SAFEX Alert SSA04-09 Page 1 of 3

Est. 1954

SAFEX ALERT

ALERT NO. DATE ISSUED

SSA04-09 25 June 2009

1. TITLE: Cracks in TARBY progressive cavity pump rotor

2. TARGET (Who will benefit from this Alert?):

a. Operators of Mobile Explosives Manufacturing Units (MEMU)
b. Users of progressive cavity pumps especially TARBY pumps

3. SITUATION (What gave rise to this Alert).

Some of TITANOBELs MEMUs are equipped with TARBY progressive cavity
pumps (model number 3TR6CDQ154). The pump assembly is illustrated in
the exploded view below:
SAFEX Alert SSA04-09 Page 2 of 3

During routine preventive maintenance on one of the MEMUs, TITANOBEL

discovered a crack in the conical section at the beginning of the flexible
rotor (item 23 of the exploded view above). These cracks are illustrated in
the photographs below:

On checking all TITANOBEL pump trucks, they detected the same problem
on another MEMU which was using the same model pump.

4. PRINCIPLE (What underlying SHE principle(s) is at stake?):

The rotor consists of two welded metal parts. Explosive emulsion can
penetrate the crack between the two pieces. Any crack wherein explosives
can accumulate should be avoided. Explosives that accumulate in cracks
may be initiated due to any of the possible mechanisms: pressure, friction,
impact and applied heat. It also complicates the safe decontamination of
the rotor, when required.

5. SUGGESTED ACTION (What are recipients expected to do to benefit

from this Alert?):
It is recommended that other users of TARBY pumps check the condition of
their rotors as a matter of urgency.
SAFEX Alert SSA04-09 Page 3 of 3

Because at this stage TITANOBEL have no technical explanation for the

causes of these cracks, they urgently request advice and suggestions from
the SAFEX community. Their particular concerns are:
a. Have SAFEX members who use this pump (or any other) encountered a
similar problem?
b. If so, were they able to identify the cause(s) and what remedial action
did they take?

6. COMMENT (Feedback from recipients): Kindly provide the Secretariat at

secretariat@safex-international.org with feedback, suggestions or questions by
replying to the covering note of this Alert. (Once you have opened the covering
note, click on Reply in the Outlook menu bar and write your feedback.)

7. REFERENCES (Additional information):

None

8. ORIGINATOR (Who submitted this Alert?):

a. Name: Jean-Paul Reynaud
b. Position in the Company: QHSE Manager, TITANOBEL
c. Contact details: Tel: +33 (0)3.80.47.23.00
Mobile: +33 (0)6.08.86.58.97
Email: jean-paul.reynaud@titanobel.com