Chapter 10

Pumps

Article 10.1 General Requirements

10.1.1 Scope. This standard deals with the selection and installation of pumps supplying water for domestic,
industrials, for private and/or public fire protection. Items include water supplies, suction, discharge and auxiliary
equipment, power supplies, electric drive control: internal combustion engine drive and control acceptance test,
operations and maintenance. This chapter does not contain system water supply capacity and pressure
requirements.

10.1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to provide a reasonable degree technical knowhow, and safety,
through installation requirements for pumps base on sound engineering principles, test data and field experience.
Guidelines are established for the design, installation and maintenance for pumps, drivers and associated
equipment. This standard endeavours to continue the excellent record that has been established by pumps
installation and to meet the needs of changing technology.

10.1.5 Installation of pumping equipment to supply buildings, from existing water supply should only be allowed if
there is always water in the mains to prevent contamination of water system when air gains entrance due to
negative pressure created by pumping.

10.1.6 A shut off valve followed by a check valve shall be placed between the suction of pump and water mains to
prevent any return of water to mains when pump is stopped.

10.1.7 To maintain water pressure in all floors of the buildings, the following systems may be used:

10.1.7.1 Overhead Tank Supply. A water tank may be installed above the roof of the building or by
separate tower for the purpose. Water from the water mains is pumped to the tank and the building draws its
supply from overhead tank.

(a) Suitable float switch or other devices should be installed with the tank to stop or start operation of
pump depending on water level in the tank.

(b) A check valve should be installed between the pump and tank.

(c) Water tank should be provided with an overflow pipe, leading to storm drain and a vent properly
protected from insects.

(d) Water tank should be fully covered to keep out flying debris and to prevent growth of moss.

(e) For multi-storey buildings, suitable pressure reducing valves should be supplied to regulate water
pressure for each floor.

10.1.7. Pneumatic Tank. The tank is an unfired pressure vessel, initially full of air, into which water from
mains is pump.

(a) A suitable pressure switch should stop pump when pressure required is attained.
 (B) An air volume control device should be installed to replenish air absorbed by water under pressure to
maintain correct air volume in tank.

(c) Suitable air valve to take out or replenish air in tank should be installed on top of tank.

(d) A tank should be designed for maximum total dynamic pressure required multiplied by two to provide
for water hammer. Factor of safety should not be less than five.

(e) For tanks of 3785 litres or more a separate air compressor should be installed to replenish air absorbed
by the water.

(f) For figuring equipment, pipes fitting and valves, the right pressure ratings should correspond to total
dynamic head multiplied by two to cover water hammer effect.

10.2.21 Centrifugal Pump. A pump in which the pressure is developed principally by the action of centrifugal force.

10.2.23 In-Line Pump. A centrifugal pump whose drive unit is supported by the pump having its suction and
discharge flanges on approximately the same centre.

10.2.24 Horizontal Pump. A pump with the shaft normally in a horizontal position.

10.2.25 Horizontal Split-Case Pump. A centrifugal pump characterized by a housing which is split parallel to the
shaft.

10.2.28 Submersible Pump. A vertical turbine pump with the pump and motor closed coupled and design to be
installed underground, as in the case of the deepwell pump.

10.2.33 Static Water Level. The level with respect to the pump of the body of water from which it takes suction
when the pump is not in operation.

10.2.34 Pumping Water Level. The level, with respect to the pump, of the body of water from which it takes
suction when the pump is in operation.

10.3.2 Centrifugal Pumps. A centrifugal is a machine which the pumping action is accomplished by imparting
kinetic energy to the fluid by a high speed revolving impeller with vanes and subsequently converting this kinetic
energy into pressure energy either by passing the fluid thru a volute casing or thru diffuser vanes.

After the conversion is accomplished, the fluid is discharged from the machine.

When the kinetic energy is converted to pressure energy by means of the volute shape of casing, the
pumps are called volute centrifugal pumps. When the conversion of kinetic energy to pressure energy occurs in the
passage of the fluid thru stationary diffusers vanes, the pumps are called diffuser centrifugal pumps.

