The Lubrications Of Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)

Other than the stuffing box lubrication, mechanical seal and/or lineshaft lubrication, the Vertical Turbine Pump will not require further periodic lubrication. On Vertical Turbine Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps) (VTP Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)), the suction bearing on the bowl assembly should be repacked when required. Vertical Turbine Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps) (VTP Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)) that pump hydrocarbons or have carbon, rubber, epoxy or Teflon suction bearings do not have the suction bearings packed. If the Vertical Turbine Pump will be started after a longer storage period, the bearings should be first flushed and cleaned by using a suitable cleaning agent. It is not necessary to remove the oil sprayed for short or long-term storage as this will mix up thoroughly with the lubrication oil.

Re-checking the motor lubrication should be in accordance with the motor manufacturer's user instructions supplied separately with the Vertical Turbine Pump.

Open lineshaft lubrication

Open lineshaft bearings are lubricated by the pumped fluid on short-coupled units less than 15 m (50 ft) long and will usually not require pre or post-lubrication. Care is to be taken to ensure that the gland or seal is supplied with the required flush flow.

All open lineshaft Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps) where the static water level is more than 15 m (50 ft) below the discharge head should be adequately pre-lubricated before starting the Vertical Turbine Pump.

Pre-lubrication duration

Allow flush water to flow down the shaft for 45 minutes for Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps) over 15 m (50 ft) and increase the pre-lube duration by at least 15 minutes for every 5 m (15 ft) additional shaft length beyond 20 m (65 ft). The fittings for pre-lube are provided at the discharge head.

Typical pre-lube pipe connection (examples (a) thru (d),See Figure A)

In general all W type cast discharge heads are provided with a standard size pipe fitting for pre-lube connection. Fabricated discharge heads are fitted with a special piping arrangement to allow pre-lube liquid flow onto the shaft.

It is the responsibility of the user to install a reliable pre-lube system to achieve the Vertical Turbine Pump prelubrication. Flowserve will not supply these types of systems or accessories with the Vertical Turbine Pump.

Examples of typical pre-lube methods used in the industry are as follows.(See Figure A)

Enclosed shaft lubrication

VTPs with the enclosed shafting are lubricated by a dedicated oil supply system or injection lubricated by extraneous liquid; usually clean water to meet the application requirements.

Oil lubricated Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)

The lubricating oil must be available and should be allowed to run into the enclosing tube in sufficient quantity to thoroughly lubricate all lineshaft bearings. The gravity flow system is the most commonly utilized system for oil.

The oil reservoir (example shown in detail below) must be kept filled with a good quality light turbine oil (about 30 cSt) at the operating temperature and adjusted to feed a minimum of 3 drops per minute per 30 m (100 ft) of column length, but not to exceed 5 drops per minute.(See Figure A)

Pre-lubrication of oil lubricated Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)

As a general rule, the oil must be allowed to flow by gravity at least 45 minutes before the Vertical Turbine Pump is started for the first time or in case the Vertical Turbine Pump was turned off for a longer duration. Adequate care should be taken to make sure that the flow is available and is consistent for subsequent startups.

Injection lubricated Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)

Enclosed lineshaft bearings are lubricated by extraneous liquid (usually clean water), which is fed to the tension nut either by gravity flow, or by a pressure injection system.

Injection systems are designed for each installation. Injection pressure and quantity of liquid will vary. Normally 0.45-0.90 m3/h (2-4 gpm) at 0.7- 1.4 bar (10-20 psi) over maximum pump discharge pressure of clean liquid is required.

Pre-lubrication of injection lubricated Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)

As a general rule, the liquid flow is to be started at least 15~20 minutes before the pump is started for the first time or in the event of Vertical Turbine Pump not being in use for longer duration.

 Adequate care should be taken to make sure that the flow is available and consistent for subsequent startups and operation. Injection pressure to be adjusted as recommended before the startup.

Enclosed shaft lubricants

The following oils are recommended for enclosed lineshaft bearing lubrication under normal operating conditions. See tables A and B.

It is recommended that detergent type oils not be used.

If none of the above oils are available, equivalent turbine oil (food or non-food grades as required) with the matching properties has to be selected. 

Oil level

The correct oil level is in the middle of the oil sight glass and shall be checked when the Vertical Turbine Pump is not in operation. Periodically check if the lubricating oil is mixed with any condensed water. Careful opening of the oil drain during a stop of the pump will show any water.

After the initial start the level will decrease due to circulation of the oil through the bearings.

If the oil level is higher than specified, it could result in higher bearing temperatures resulting in poor lubrication.

Oil quality

Oil used for enclosed shaft lubrication should only be of high quality turbine grade. The viscosity of the oil at working temperature must be at least 30 cSt (mm2/sec).

The pour point of the oil must be in accordance with the lowest expected temperature of the bearing housing during a stop of the Vertical Turbine Pump.

For recommended lubricating oils, refer to the lubrication tables in section about Enclosed shaft lubricants.