[Exports_project_office] Diaphragm pump on Ride

[Norm Nelson]

Hi all, 

I just heard Sue Drapeau is having difficulty with the diaphragm pump we had installed before the OOI cruise (running but not pumping water, or flow rate varying), and that she’s not getting much support debugging the problem. Sounds like it could be air in the lines but it’s not clear where it is intruding. Can’t tell from here, of course. This is mission critical for EXPORTS so it would be great if we could get this resolved.

In case this is a fault with the pump that we can’t solve, it’s our intention to bring our air-powered diaphragm pump and an electric air compressor to power it so we don’t have to use ship’s air. Does that sound like a workable solution? I know the space in the engine room where the pump sits is kind of cramped but hopefully we can work this out. 

Thanks, Norm

Norm Nelson
Earth Research Institute
MC 3060
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
norm at eri.ucsb.edu
Vox: +1-805-893-3202