Analysis of a Butane Pump Failure

CATEGORY: PUMPS
Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, Volume 12, Number 1 (2012)
Case History---Peer-Reviewed
Analysis of a Butane Pump Failure
David Christie (1)
davec@imrtest.com
1. IMR Test Labs, 131 Woodsedge Drive, Lansing, NY 14882, USA
Abstract
A refinery fire at a liquid butane pump engulfed the pump, mechanical pump seals, bearing and motor shaft. The author attempted to answer the question as to whether the bearing or mechanical seals failed first.
Seal failure would likely have resulted in a fume explosion, causing fracture of the shaft. Bearing failure/seizure could have caused the shaft to fracture, damaging the seals in the process.  This would result in the release of liquid butane that then ignited without a forceful explosion as it contacted hot metal surfaces. The observed distortion and microstructural changes in the bearing and shaft components indicated that bearing failure by possible lubrication starvation was the cause of the fire.
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