Extend Pump Life & Improve Efficiency in Your Boiler Feedwater System
Upgrade your pump internals with Boulden’s Vespel® CR-6100 and PERF-Seal™ solutions engineered to reduce seizure risk, increase reliability, and optimize power consumption.
Boiler Feed Pumps: What’s At Stake
Boiler feed pumps operate under increasingly demanding conditions. Power Generation, Refining, Petrochemical, Chemical Manufacturing, and Pulp & Paper operations are running harder, cycling more frequently, and facing changing load profiles that the pumps were never originally designed for.
When combined with the elevated temperatures, pressures, and impurities common to feedwater systems, legacy pump internals introduce serious reliability risks.
Common Failure Drivers
- Corrosion from feedwater impurities
- Wear component or seal failure
- Higher long-term operating costs from power consumption
- Pump seizure caused by metal-to-metal contact and tight clearances
Colorado Power Plant Success Story
A 10-stage boiler feed pump at a power plant in Colorado was originally designed to run continuously for years. But with renewables changing the grid, the plant shifted to multiple starts and stops per week—exposing the pump train to hundreds of cycles annually.
The pump’s metal wear rings, metal center bushing, and metal throttle bushing were never intended for that operating profile. Every start and stop increased the risk of galling, contact, and pump seizure.
So they turned to Boulden.
Working closely with their local repair shop, Boulden engineered upgraded internals using Vespel® CR-6100 and the Boulden PERF-Seal™ design. This allowed the plant to safely reduce internal clearances while eliminating metal-to-metal contact points altogether.
The Results
- 8+ years of continuous runtime on the first upgraded pump
- Entire pump train upgraded to Vespel® CR-6100
- Higher flow rates with lower power consumption
- Improved hydraulic efficiency and operational reliability
- Ability to cycle pumps freely without seizure concern
This upgrade, implemented during a standard overhaul, delivered everything the plant needed: ease of operation, longer pump life, and significantly higher efficiency.
What Makes Boulden Solutions Different
Non-Seizing, Non-Galling Materials
Vespel® CR-6100 eliminates metal contact points and performs exceptionally under frequent cycling and high-energy operating conditions.
Reduced Internal Clearances for Higher Efficiency
Lower power consumption and improved hydraulic performance—often measurable immediately.
Engineered to Your Operating Profile
PERF-Seal™ geometry enhances stability, reduces wear, and ensures smooth operation during start-stop cycles.
How the Upgrade Works
Most boiler feedwater pumps can be upgraded during standard overhaul or refurbishment. No redesign is necessary. Boulden collaborates directly with your repair shop or OEM to engineer the optimal configuration of:
- Case wear rings
- Center bushings
- Throttle bushings
- Application-specific internal components
Operational Benefits
- Longer component life
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Reduced downtime
- Increased reliability under variable cycling conditions
Performance Benefits Summary
Upgrade once, benefit for years.
- Higher pump operating efficiency
- Lower power consumption
- Reduced risk of pump seizure
- Longer run time and overhaul intervals
- Lower lifecycle operating cost
- Increased plant operational flexibility
