnostic Tools For Wastewater Pump Health Assessment

Aging infrastructure is a major national issue, with many wastewater systems nearing or exceeding their useful lifespan. Plant operators and local governments are under pressure to manage these assets and must address immediate concerns of replacing and repairing aging equipment. Proper pump health assessment is critical for identifying the correct remedy for failing or underperforming pumps, leading to significant cost and labor savings by reducing downtime.

Several advanced diagnostic tools are available to help maintain and rehabilitate these vital pumps. Trending diagnostics involve continuous monitoring of conditions like vibration, flow, and pressure, which supports predictive maintenance by detecting imminent malfunctions. Operating Deflection Shape (ODS) modeling measures and visualizes a system's vibration while operating, helping to identify root causes and structural defects. Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA) identifies a system's natural frequencies and mode shapes, guiding targeted structural stiffening to prevent catastrophic failure. Finally, Motion Amplification Video (MAV) offers a quick, non-contact alternative to ODS, capturing data over large areas to analyze areas like small-bore piping and mechanical seals. Learn how a full suite of these tools can reduce risks and explore rehabilitation possibilities before replacement is necessary.