Apex pump spares for frost bitten pump

Comments 0 by in Pump Repairs
June 12, 2013

Here is a picture of an impeller removed from a 75 Kw horizontal end suction Apex pump manufactured in Bristol.

Apex pump impeller

The pump is sited outside without lagging or insulation, and left to stand full of water during the recent cold snap in March ! OK, we may not expect that sort of temperature drop in March, but it just goes to show how important it is to insulate pumps that are open to the elements. The water in the volute casing had frozen solid, and when the pump started up, the massive torque developed by the WEG 75 Kw electric motor, ripped the centre clean out of the impeller. We can then only assume that when things started to heat up and the ice began to melt, the impeller had moved forwards, picked up, spun and worn into the front wear ring. Also the pressure had been taken off the mechanical seal spring and the seal faces were in pieces allowing water to gush out over the motor.

Prevention is better than cure, and certainly cheaper ! Fortunately though, we are able to supply the necessary spares and repair the pump.