Centrifugal Pumps

Operation and Maintenance

Function of Pump

Process of adding energy to the fluid

to move from one place to another.
OR

Raising its pressure to transfer from

lower place To higher place.

Can a Centrifugal Pump suck liquid

on its own

NO, Centrifugal Pump is incapable of

sucking Liquids.

Pump & Head Terminology

Symbol
Variable & Unit
Q
P
Kw
HP
g
T
s
D
e
N
H
V
A
NPSH

Flow Capacity ( m3/Hr,LPH,LPS)

Pressure (Kg/Cm2,PSI)
Kilo Watt
Horse Power
Acceleration Due to Gravity(32.16 ft/Sec)
Temp.(Deg.Cent,Deg.F)
Specific Gravity of Fluid
Impeller Diameter
Pump Efficiency
Revolution per Minit(RPM)
Head (Mtr)
Velocity(Ft/Sec.)
Area (Cm2,m2)
Net Positive Suction Head( Ft,Mtr)

Method of Priming

Using Foot Valve

Using Vacuum Pump

Type of Pumps
(as per principle of pumping)
TWO DISNTICT CATEGORIES
1. Dynamic pumps
2. Positive Displacement pumps.

Dynamics pumps
Two Types
1. Centrifugal pumps
2. Axial Pumps.

Pumps Characterizing

Pumps are characterize by the way in

which energy is converted from the high
liquid velocity at the inlet into pressure
head in a diffusing flow passage.
Dynamic pumps have a lower efficiency
than positive displacement pumps but flow
rate is higher,Maintenance cost is
lower,operate at relatively higher speed
than Dynamic pumps.

Centrifugal Pump

In Centrifugal Pump, Recirculation of

Liquid does takes place.

Reciprocating Pump

In positive, liquid delivered has little

chance or No chance of recirculation.

Main Parts of Pump

Casing
Impeller
Shaft
Gland Pusher
Bearing
Oil Seal

Pump Design Parameters

Parameters :1. Flow capacity

2. Head
3. Power
4. Efficiency

NPSH

The absolute pressure at Eye of the

suction, is called Net Positive Suction
Head
NPSH = Atm. Pr (abs)- Vap. Pr. (abs)
- Frictional losses +Static
head

NPSH
Net Positive Suction Head
The NPSH should always be above
the vapor pressure of the liquid being
pumped.

Net Positive Suction Head---Available

Net Positive Suction Head--Required

Positive Head

Pum
p
Flow Direction

Centrifugal Pump
Pum
p

Suction Lift
Centrifugal Pump

CAVITATION

What Is Cavitation ?
When a liquid flows into a space where its
pressure is reduced to vapor pressure, it boils
and vapor pockets develop in it.These bubbles
are carried along until they meet a region of
high pressure, where they collapse. This is
called CAVITATION, and creates a very high
localized pressure that causes pitting of the
region.
The Available NPSH should be about 10 to 15
% higher than the required , No more and no
less.

Trouble shooting of CAVITATION

1.Avoid low pressure if at all possible.Pressurize the
Supply Tank
2.Reduce the fluid temperature.
3.Use a larger pipe diameter, and reduce minor
losses in the pipe.
4.Use special cavitation-resistant materials or
coatings.
5.Small amounts of air entrained into the fluid
systems reduce the amount of cavitation
damage.
6.The available NPSH should always be more than
the required NPSH.

Bad Effect of Cavitation

Lowers the efficiency of Fluid machine.

( Flow Reduces,Head reduces)
It is always accompanied by noise and vibrations.
Effect on the alignment of pumps and due to this
damaged equipment.
A sound like pebbles are being pumped.
When the bubble implodes, it may takes away
some metal.
Leave dent on the part where it implodes.

Effect of Specific Gravity

Any pump will deliver the same head
for a given Imp. dia and RPM but the
pressure developed will be different.

Continued..

If the Head is 30.5 mtrs.

3.05

2.29

3.66

Kg/c
m2
S.G 0.75

S.G 1.0

S.G 1.2

P = H X Sp.Gravity
10

Effect of Specific Gravity

It means Pressure is directly

proportional to Specific Gravity.

