Repotenciación y calibración del banco de pruebas de la bomba centrífuga del laboratorio de turbomaquinaria hidráulica de la Facultad de Mecánica de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo

Abstract

The centrifugal pump test bench in the Hydraulic Turbomachinery Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering Faculty is currently in a suboptimal condition for conducting practical exercises due to operating conditions and system integrity deficiencies. Therefore, this project aimed to upgrade and calibrate the centrifugal pump test bench in the Hydraulic Turbomachinery Laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty at the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. A technical diagnosis was performed for each system, including the mechanical, hydraulic, and control system, following the user manual and installation, operation, and maintenance guidelines of the centrifugal pump based on ISO 2858. This analysis revealed the deterioration of specific components due to their poor operating condition and the passage of time, leading to a loss of precision in data acquisition using LabVIEW software and the misalignment of measurement instruments. To ensure the complete functionality and availability of the systems, corrective and preventive maintenance was carried out on the components that required attention. The programming of the centrifugal pump was also updated using LabVIEW software 2017 version, which facilitated real-time data acquisition with accurate values and improved system operation. A maintenance and operation plan was implemented to prevent functional failures. In conclusion, the repowering of the test bench has significantly improved its operating conditions, allowing for appropriate laboratory practices and enhancing student learning.