POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

S.
No.

PROBLEM

POTENTIAL CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

01

No flow

Pump not primed

Remove gas from pumping line and

add fluid

Drive unit turning pump in

the wrong direction

Reverse motor

Insufficient NPSH

Increase suction line diameter,

Increase suction head and/or reduce
length

A bye-pass valve is open

Close the valve

Worn rotors

Fit new rotors

Fluid vaporizing in suction

line

Increase NPSH by increasing suction

line diameter, use a simpler piping
with lesser turns and/or reduce length

High process temperature

Reduce temperature or install

equipment with better high
temperature endurance

02

03

Low discharge
pressure

Excessive
temperature and/or
rapid temperature
change

S.
No.

PROBLEM

POTENTIAL CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

04

Excessive noise
or vibration

Pump and driver are misaligned Align the pump and driver
Foundation or anchor bolts
have become loose

Repair foundation/tighten anchor bolts

Pipework is not properly

supported

Install necessary supports

Pump is cavitating

Provide sufficient NPSH

Failed bearing

Install new bearing

Pump speed to high

Regulate pump speed

05

Seal leakage

Chemical corrosion / attack.

Too high discharge pressure.
Too high temperature.
Pump / shaft vibration.
Incorrect fitting.
Incorrect selection of seal
materials

For solving any seal leakage problem it is

advisable to adopt a systematic approach
as follows
1. Inspect the entire seal
2. Examine the wear track
3. Examine the faces
4. Inspect the seal drive

06

Excessive
discharge
pressure

Valves are closed or there is an

obstruction in the discharge
pipework for example strainer
of filter is clogged

Check for obstructions i.e. closed valve,

clogged filters etcetera and fix if there are
any problems

S. No.

PROBLEM

01

Insufficient Discharge
Pressure

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
POTENTIAL CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

Cavitation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Clogged impeller

1. Remove obstruction
2. Clean impeller

Entrained Air

1. Check for suction and seal leakages

2. Replace seals, gaskets, if required

Insufficient Suction
pressure

1. Keep the suction close to the bottom

2. Compress the liquid in the tank

Leakages in pipes and

seals

1. Replace Gaskets, seals

2. Tighten connections

Wrong rotation

1. Check rotation
2. Reverse direction, if necessary

Speed too low

1. Increase driver speed, if possible.

2. Use large pump

High viscosity

1. Heat fluid

Increase suction pressure

reduce suction temperature
reduce impeller speed
reduce head loss in suction pipe
Reduce flow rate

S. No. PROBLEM

POTENTIAL CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

02

Cavitation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Damaged impeller
and/or shaft

Disassemble the pump and replace

damaged components

Soft foundations

Tighten hold-down bolts of base,

pump and motor. Recheck
alignment.

Worn bearings

Disassemble and replace the bearings

Improper alignment

Align the pump and motor shaft

Loose piping supports

Anchor suction and discharge piping

according to HI standards

Partially clogged
impeller causing
imbalance

1. Remove obstruction
2. Align the impeller

Excessive noise
and vibrations

Increase suction pressure

reduce suction temperature
reduce impeller speed
reduce head loss in suction pipe
Reduce flow rate

S.
No.

PROBLEM

POTENTIAL CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

03

No discharge

Pump not primed

1. Verify suction pipe is

submerged
2. Increase suction pressure
3. Open suction valve
4. Re-prime the pump

Wrong direction of rotation

Reverse motor leads

Valves closed

Open all suction and discharge

valves

Air leak in suction line

1. Tighten connections
2. Check gaskets, seals and
replace if required
3. Ensure that the suction pipe is
submerged

Clogged strainer

Clean strainer

Clogged impeller

Disassemble and remove

blockage

Bypass valve open

Close bypass valve

Improper alignment

Re-align pump and driver

Improper lubrication

Check lubricant level and quality

04

High bearing
temperature

S.
No.

PROBLEM

POTENTIAL CAUSES

SOLUTIONS

05

Excessive power
consumption

Fluid viscosity higher than

specified

1. Heat fluid to reduce viscosity

2. Reduce pump speed
3. Increase driver horsepower

Total head greater than

specified

1. Increase pipe diameter

2. Decrease pipe run

Rotating parts binding or

severely
worn

Disassemble and replace worn parts

Abrasives in fluid

1. Install suction strainer

2. Limit solids concentration
3. Reduce pump speed or use larger
pump
4. running at lower speed

Corrosion wear

Use materials of construction that are

acceptable for fluid being pumped

Extended dry running

Install power sensor to stop pump

Static seal failure caused by

chemical incompatibility or
thermal
breakdown

Use O-rings or gaskets made of

material
compatible with fluid and temperature
of

06

07

Rapid pump wear

Excessive product
leakage