10.3.2.1 Basic Parts of a Centrifugal Pump.

Impeller Imparts velocity to the liquid resulting from centrifugal force as the impeller is rotated.

Casing Gives direction to the flow from the impeller and converts this velocity energy into pressure
energy which is usually measured in feet of head.

Shaft Transmit power from the driver to the impeller.

 Shaft Sleeve - Protects the shaft where it passes through the stuffing box. Usually used in pumps with
packing but often eliminated it mechanical seals are employed.

Wearing Rings Keeps internal recirculation down to a minimum. Having these rings as replaceable
wearing surface permits renewal of clearances to keep pump efficiencies high.

Bearings Accurately locate shaft and carry radial and thrust loads.

Frame - To mount unit rigidly and support bearing. In most single, suction pumps this is a separate piece.
In many double suction pumps, the support is through feet cast as part of the casing.

Coupling Connects the pump to the driver.

10.3.2.2 Specific Speed. Specific speed is a type of characteristics of centrifugal pumps and is defined as the speed
in rpm at which a centrifugal pump would run, if reduced proportionately in size, as to deliver a rated capacity of
3.785 liters per minutes against a total dynamic head of 0.305 meter.

10.3.2.3 Cavitation. Cavitation is a phenomenon which occurs in a centrifugal pump when the pressure at any
point inside a pump drops below the vapour pressure corresponding to the temperature of the liquid, resulting in
the formation of bubbles. These vapour bubbles are carried along with the following liquid, and collapse with
tremendous shock when a region of higher pressure is reached.

The effects of cavitation are:

(a) pitting due to chemical reaction between gases and metal,

(b) noise accompanying the collapse of the vapour bubbles.

(c) vibration of the unit

(d) decreased capacity.

These effects are detrimental to smooth pump operation, and hence the occurrence of the cavitation
should be avoided.

In order to avoid cavitation, the net positive suction head (NPSH) of an installation should be at least
equal to or greater than the NPSH of the pump.

10.3.5 Deep Well Pumps:

10.3.5.1 Deep well may be divided into plunger or reciprocating, turbine, ejector-centrifugal types and air
lifts.

(a) Plunger Pumps. Modern plunger pumps are refinement of the old hand pumps that have played such
an important role in country-home and small town water supply from wells. A ball valve, plunger, and check valve
to fill the void. When the plunger is lowered, the check valve close and traps the fluid in the pump, and it is forced
up through the valve in the plunger, to be lifted on the next upward stroke of the plunger.

(b) Turbine Pumps. These pumps represent the application of vertical centrifugal pumps to deep well
service and are built for heads up to 305 meter and for capabilities up to 20495 liters per minute. The turbine
pump includes two principals parts; the head, comprising a vertical driving motor, discharge connection, and step
bearing and the pumping unit. The pump unit is that part installed under the pump unit is that part installed under
the pump head below the surface of the ground. It comprises the pump column, shafting, and pump stages, the
latter consisting of the bowls and impellers. A type of turbine pump wherein the motor is below the turbine bowls
is called the submersible motor pumps. In this set-up the propelling shaft is very short and the unusually long,
small-diameter motor operates submerged at all times in the well water. However, the liquid pumped does not
come in contact with the electrical parts on motor bearings, as these are enclosed in an oil-filled case with a
mercury seal where the shaft passes through at the top. The turbine and the submersible motor form a compact
unit that is attached to and supported by the discharge pipe.

(c) Ejector-Centrifugal Pump: A type of deep-well pump that has come into wide use for small capacities
combines a single stage centrifugal pump at the top of the well and an ejector or jet located down in the water,
This is best suited where the lifts is 7.6 meters or over and capacities up to 190 liters per minute net discharge. The
amount of water required to flow down the pressure pipe for jet operation increases as the lift from well-water
level to the pump increases.

