Can I weld a SS cplg to a CF8M volute?

[KernOily]

Guys I need some way to attach some type of a 304L/316L stainless forged pipe fitting, e.g. a weldolet or pipe coupling, to a SS volute on a 3x4-13 I-R HOC2 ANSI pump.

My need is to install access ports in the volute to allow the operator to clean the pump internals without disassembling the pump. Currently, they do this by unbolting the suction and discharge piping and then removing the volute. We think this is one of the root causes of the frequent seal failures (about every 4 months) that we are experiencing. I want to weld on 8 or 10 of these couplings to allow the operator to insert the wand of a prssure washer and blast off the impeller and volute. The pumpage is a slurry of iron chelate and suspended solid sulfur which is very sticky. The sulfur sticks to the internals causing the pump to lose efficiency. I have to take the pumps off-line about once a week to do this; there are four such pumps so as you see this makes quite an impact on the operation.

Can I weld couplings directly to the volute? Maybe some of you have been up agaisnt a similar problem and have come up with a novel solution.

Thanks for your help and ideas! Pete

Thanks!
Pete

 

[Artisi]

Cannot see any reason why not, but you should get some advise and a weld proceedure from a knowlegeable source before welding. You should also consider that there might be some localised erosion at the "break-through" point into the volute - especially if this material is in anyway abrasive.
Rubber lined pumps can sometimes be used on materials that tend to cling, ask some of the slurry pump manufacturers for their advise.

International College
Naresuan University
Phitsanulok
Thailand

 

[sandriver]

Have you looked at the seal configuration? closly? What type of fluid are you using for you seal injection? What type of seal are you using for what model pump? Seal problems usualy have to do with application, conifguration or installation.

Malcolm