Type of Characteristic Curves

Flat Curve:
Different flow at same head

H1

H2

Q1

Q2

Head (Mtrs)

Flow (M3/hr)

Stable Curve or Rising Curve:

As the head is reduced flow increases

H1
H2

Head

Q1

Q2
Flow(M3/hr)

Steep Curve :

H2
H1

Q1 Q2
Flow (M3/hr)

Pumps working Off the Design

Below BEP
BE
P

Best Efficiency Point

Away BEP

Head

Flow

If operated, away from BEP

Development of Radial load, causing

pump shaft deflection thus damaging
Mech. seal faces.
Constant oscillatory flexing of Mech.
Seal component causes fatigue
failure and uneven wear of seal
faces.

Continued

Constant opening & closing of seal faces

also allows debris to enter thus scoring the
faces or adhering to them & causing them
to remain open & leaky.
Development of axial load on the impeller.
Radial load from impeller increases
exponentially as the pump is operated
away from BEP.

If operated, below BEP

Radial forces in the impeller
increases as operated closer to the
shut off.
Causes high vibration level & creates
tendency for the seal faces to open
during each revolution allowing
debris to enter.
Axial loading of pump increases
when run at low flow rates.

Axial loading causes bearing failure

and thus Mech. Seal.

Effect of operating pump away from

BEP
Axial thrust
Less
brg.life

H
e
a
d

Low seal life

BEP

Less seal life

Radial thrust
Low brg.life

Cavitation

Flow (m3/hr)

I-Vacuum in suction vessel :

Atmosphere

6.4 mtrs.

25 mtrs.

3 mtrs.

Static Head= (25-3)+6.4 = 28.4 mtrs.

II-Vacuum in discharge vessel :

Atmosphere

Vac.of 300
mm of Hg.
=4.1 mtrs.

20 mtrs.

4 mtrs.

Static Head= (20-4)-4.1 = 11.9 mtrs.

III-Positive pr. In suction vessel:

0.56 kg/cm2
18 mtrs.
1.8 mtrs.

Static Head= (18+1.8)-5.6 = 14.2 mtrs.

IV-Positive pr.In discharge vessel:

4 Kg/cm2

0.56 kg/cm2
15 mtrs.

3.5
mtrs.

Static Head= 15+3.5+40 = 58.5 mtrs.

Effect of Volute
BEP
Conc. Volute

BEP

Single Volute
Radial
Load
Double Volute
Flow

What is cavitation & How cavitation

occurs?
When pressure in the pump at any point
reduces, less than the vapour pressure of
the pumped liquid, liquid flashes to the
vapours, forming small bubbles in the
liquid & as liquid moves to the high pr.
Region, it implodes causing a high pr. Jet
of water to shoot from the middle of the
bubbles.

Life Cycle Cost Of Pump

2%

90%

8%

Efficiency of Impellers

Open Type----------------60%

Semi-Open Type----------65%

Closed Type---------------80%

Effect of dimensional variation on

Centrifugal Pumps

1.
2.
3.

In general the dimension of

THREE component are most
critical to pump performance.
Impeller
Casings running surfaces
Volute throat

Impeller
1.Impellers width
2.Impellers width variation
3.Running surface clearances
4.Impeller attachment
5.Underfiling adjustment

Casings running surfaces

1.Running surfaces not parallel to the
impellers surface

Volute Throat
1.Volute width
2.Running surfaces not parallel to the
centerline
3.Throat area
4.Concentricity of volute & shaft
5.Concentricity of discharge hole

Operation of centrifugal pumps

Following points to be taken care of:
1.Suction valves are always open
2.Strainers are in clean condition
3.Enough water at suction tank
4.Discharge valve in closed condition
5.Discharge valve should be open only
after motors goes to delta
connection.

Maintenance of centrifugal Pumps

Following pints to be taken care of :
1.To check rate of wear of internal
clearance.
2.Right type of lubrication.
3.Right quantity of grease.
4.Dechoking of strainer / filter
5.All fasteners should be checked
6.Alignment of the pump & motor
7.Condition of spider or snap wrap.