(d) Air Lifts. Another method of pumping wells is by air lifts with compressed air being admitted to the
well to lift water to the surface, for successful operation of the system, the discharge pipe must have its lower end
submerged in the well water. The amount of submergence before air is admitted will vary from 70 percent for 6.1
meter lifts to 40 percent for 214 meter lift. When air is admitted to a well, the water recedes from the level of
static head to the bottom of the discharge pipes. This is placed column of liquid rises up the discharge pipe as the
air flow continues, it enters the pipe, aerating the water and lowering the specific gravity of the mixture. Pressure
in the well is momentarily decreased and then increased as the bottom end of the pipe is uncovered and covered.
The cycle repeats rapidly, producing a nearly constant flow from the top of the discharge pipe.

10.5.4 Pump Foundation and Alignment:

Pumps should be installed properly. It is very important that the pump and driver be provided with rigid
foundation, and the pump and driver are aligned.

10.5.5 A substantial foundation is important in maintaining alignment. The foundation should preferably be made
of reinforce concrete.

10.5.6 If pumps and rivers were shipped from the factory with both machines mounted on a common base plate,
they were accurately aligned before shipment. All base plates are flexible to some extent and, therefore, must not
be relied upon to maintain the factory alignment. Realignment is necessary after the complete unit has been
levelled on the foundation and again after the grout has set and foundation bolts have been tightened. The
alignment should be check after the unit is piped and rechecked periodically. To facilitate accurate field alignment,
most manufactures either do not dowel the pumps or divers on the base plate before shipment, or at most dowel
the pump only.

After the pump and unit has been placed on the foundation the coupling halves should be disconnected.
The coupling should not be reconnected until alignment operations have been completed.

A flexible coupling should not be used to compensate for misalignment of the pump and driver shafts. The
purpose of the coupling is to compensate for temperature changes and to permit end movement of the shafts
without interference with each other while transmitting power from the driver to the pump.

The permissible amount of misalignment will vary with the type of pump and driver.
 The best method for putting the coupling halves in final accurate alignment is by the use of a dial
indicator.

When the alignment is correct, the foundation bolts should be tightened evenly but not too firmly. The
unit can then be grouted to the foundation. The base plate should be completely filled with grout, and it is
desirable to grout the levelling pieces, shims, or wedges in place. Foundation bolts should not be fully tightened
until the grout hardened, usually about 48 hours after pouring.

After the grout has set and the foundation bolts have been properly tightened, the unit should be
checked for parallel and angular alignment and, if necessary, corrective measures taken. After the piping of the
unit has been connected, the alignment should be checked again.

The direction of driver rotation should be checked to make a certain that it matches that of the pump. The
corresponding direction of rotation of the pump is indicated by a direction arrow on the pump casing.

The coupling halves can then be reconnected. With the pump properly primed, the unit then should be
operated under normal operating conditions until temperatures have stabilized. It then should be shut down and
immediately checked again for alignment of the coupling. Angular alignment check must be made with coupling
halves disconnected and again after they are reconnected.

After the units has been in operation for about 10 hours or three months, the coupling halves should be
given a final check for misalignment caused by pipe or temperature strains. If the alignment is correct, both pump
and driver should be dowelled to the base plate. Dowel location is very important and the manufacturers
instructions should be obtained especially if the unit is subjected to temperature.

The unit should be checked periodically for alignment. If the unit does not stay in line after being properly
installed the following are possible causes:

(a) Settling, seasoning, or springing of the foundation. Pipe strains distorting or shifting the machine.

(b) Wear of the bearings.

(c) Springing of the base plate by heat from an adjacent steam pipe or from a steam turbine.

(d) Shifting of the building structure due to variable loading or other causes.

It may be necessary to slightly readjust the alignment from time to time while the unit and foundation are
new.

10.5.7 Supervision of Installation. Satisfactory operation of vertical turbine-type pumps is dependent to a large
extent upon careful and correct installation of the unit; therefore, it is recommended that this work be done under
the direction of a representative of the pump manufacturer.

10.5.8 Pump Maintenance and Servicing. Pumps like any other machines requires regular preventive maintenance
and servicing. The following tables are the list of the possible cases of the troubles, may be experienced during and
after the installation of the pumping system.

Reference:
PME Code Book