PUMP AND PRIMER

OBJECTIVE Learning Outcome 9 Assessment Criteria Describe Pump and Primer. 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 REFERENCES 1. Manual of firemanship, part 2 chapter 1. State the definition and function of pump. List the types and categories of pump. List the function of primer. List types of primer. State priming methods. State the reasons of the pump failure.

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PUMP AND PRIMER

INTRODUCTION Early pumps used by fire services were mainly of the manual type, with the introduction of steam-power, the rotary pump was widely used, but has for many years been displaced by the centrifugal pump. The fire pump, whose function is to collect water either from its vehicle water tank hydrant or open water source and increase its pressure sufficiently to propel it through hose lines to the fire is of primary importance. DEFINITION OF PUMP A pump is a machine driven by external power for transmitting energy to fluids. The power may be provided by operators own effort or some other suitable mechanical device.

FUNCTION OF PUMP Function of pump is energy conversion process, from velocity to pressure and to propel water/fluid through delivery outlet. TYPES AND CATEGORIES OF PUMP Pumps fall broadly into three categories: 1. Positive displacement pumps. A positive displacement pumps is on in which energy is imported to fluids by displacement between a plunger or motor and the casing of the pump, the moving parts making an air-and-watertight joint with the casing i.e. with each stroke/rotation of the plunger/rotor, affixed amount of fluid is displaced. Within this category there are four main types, viz.: a. b. c. d. Force pump. Lift pump. Bucket and plunger pumps. Rotary pump.

Diagram showing the operation of force pump

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2. Centrifugal pump. If comprises a wheel with vanes or blades called an impeller in a housing or case called volute. Water is led into the eye or centre of the impeller and the pressure is produced as the water is rotated by the impeller at high speed. The pump works on centrifugal force principal. Centrifugal force can easily be understood by imagining a bucket of water swung at arms length: If it is swung fast enough centrifugal force will keep the water in the bucket.

Sketch showing the construction of a typical impeller

3. Ejector pumps. These are pumps with no moving parts in which a jet of water passes into a larger orifice causing a reduction of atmospheric pressure. Ejector pumps can be regarded as special pumps and are particularly suitable for pumping out basements or ships' holds or for use in situations where it would not be possible to place a normal pump of a type classified under paragraph 1 or 2 above.

A reduction of atmospheric pressure

Throat

Jet

Diagrammatic arrangement showing the operating principles of a jet pump

FUNCTION OF PRIMER The necessity for exhausting the air in the suction hose and pump casing, and so enabling the atmospheric pressure to force water up to the pump. As was shown earlier in this chapter, priming is only necessary with centrifugal pumps. Positive-displacement pumps are themselves capable of exhausting the air from the suction, and so have no need of a supplementary primer. They are for this reason frequently described as self-priming pumps.

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Centrifugal pumps cannot 'pump' air and are not, therefore, self-priming. A separate primer has to be provided, and is usually engaged by hand when required. Some types can, however, be arranged to engage and cut out automatically without any action on the part of the operator, and these are known as automatic primers.

TYPES OF PRIMER The priming devices suitable for use with centrifugal pumps are: 1. 2. 3. Reciprocating. Exhaust ejector. Rotary: a. Water ring. b. Sliding vane. 4. Water seal.

PRIMING METHODS The following is the priming methods: 1. by gravitation. Water supplies higher than the pump, which 'gravity' will push the water into the pump and the water will push the air out of the pump (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Priming methods by gravitation

2. Fire Hydrant. Under pressure from a water supply (fire hydrant), the water pressure will enter the pump at the same time will push the air from the pump (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Priming methods by Fire Hydrant

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3. by atmospheric pressure or primers. When the water level was below the pump, the primer tools need to push the air out of the pump. At the same time the atmospheric pressure will push water into the pump(Figure 3).

Figure 3. Priming methods by atmospheric pressure or primers

THE REASONS OF THE PUMP FAILURE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Strainer insufficiently submerged. Loose suction joints. Compound gauge control turned off. Pump drain plug loose or missing. Pump filler plug loose or missing. Delivery valve not closed or not seating. Air leaks in suction hose. Air leaks in gauge pipes. Primer clapper valve not seating (Exhaust Ejector Primer). Primer valve not open.

CONCLUCION On completion of this lesson the students shall be able to describe pump and primer.

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