Chapter 15 - Pumps Flashcards
What are the applications for pumps
- machine to convey fluids/semi-fluids
- feed water to boilers
- convey/meter fuel and chemicals
- circulate coolants and condensates
What are the two basic classification of pumps
- dynamic pumps
- positive displacement pumps
How does a dynamic pump move fluid?
- moved fluid by using centrifugal force to spin it outwards
How do centrifugal pumps react when pressure builds beyond their ability to overcome it?
- they allow the fluid to slip after the required pressure is built up
What are the 4 categories of centrifugal pumps?
- radial
- mixed
- axial
- peripheral
Define - Pump head
- the pressure that a pump has to overcome to be able to move
Define - Static suction lift
- the vertical distance from the liquid supply level to the pump center line when the liquid supply level is below the pump center line
Define - Static suction head
- the vertical distance from the liquid supply level to the pump center line when the liquid supply level is above the pump center line
Define - Static discharge head
- the vertical distance from the pump center line to either the surface of the liquid in the discharge tank or to the point of discharge
Define - Total static head
- the vertical distance from the liquid supply level to the surface of the liquid in the discharge tank or to the point of discharge
Define - Frictional loss
- the pressure needed by the fluid to overcome friction
Define - Velocity head
- the force causing the fluid to flow through a chamber which is due to the velocity of the fluid
Define - Dynamic suction lift
= static suction lift + velocity head - all the frictional losses in the suction pipes and fittings
Define - Dynamic suction head
= static suction head - velocity head + all frictional losses in the suction pipes and fittings
Define - Dynamic discharge head
= static discharge head + velocity head + all frictional losses in the suction pipes and fittings
Define - Total dynamic head
- the term most used in industry to describe a pump’s head
- for pumping systems which have suction lift:
= dynamic suction lift + dynamic discharge head - for pumping systems which have suction head:
= dynamic discharge head - dynamic suction head
Describe vapour binding and the reasons for it
- if pressure on the suction side of a pump drops below the vapour pressure of the liquid, vapour forms. This could partially or completely stop liquid flow into the pump. The pump is then said to be vapour-bound.
Causes:
- insufficient suction head
- high suction lift
- excessive friction head
- high liquid temperature
Describe cavitation and its results
- If pressure in side a centrifugal pump drops below the vapour pressure, vapour bubbles form. The bubbles flow with the liquid until they reach an area of higher pressure. ( normally at the outer area of the impeller). They then collapse, producing a shockwave. This process is called cavitation.
- during cavitation, the bubbles collapse (implode). Liquid then suddenly fills the space, hitting and eroding the surface. This action causes vibration and noisy operation. if continued, this erosion causes the impeller to become imbalanced, which mechanically destroys the pump (bearing failure).
How are vapour binding and cavitation prevented?
- to prevent cavitation and vapour binding, and to ensure maximum flow through the pump, suction pressure must be greater than the vapour pressure of the pumped liquid. This required pressure at pump suciton is called the “net positive suction head” (NPSH).
How is a pump’s capacity determined?
- determined by the volume of liquid delivered per unit of time. ex. US gallons per minute
How is the slip factor and the pump’s volumetric efficiency expressed?
- percentage of theoretical capacity
How is the pump’s rating and size expressed?
- rated according to the capacity at a given head and speed (rpm).
- size is expressed as the diameter of the discharge nozzle, suction nozzle and impeller in inches or mm.
Describe the operating principles of radial flow volute pumps
- Radial flow pumps move the liquid out radially from the shaft’s axis. In volute pumps, the rotating impeller discharges the fluid into a spiral shaped cavity called a volute.
Action:
- Fluid is fed into the centre (eye) of the impeller and flows into blades.
- the rotating impeller causes fluid to discharged at its circumference at an increased velocity.
- as the fluid leaves the impeller, it moves outward at right angles to the shaft’s axes. It is flung into the volute at high velocity.
- because the chamber widens, the velocity of the fluid decreases and part of the velocity head is transformed into pressure.
Compare diffuser pumps to volute pumps.
- diffuser pumps; are used in pump casings to create multiple volutes. They are stationary curved vanes in the casing which redirect the flow of the liquid. The vanes direct the flow outwards towards the discharge nozzle.
- volute pumps; same principle without the stationary diffuser vanes, and therefore a single volute translating the decreased velocity into pressure.
