Centrifugal Pumps

INTRODUCTION, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

Introduction

A pump is a Machine that adds Energy

or Pressure to the fluid.

Divided into two Categories:

1.

Reciprocating Pumps

2.

Dynamic Pumps

Centrifugal

pumps fall into the

category of Dynamic Pumps

Dynamic

Pumps require Less

Maintenance and they have High
Flow Rate

Construction of Centrifugal Pumps

Main parts of the Centrifugal

Pumps are:
1.

Shaft

2.

Bearing

3.

Impeller

4.

Wear Rings

5.

Casing

6.

Seals

Shaft

To Transmit the
power from Prime
Mover to Impeller

Bearings

To support the weight of

Shaft

To bear Axial and Radial

Thrust

Following types of Bearings

are generally used:
1.

Self-Aligning Ball Bearing

2.

Angular Contact Ball

Bearing

3.

Roller Bearings

Impeller

Primary Source of the

Pumping Action

Increases the Pressure of

the Fluid

Wear Rings

Maintain the Pump

Efficiency

Prevents the Wearing of

Impeller and Casing

Sealing
Why Sealing is Required?

To stop the leakage of the Fluid.

Types of Sealing:
1.

Mechanical Seals

2.

Packing

Packing

Leakage is stopped by
Stuffing the Soft, Flexible
material

Require more
Maintenance

Allow more leakage than

Mechanical Seal

Mechanical Sealing
Three main parts of Mechanical Seal
are:
1. Stationary Ring
2. Rotatory Ring
3. Compression Ring

Principle of Operation
Volute Type:

Liquid enters through eye

Rotation of Impeller adds

energy to the Liquid

The velocity of Liquid

Increases

Volute type casing of the

pump causes the
conversion of Velocity into
Pressure

Principle of Operation
Diffuser type

Impeller increases the

velocity of the fluid

The Fluid is then guided by

the Diffuser out through the
Discharge

Direction of Rotation of Impeller

Volute Casing Design decides the Direction of Rotation

Priming

A Pump cannot suck liquid on its own, its should be Primed first.

Priming involves:
1.

Removal of Air from the suction pipe

2.

Filling it with the liquid

This is because the centrifugal pumps are designed only for Liquids

Priming Methods:
1.

Foot Valve

2.

Vacuum Pump

Priming Methods
Priming by Foot Valve

Priming by Vacuum Pump

NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head)

NPSH:
Meters

Remaining amount of the available Energy available at the suction of the Pump in

NPSH (Net positive suction Head)

There are two aspects of the NPSH:
1.

NPSHA (Net Positive Suction Head Available)

2.

NPSHR (Net Positive Suction Head Required)

NPSHA is the Energy available at the Suction

NPSHR is the Energy required to overcome the Internal Pressure Drop and to
maintain the liquid pressure above its vapor pressure.

NPSHA should be greater than NPSHR for proper functioning of the pump.

Lubrication of Bearing Housing

Grease Lubrication:

Better in 1500 RPM speed pumps

Hard to change the Grease

Bearing may heat up the Grease causing it

to leak

Oil Lubrication:

Better in 2900 RPM speed pumps

Easy to change

Cannot be used in Vertical pumps

Startup

Check the Lubrication and Cooling system

Check the Rotation of Prime Mover

Close the Discharge Valve

Open the Suction Valve

Start the Pump

Slowly open the Discharge Valve

Shutdown

Turn Off the prime mover

Turn off cooling and lubrication system if any

Open Discharge and Suction valve

Drain off the pump