Pumps (Types, Components, Maintenance)

Question 1

What is a Low Service pump?

Answer 1

Pumps to a low pressure area

A Positive Displacement Pump

Question 2

What is a High Service Pump?

Answer 2

Pumps to a high service area (to fill elevated tanks)

A Positive Displacement Pump

Question 3

What is a Well Pump?

Answer 3

Consists of “Line Shaft Turbine”, “Air Valve” (keeps air out of system, and “Air Pump” (for air line pressure gauge)
(A positive displacement pump)
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Question 4

What is a booster pump?

Answer 4

It increases water flow in the water systems

A Split Case (traditional centrifugal
A positive displacement pump)

Question 5

What are some chemical feed pumps?

Answer 5

A peristaltic pump - a.k.a. a roller pump like the ones used for the analyzers
LMI pump - solenoid driven (speed and stroke)… see diagram
Reciprocating Screw Pump

Question 6

Describe how a centrifugal pump works, draw Impeller, Volute, Suction, Discharge, and Impeller eye

Answer 6

HVLP –> HPLV
Inside the pump is an impeller, water enters the suction side and spirals out in a curved funnel (volute) that increases in area as it reaches the discharge

Question 7

How is energy passed in a centrifugal pump?

Answer 7

Motor –> Shaft –> Impeller –> Water
(friction)

Passes energy in water through friction

Question 8

What are bearings in a centrifugal pump? a.k.a. ball bearings

Answer 8

Bear the weight of the shaft, allows to rotate smoothly

Keeps shaft in place

Question 9

What is a lantern ring?

Answer 9

In the stuffing box: ring (around the shaft?) that receives pump water and dispenses through holes to lubricate, cool, and seal the packing - packing will heat up through friction of rotating shaft

Question 10

What is the mechanical seal?

Answer 10

Seals in water…? man i don’t know

Question 11

What is packing and where is it?

Answer 11

Controls leakage of water down the shaft

In the stuffing box

Question 12

What is the function of wear rings?

Answer 12

One stationary wear ring (Casing wear ring)
One rotating wear ring (Impeller wear ring)

Sacrificial, limit recirculation from discharge to suction side of impeller
Seal gap between Impeller and volute
Protect expensive impeller

Question 13

What is the Stuffing Box Gland (Packing Gland)?

Answer 13

tightens packing to create a seal

Question 14

What is a shaft sleeve?

Answer 14

Sacrificial
Protects pump shaft from mechanical damage
over shaft in stuffing box

Question 15

Describe the symptoms of cavitation and old packing in pumps

Answer 15

Air forms on the impeller and collapses-explodes
Small bubbles popping
Bubbles can become larger and get fucked

Need to reprime pump

Question 16

What are good operational and maintenance procedures in relation to Pump Packing?

Answer 16

tighten evenly, little at a time, manufacturer may suggest certain drop rate

Question 17

What are good operational and maintenance procedures in relation to Pump Bearings?

Answer 17

Some are greased
Some are Oiled
“as per manufacturer’s recommendation”

Question 18

What are good operational and maintenance procedures in relation to Pump Alignment?

Answer 18

Vibration Analysis - will identify problems before we can… like a stethoscope

Question 19

What is a possible cause for a Short Bearing Life?

Answer 19

Misalignment

Question 20

What is a possible cause for Cavitation?

Answer 20

Loses prime

Speed in excess of capacity

Question 21

What is a possible cause for a Short Packing Life?

Answer 21

Overtightening

debris from feed water (from lantern rings)

Question 22

What is a possible cause for a Vibration?

Answer 22

Misalignment

Question 23

What is a possible cause for Losing Prime?

Answer 23

Leaky foot valve (vacuum system not working right)

Hole in Case

Question 24

What is a possible cause for a pump not starting?

Answer 24

Loss of SCADA communication, electrical issue

Question 25

What is a possible cause for a reduced rate of discharge?

Answer 25

Pump wear