A set of photos of broken pitot tubes on rotary vane pumps
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This pump is the feed pump for the OCT-MD gasoline hydrogenation unit. After being commissioned, it operated for about 15 months before suddenly developing abnormal noises and its flow rate dropped to zero. Upon disassembly, it was found that the pitot tube was broken. Through analysis conducted together with the manufacturer, the cause was identified as irregularities in the tempering and quenching process during the manufacture of the pitot tube, which resulted in inadequate stress relief at the elbow portion of the tube. It belongs to stress fatigue fracture.
This situation seems to occur very rarely; the receiving tube, especially at its root, is the least likely area to develop problems (including wear), which is worth exploring
The manufacturer worked with us to consult a third-party testing agency, which concluded that stress was not properly relieved during the production of the pitot tube, resulting in stress-fatigue fracture.
This type of fracture must be extremely rare! !