Describe the operating principles of axial-flow and mixed-flow pumps.
axial-flow;
- the impeller moves liquid through the casing without changing its direction. The pump develops its head by the lifting action of the vanes on the liquid. The liquid moves through the casing parallel to the shaft.
- Pump is usually mounted vertically, usually below surface of liquid being pumped.
- large volume output flow, low discharge head.
mixed-flow;
- develops its discharge head by using both centrifugal force and lifting action of the vanes on the liquid.
- pump is mounted vertically or horizontally.
- low-head, high-capacity applications.
How is greater pressure developed through multiple stages?
- the discharge of one impeller is connected to the suction of the next impeller and so on.
- this action increases the velocity of the liquid each time it passes through a stage thus pressure is increased at the discharge outlet.
Describe the operating principles of a regenerative turbine pump.
Action
- the liquid enters at the outer edge of the impeller
- as the impeller rotates, the vanes travel in machined channel in the casing. This gives the liquid a forward motion.
- As the liquid speeds up, centrifugal force throws it into the channel.
- Because of the channel’s shape, the liquid returns between the vanes.
- This process is repeated several times. As a result, the liquid follows a spiral path around the outer wall of the casing, to the discharge outlet
- each time the liquid re-enters a vane, it receives an impulse. This series of impulses increases the pressure gradually from suction to discharge.
Compare the discharge pressure of a regenerative turbine pump to a similar radial flow pump?
- The regenerative turbine pump can develop a discharge pressure several times larger than a radial flow pump can with the same diameter and speed
Describe the types of casings used to encase pumps.
Split Casings
- axially split casings are split along the axis of the shaft. The suction and discharge nozzles are usually in the lower half of the casing. The upper half is easily lifted for inspection.
- radially split casings are split at right angles to the shaft.
Barrel casings
- In a multi-stage centrifugal pump, the inner casing is fitted into an outer casing. The barrel casing has no axial joints. The space between the two casings is subjected to the high discharge pressures, which tends to hold the sections of the inner casing together.
What pump casing materials would you order to pump water?
- cast iron casing with bronze fittings
What pump casing materials would you order to pump mild acids?
- bronze
What pump casing materials would you order to pump moderate alkalis?
- Ni-resist
- stainless steel
What pump casing materials would you order to pump concentrated solids in slurry?
- chrome steel
- Ni-hard
- manganese steel
What type of impeller has a partial shroud on one side?
- open impeller
What type of impeller has shrouds on both sides?
- closed, single-inlet impeller
What type of impeller has inlets on both sides?
- closed, double-inlet impeller
What type of impeller has a mechanical screw?
- screw-style impeller
How are impellers mounted and held on the pump shafts?
- mounted either on the end of the shaft or mid-shaft
When mounted on the end of the shaft the impeller
- is screwed on to a threaded shaft and butting against a shoulder. The hand of the thread must have a tightening action as the shaft rotates.
- has a parallel bore with a sliding fit on the shaft. It is held in position by a shoulder or sleeve on one side, and a keeper (retainer) plate and nut (with a locking device) on the inlet side. A key is needed for positive drive.
- Is installed on a tapered shaft. A key is also used for driving. A nut (with a locking device) and a keeper plate is used to hold the impeller on the taper.
When mounted mid-shaft the impeller is driven by a key and held in place by
- a sliding fit against a shoulder retained by sleeves and a nut.
- a sliding fit against sleeves and retained by nuts on both ends of the shaft.
What pump and impeller type would you use for water at moderate temperatures?
Pump
- Single or double suction centrifugal pump
Impeller
- closed except for very small capacities
What pump and impeller type would you use for hot hydrocarbons?
Pump
- single suction centrifugal pump; often special refinery pumps designed for high temperatures.
Impeller
- closed with large inlets
What pump and impeller type would you use for pulpy solids?
Pump
- single suction centrifugal pump; use double suction with special end-clearance wearing fits only on very light concentrations of solids.
Impeller
- closed (open was the standard until end-clearance wearing fits changed)
How is internal leakage prevented between the discharge and suction side of a pump?
- The clearance between the casing and the suction passage of the impeller must be kept to a minimum
What happens when the wear rings in a pump wear out?
- If wear exceeds 3x the initial clearance, the pump loses too much efficiency.
How are wear rings fastened in a pump?
- a shrink fit
- a spigot, a groove or pins
- screw threads