Centrifugal Pump Reliability 101: Practical Solutions Through Fundamentals and Case Studies

This comprehensive guide addresses the critical elements required to achieve reliable centrifugal pump systems in process industries. Moving beyond isolated pump components, the book takes a holistic approach to pump system reliability, examining the entire ecosystem in which pumps operate. The author draws from decades of hands-on experience to provide a practical framework that bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, focusing specifically on roto-dynamic (centrifugal) pumps and the complex systems they inhabit.

Centrifugal Pump Reliability 101: Practical Solutions Through Fundamentals and Case Studies distinguishes itself from other technical resources; this book delivers exceptional value through its collection of 60 detailed case studies documenting actual pump failures and their resolutions. These real-world examples illuminate the often-hidden root causes of reliability issues that might otherwise take years to discover. The content follows a cradle-to-grave approach, covering essential aspects from proper sizing, selection, and installation through operation and maintenance.
Readers benefit from accelerated learning as the author distills 10–20 years of professional insights into accessible knowledge, teaching them to identify the few critical factors among many variables that most significantly impact pump reliability.

The book serves professionals across the organizational spectrum in process industries – from novice maintenance staff seeking fundamental concepts to experienced reliability engineers hunting for root causes. Project engineers will find crucial guidance on design decisions, while operations managers will understand how their choices affect long-term pump reliability.

Randy Riddell, a native of Kossuth, Mississippi, attended Mississippi State University where he received
a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Randy currently resides in Killen, Alabama, with his wife Amy and their two children – Marlie and Lacee. Randy has over 35 years of industrial experience with a career focused on maintenance and reliability in the paper industry. His formal certifications include CMRP from SMRP, MLTI from ICML, CLS from STLE, Level 1 Vibration, and Pump System Assessment Professional, PSAP, from the Hydraulic Institute. Randy has published many articles and two books around industrial equipment reliability topics. He has also been a guest speaker at several industry and university engineering settings, and the Hydraulic Institute.