Hot Well Pumps
The Scope
During a routine inspection of a North Island geothermal power station’s hot well pump, Hutec identified significant wear requiring attention. Prolonged exposure to water had caused erosion of the stainless steel components, while geothermal deposits and cavitation were affecting the pump’s performance and condition.
The pump required extensive refurbishment, including new shafts, complete realignment and remediation of the damaged components to restore reliable operation.
Our Solution
Hutec carried out a complete overhaul of the hot well pump, including replacement of the impellers and shafts, precision machining and full machinery alignment. Machining was completed off-site, with the large, heavy shafts transported to and from the power station requiring careful planning and logistics.
The pump’s five-metre shaft also presented significant access challenges. Hutec constructed multiple levels of scaffolding to safely access the full length of the shaft, from its upper section through to the basement-level lower section.
The overhaul replaced worn components with new, precision-machined impellers and shafts, with accurate running clearances established during reassembly. The completed refurbishment improved the pump’s efficiency and reliability while significantly extending its service life.
