Cold weather creates several hindrances on drill sites, while also impacting the drilling pace. That’s why many drillers take time off to maintain their equipment and get it ready for the peak summer months during this time.
One part that requires significant attention is the mud pump or drilling pump. Often referred to as the heart of the rig, this vital piece of equipment is used to circulate drilling fluid downhole.
With the winter season just around the corner, here are some tips you should keep in mind when carrying out mud pump maintenance.
Replacing Liners and Swabs
While things might seem okay on the surface, tearing down and inspecting the equipment can reveal some pressing issues. For example, worn down swabs can leak, which pushes mud around the swab and against the liners. This can accelerate the liner deterioration process significantly.
One trick to save money and ensure that your mud pump will work at optimal levels is to change swabs regularly. This protects the liner from damage and increases its useful life. Usually, you can change three sets of swabs before exchanging liners.
Assessing Wear
The next step is to assess the wear on the piston. The wear groove around the piston is a great indicator of the overall health of the pump. If the wear on the groove is even throughout, then your pump is most likely in good shape.
However, if the wear is only on one side, you’ve got a problem. Uneven wear is a sign that rods aren’t stroking parallel to the liner; the chances are the rods are out of alignment, or that there is an obstruction on the gear end.
Lubricating Parts
Lubricating oil is another vital consideration when preparing your machine for use. Smaller pumps require splash lubrication, whereby the rod picks up oil during each crank stroke and lubricates the crank journals. If the gear end is contaminated with drill mud, it’ll destroy the pump. So, clean any drill mud in the gear end and ensure proper packing to prevent wear.
In cases where the oil is clean, but the crank still shows signs of wear, you may have to rethink the lubricating oil you’re using. Thick oil won’t be picked up and, as a result, won’t reach your journals. If your pump starts knocking, consider switching to a lighter variety of lubricating oil.
Investing in High-Quality Process Instrumentation
If you haven’t been doing this until now, it’s time to invest in high-quality drilling rig instrumentation. Process control equipment, like mud pump gauges, prevents excessive mud pump wear, and helps you maintain optimal conditions for use. This will extend the life of your mud pump and decrease the costs of repair and replacement significantly.
Contact Instruments is a leading supplier of high-quality process instrumentation in Canada and the United States. Our products include pressure gauges, custom cables, pump stands, weight indicators for drilling rigs, and brass wear rings. Get in touch with us today for more information about our products.