Blog

Pumps & Systems 10 to Watch: John Roberts

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Congratulations to Hydro’s John Roberts for being chosen as one of Pumps & Systems Magazine’s 10 to Watch for 2025! John is Senior Engineer in Hydro’s Global Engineering division, where he works with customers across the world to create solutions for their pump challenges.

When asked what led him to specialize in aftermarket engineering, John said, “What really draws me to the aftermarket side is the variety. No two projects are ever the same. You’re constantly adapting designs or methods to suit each situation, and that creativity keeps the work fresh and rewarding.”

Read more about John’s journey in the pump industry in the Pumps & Systems feature.

Interested in joining Hydro’s team of dynamics engineers? Check out our Careers page to browse current openings or to fill out a general application.

Join Our Lecture | 2025 Turbo Pump Symposia

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Hydro is proud to be presenting again at the 2025 Turbo Pump Symposia in Houston, TX! Join presenters Dr. Gary Dyson and Freddy Cardenas Linero as they discuss a case study where advanced engineering was used to dramatically increase flow of a shipping pump in an oil and gas terminal facility.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 2:00 – 2:45pm | Room 370A

Centrifugal pumps are critical to fluid handling systems, but as operational demands evolve, optimizing performance becomes essential. This lecture will present a successful hydraulic re-rate of a propane shipping pump (P-1010) at Phoenix Park Gas Processors’ Hull facility in Texas, aiming to double railcar loading capacity without major system modifications. Instead of replacing the pump, a process requiring over 40 weeks of lead time and costly infrastructure changes, the project used a duplicate unit sourced from the aftermarket. It was reverse engineered, hydraulically redesigned, and optimized using CFD simulations to shift the Best Efficiency Point from 350 GPM to 800 GPM while reducing head by 60%.

The study highlights the importance of combining CFD analysis with mechanical evaluation to ensure reliable performance. It outlines a structured methodology from feasibility assessment to installation, including modeling, manufacturing, quality control, and commissioning. This project demonstrates how a targeted hydraulic re-rate can extend equipment life, increase throughput, and reduce energy use and capital costs, all while maintaining existing mechanical and system constraints.

Find out more about this year’s Turbo Pump Symposia here.

Learn more about Hydro’s Engineering Services.

 

Empowering Pumps Maintenance & Reliability Summit

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Hydro was proud to participate in this year’s Empowering Pumps‘ virtual Maintenance & Reliability Summit. This year’s summit brought together industry experts for a powerful conversation about today’s maintenance challenges.

The summit featured prominent voices including Hydro’s Greg Bell, who strives to be a solutions provider while bringing the end user perspective to the aftermarket business through his years of experience at Gulf/Chevron.

The discussion, led by Empowering Pumps & Equipment President, Vince Marino, revealed critical challenges that maintenance organizations face across industries, particularly the widespread issue of understaffed crews and the loss of experienced personnel. Participants explored how legacy equipment, built decades ago, continues to operate under conditions far different from their original design parameters, requiring innovative engineering solutions rather than simple replacements. They also shared compelling examples of how proper application knowledge and proactive maintenance cultures can prevent costly downtime and extend equipment life.

You can watch this year’s summit here:

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Learn more about Empowering Pumps and Equipment here.

Read more about Hydro’s case studies in performance and reliability improvement on our blog.

Podcast- Mastering Advanced Vibration Techniques: From Modal Analysis to Motion Amplification

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Hydro’s Glen Powell joined Plant Services’ chief editor Tom Wilk to talk about the evolving challenges of workforce development in the maintenance and reliability space. The conversation also touches on the role of emerging technologies like AI in reliability workflows and dives deep into vibration analysis, including its limitations and advanced applications for diagnosing issues like resonance.

Key Takeaways

  • Formal training alone isn’t enough—intentional, hands-on experience accelerates workforce readiness.
  • Bridging generational gaps requires clear career paths and trust in leadership follow-through.
  • AI tools should support, not replace, critical thinking and field expertise on the plant floor.
  • Modal analysis and motion amplification are powerful tools to diagnose and fix elusive resonance issues in aging equipment.

You can listen to the podcast below or browse all of Plant Services’ Great Question podcasts here.

Want to expand your knowledge? Explore Plant Services magazine or read our case studies focused on Hydro’s work in troubleshooting and vibration analysis.

Capability Spotlight: Leverage a Global Network

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From its first storefront on Diversey Street in Chicago in 1969, Hydro has grown into an expansive service network that supports rotating equipment users worldwide.  Our extensive footprint ensures that we can deliver our hallmark quality and exceptional customer service to clients across the globe.

Our geographic expansion has been accompanied by the growth of our engineering capabilities and our application knowledge. While all Hydro facilities are guided by the same processes and standards, we have also developed targeted capabilities, tooling, and experience in our individual locations to serve their local markets.  This service base is complemented by our centralized global engineering division, with experts in disciplines such as hydraulic design, metallurgy, and vibration analysis and troubleshooting.

By leveraging a diversity of expertise and resources, we can cater to the unique needs of each customer, ensuring timely and effective solutions that uphold our high standards of excellence. Some examples of niche capabilities within our network that can be leveraged by Hydro’s customers include:

Our growth has strengthened—not diminished—our commitment to local service excellence. Each service center combines on-site, dedicated engineering resources with established local supplier networks to deliver timely, effective support. We believe that communication is the cornerstone of successful collaboration, and we work hard to foster a culture of transparency and engagement.

Find your local Hydro service center here.