11/01/09

Maintenance and Operation of Pumps

The course covered the maintenance and operation of pumps, highlights the detailed
operation of different pump types and practices.
The course includes the following:
Pump Fundamentals:
- Classification of Pumps.
- Rotodynamic Pumps.
- Positive Displacement Pumps.
Pump Selection and Specification
- Performance Characteristic Curve.
- Cavitation.
- Sealing Method of Pumps.
- Troule Shooting.
1. Rotodynamic Pump
!ased on laded impellers, which rotate within the fluid to impart a tangential
acceleration to the fluid and a conse"uent increase in the energy of the fluid.
Classification of Rotodynamic Pumps
2. Positie !isplacement Pump
Positive displacement pump causes a li"uid or gas to move y trapping a fi#ed
amount of fluid or gas and then forcing that trapped volume into the discharge pipe.
Classification of Positie !isplacement Pumps
". Pump Selection and Specification
$n overview of and understanding of the differentiation etween Centrifugal Pump
and Positive Displacement Pump emphasised in term of Performance, %low Rate
and &fficiency:
%ig '()* Charts represents Performance, %low rate + &fficiency.
#. Caitation
,The term Cavitation implies a dynamic process of formation of ules inside the
li"uid, their growth and suse"uent collapse as the li"uid flows through the pump-
The concept of cavitation and its effects on pumps e#emplified through video session
in the classroom.
%ig '()* .mpeller Cavitation Regions.
There are two types of ule formation inside the li"uid:
/.0. $aporous Caitation:
vaporous cavitation is a common form of
cavitation found in process plants. 1enerally,
resulted from insufficiency of the availale.
#.2. %aseous Caitation:
1as ules are formed due to the presence of dissolved gases in the li"uid
that eing pumped2 generally air.
#.". Suction Caitation:
Suction cavitation occurs when the pump suction is under a low*
pressure3high*vacuum condition where the li"uid turns into a vapor at the eye
of the pump impeller.
#.#. !isc&ar'e Caitation:
Discharge cavitation occurs when the pump discharge pressure is e#tremely
high, normally occurring in a pump that is running at less than 045 of its est
efficiency point.
(. Pump Sealin'
Sealing of pumps outlined during the course as a 6ey role in pump maintenance.
Soft Pac6ing
Mechanical Seal
Mechanical seal Classification:
%ig '()* Cavitation Steps
Pusher Mechanical Seal 7on*Pusher Mechanical Seal