Fiberscope Inspections

Maintain performance with inspections and analysis that can detect and identify potential problems early.

One of the easiest ways to keep an eye on your liquid ring pumps and compressors is through a fiberscope (also called borescope or videoscope) inspection. In this inspection a trained technician or field service engineer use a small camera to visually inspect pump internals without disassembly. Inspections can be performed on site, during a scheduled shutdown, and are key in identifying potential issues early, before pump performance drops or failure occurs.  

Frequency & Length of Inspection

Fiberscope inspections should be performed annually for pumps in regular operation, and every 6 months for pumps operating in harsh conditions, or conditions that may be prone to cavitation or corrosion.

A typical inspection takes about 30 minutes, but can vary due to pump size and conditions. Multiple pumps can be scheduled for inspection on the same day, or if your facility rotates pumps in and out of service we can schedule rotating inspections at times that are convenient for your operation.

Preparation

To perform a fiberscope inspection the pump must be shut down and locked out. Remove the body plugs at the top and bottom of the pump housing and any obstructive piping. Leave the ports open and drain all of the seal liquid.

Safety First - always use required personal protection equipment when preparing a pump for inspection. Make sure pumps are locked out, and if the inspection occurs above four feet or requires a step ladder take appropriate precautions to avoid slips and falls.

Preparing the pump for an inspection is an excellent time to perform a little preventative maintenance. Check the following, and make note of any indicators or questions you might have for the technician.

  • When removing the pump plugs inspect for calcium buildup, erosion and corrosion. This can indicate the internal condition of the pump.
  • Inspect purge lines for plugging
  • Examine the pump exterior for leaks in the body/shroud areas
  • Check and unblock outlet ports, drains and drip trays

Areas Inspected

A NASH Certified™ factory trained technician will examine your pump internals to inspect condition of critical parts and clearance. We will inspect the following pump components for signs of damage or unusual wear.

  • Rotor blade tips and taper bores
  • Rotor to cone
  • Body sweeps
  • Fixed and drive end rotor to body
  • Body purge lines
  • Bearing lubrication
  • Packing glands
  • Cone inlets and discharge ports
Fiberscope view: new rotor blade

Identifying Problems

A fiberscope inspection can identify the following problems, or potential for problems if caught early. If you already know there is a problem, the examination can look for the cause of the failure and provide information for a repair.

  • Cavitation damage
  • Corrosion
  • Erosion
  • Scaling
  • Contamination
  • Any unusual signs of wear
Fiberscope view: corroded blade

Interpreting Results

Upon completion of the inspection NASH Certified will provide you with a report that includes photographs and notes for any pumps that show visible damage or indicate that there is potential for damage. Our team will walk you through any required repairs, and will help you evaluate your operating conditions to minimize potential for any additional damage.

Experience Matters

Only a trained technician or field service engineer should perform fiberscope inspections on your NASH pumps or compressors. Unexperienced inspectors may cause additional damage, or may miss some of the more obscure indicators of a potential problem.

Our NASH Certified team has more than 25 years of experience, and has been scoping pumps and compressors since the technology was made available almost three decades ago. Our extensive experience can catch problems early, and work with your to schedule maintenance and repair that fits your budget and schedule. 

Do you suspect there is a problem with your pump, or want to set up preventative maintenance now and avoid problems that can be prevented? NASH Certified Service offers customizable preventative maintenance plans that include fiberscope inspections and other analysis that can keep your operation running smoothly and efficiency.

You invested in a NASH® pump for a reason - reliability.

Let us help you keep your operation running smoothly, reliably and efficiently.