Applications: Horizontal Pumps

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A pump is a device that moves a gas or liquid from one area to an

This can be done by accelerating the liquid using centrifugal force
(centrifugal/rotodynamic pumps) or by grabbing a certain amoun
liquid and physically pushing it towards where it needs to go (pos
displacement pumps).

Pumps are perhaps the most widely used mechanical devices and
designs vary as much as their applications. They are used in dom
applications for washing machines, in municipalities for sewage a
water treatment management, in HVAC systems to control conde
collection, in industrial steam systems to return cooled water to th
(boiler feed pump), for irrigation, flood control, and even pumpin
out of your sinking ship. Some types of pumps are:

Centrifugal Pumps Positive Displacement Pumps

Overhung pump Reciprocating pump
Vertical pump Lobe pump
Split Case pump Helical pump
Between Bearing pump Screw pump
Diaphragm pump
Scroll pump
Peristaltic pump
Gear Pump
Nodding Donkey Pump

Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal pumps use a spinning propeller to increase the velocit

liquid. The propeller spins inside a chamber that has a larger volu
the outgoing pipes so that when the water, which is at an increas
velocity, enters the outgoing pipe it is funneled down, and thus
compressed. These pumps are generally classified as horizontal (p
above) or vertical (picture at top of page). Another common
classification/ nomenclature for these pumps is single stage versu
stage. The pump above is a single stage pump because the water
one impeller and then is ejected. In a multistage pump, the wate
pressure will be increased by one impeller and is then fed to anot
impeller to increase the pressure even more.

Centrifugal Pump Monitoring Options

440 Switch with External Sensor (Above)
Provides local contacts as well as 4-20mA output for interface wit
Sensor is located on pump while 440 switch is located in a more
electronic friendly environment.

SA6200 and 5535

Provides 4-20mA output for interface with a PLC / DCS. Dynamic
available from front panel for vibration analysis purposes. Provide
options for custom filters, local display/indication, or galvanic isola
ST5484E / ST5491E
The ST5484E provides for the simplest installation available. Since
loop-powered device, only two wires are needed for full operation
ST5484E is connected directly to a PLC / DCS. Optional filtering a
dynamic outputs are available. The ST5491E has a local indicator

Special Case - Large Vertical Pumps

Large pump applications, such as the one shown above, require a
thorough monitoring scheme than smaller applications. For exam
while it may be beneficial to monitor bearing temperatures of sma
pumps, it is a necessity for larger applications.

The Metrix solution provides a vibration sensor for all bearings, an

sensor to detect cavitations, and a DATAWATCH monitor. The
DATAWATCH monitors all vibration and temperature readings (inc
bearing RTDs and Motor Winding Temperatures [provided by oth
and compares them to pre-programmed setpoints in order to cha
state of Alarm and Danger relay outputs.

The DATAWATCH also provides trending of all signals, audit track

Ethernet and RS232/485 communications (Modbus/TCP), remova
memory storage, USB ports, and a color touch screen interface. M
can also provide junction boxes for wiring convenience as well as
DATAWATCH enclosures that are environmentally rated and have
inputs and outputs pre-wired to rear panel mounted terminal bloc

Special Case - Pumps with Journal Bearings

Some pumps, especially pumps that run at high speeds and / or h
loads, use journal bearings as opposed to rolling element bearing
Journal bearings use a layer of oil to isolate the shaft from the be
Therefore, the shaft is actually floating on a cushion of oil and ha
contact with any other metal. Because of the oil layer, a vibration
produced by the shaft does not have a path to travel to the mach
casing. That means that a seismic sensor placed on the case of th
cannot properly sense what is going on with the shaft.

This makes it necessary to use proximity sensors to detect shaft f

proximity probe mounts through the case of the machine and sen
position of the shaft relative to the probe tip. The pump casing ho
probe steady so that any movement in the shaft will cause the pr
probe / transmitter to give an indication. This type of measureme
termed “relative” because the shaft movement is being measured
relation to the machine casing.

Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive Displacement pumps handle liquids or gases in a much m

direct manner. These pumps use one of several methods to physi
grab a quantity of liquid and push it to where it needs to go. A
reciprocating pump operates in much the same way as a reciproc
compressor in that it uses a chamber filled with liquid (or gas) wh
compressed by a moving cylinder before the liquid is released into
 delivery system (piping). Gear pumps, vane pumps, helical pumps
Peristaltic pumps all use interlocking / rotating parts between whi
is trapped between and then pushed out of.

Generally speaking, positive displacement pumps are too small to

damaging vibration or are so inexpensive that a vibration monitor
system is un-economical. That’s not to say that a situation will ne
come up in which a positive displacement pump needs to be mon
for vibration. In this case, please consult the Metrix factory for
monitoring options.

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