Maintenance and Engineering

Pumps and Compressors Operation and Troubleshooting

Pumps and compressors are critical to process plants, utilities and buildings. This course covers operation and troubleshooting of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps and compressors: performance curves, system interaction, cavitation and surge, seals and bearings, common failures, troubleshooting methods and efficiency improvement.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Pump and compressor problems cause frequent downtime and energy waste. You will learn to operate them correctly and diagnose problems quickly.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Performance curve exercises, troubleshooting case studies, failure analysis and efficiency calculations.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain pump and compressor types and operating principles
Read performance curves and system curves
Recognise and prevent cavitation and surge
Diagnose common mechanical and process problems
Maintain seals, bearings and couplings
Improve energy efficiency

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Mechanical and process engineers
Maintenance technicians
Operators in process plants
Reliability engineers
Utility engineers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Performance analysis
Troubleshooting
Failure prevention
Maintenance practice
Energy efficiency

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Pumps

09:00–10:08Centrifugal and PD pumps
10:08–11:00Performance curves
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Performance curves (continued)
11:45–12:53System interaction
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Pump Problems

09:00–10:08Cavitation and NPSH
10:08–11:00Recirculation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Recirculation (continued)
11:45–12:53Seal and bearing failures
12:53–14:00Case study

Day 3Compressors

09:00–10:08Compressor types
10:08–11:00Operating envelopes
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Operating envelopes (continued)
11:45–12:53Surge and stonewall
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Troubleshooting

09:00–10:08Diagnostic methods
10:08–11:00Vibration and temperature
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Vibration and temperature (continued)
11:45–12:53Root causes
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 5Efficiency

09:00–10:08Energy losses
10:08–11:00Variable speed operation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Variable speed operation (continued)
11:45–12:53Improvement plan
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

All courses

The full course agenda and dates are available above. Use the session links in Dates & venues to choose a session. Registration and quotation forms require JavaScript; you can also contact our learning team directly.