1.4.1.6.

1 PUMPS
05
Impeller damaged by Cavitation
 Cavitation
• It can be occurred Low pressure side of the pump of impeller and
blades when the pump suction contains air or when the pump is
running faster than the designed speed. When the pressure reduced
dissolved air comes out of liquid and forms cavities or bubbles. These
bubbles follow with liquid when they reach the high-pressure region
very rapidly and bursting each other results in shock waves which
attack metal causing cavitation pitting on the least resistance region.
This will serve vibration and leading to bearing failure
  Cause of cavitation
• It can be occurred Low pressure side of the pump of
impeller and blades.
• The pump suction contains air due to
1. using incorrect size of piping,
2. throttle of suction valve
3. any leakage in the suction line.
• The pump is running faster than the designed speed.
• The pump is in long service live.
  Rectify of Cavitation
The pump should be run at design speed. To prevent suction
contains air using correct size of piping and any leakage in the suction
line is avoided. Avoid throttle of suction valve. The pump should be
overhaul regular interval.
1. Clean impeller and eye.
2. Check clearance impeller and wearing ring.
3. Check bearing play.
4. Check impeller, shaft gland packing.
 Centrifugal pump vibrating.
• Misalignment between pump and prime mover
• Foundation not sufficiently rigid
• Impeller partially clogged causing unbalance
• Mechanical defects as
1. Shaft bent
2. Rotating element binds
3. Worn bearings
4. Impeller eroded
5. Casing unbalance
  Repair list including FIVE defective
items with respect to centrifugal pump.
Five defective items of centrifugal pump.
1. Impeller, pump shaft and internal volute/casing can be inspected for
erosion, pitting and wear.
2. Check wear ring clearance using feeler gauges; to replace with new rings if
require
3. Check impeller shaft key and keyways for damage and undue wear, Unscrew
impeller shaft securing nut and check threads are in satisfactory condition.
4. Check mechanical seal stationary and rotary surfaces, spring tension and O-
ring condition.
5. Check flexible coupling bolts and rubber condition.
 Priming (or) air extraction is necessary in
centrifugal pumps.
• Priming of Centrifugal pump is necessary
1. Centrifugal pumps are non-positive
displacement pump and it is not self priming.
2. Suction ability of centrifugal pump is relatively
small.
• Priming of centrifugal pump is needed when
1. Centrifugal pump whose suction head is
negative or
2. Suction lift is high
Air priming pump
 Air priming pump
Air priming pumps are often used for priming the centrifugal pump
housing and suction pipe.
• It consists of star shape rotor is fitted eccentrically in the pump housing.
• When the rotor is rotated and fed a little water.
• It is formed a water ring at the internal circumference of the pump housing.
• Water ring is just touching the hub.
• Air space between water ring hub and vanes.
• Airspace is expended during first half revolution and suction effect.
• It is compressed during 2nd half revolution and pressure effect.
• Section A is connected to suction pipe of centrifugal pump and section B is
connected to discharge pipe of centrifugal pump.
  Central priming system

• The central priming system is air handling for a group of centrifugal

pumps. It is more economical and efficient than individual shaft
driven priming pumps for each centrifugal pump.
• The system usually has two priming pumps; one in use and the
other stand by. This pump is usually of the liquid-ring type operates
automatically to maintain a vacuum condition between pressure set
limits in the vacuum tank. The vacuum tank is further connected to
various centrifugal pumps in the engine room. It carries out air
extraction for all centrifugal pumps. The air suction is via a float
operated valve, which shuts when the system is primed, preventing
system water getting into the priming pump.
 Advantages of Central priming system

1. Lower first cost (sharing of priming

arrangement between a large numbers of
pumps).
2. Saving in power, since only one priming
pump is doing the job for all centrifugal
pumps.
3. Less maintenance as only one priming
pump is running.
Priming Arrangement for Non-Positive Pump
 Questions
Section A
1. What is central priming system?
2. Give reasons for Centrifugal pump vibrating.?
3. Write a repair list including FIVE defective items with
respect to centrifugal pump.
4. Explain why and when priming (or) air extraction is
necessary in centrifugal pumps.
5. How to rectify of cavitation?
6. Describe the advantages of central priming system.