Fault Analysis of Centrifugal Pumps Not Pumping Water
Centrifugal pumps are widely used in various industries as an efficient way of transporting liquid from point A to point B. One of the main problems when a centrifugal pump does not pump water is that it fails to make the move of liquid from one side to the other. It is important for centrifugal pumps to have certain conditions to work efficiently such as: the right flow rate, the right pump speed, sufficient pressure difference between the two sides, and the right pump head. This article will discuss the faults related to not pumping water in centrifugal pumps, the possible causes of this failure and the solutions to correct the problem.
The most common cause of a centrifugal pump not pumping water is a fault in the impeller. The impeller is the driven component of a centrifugal pump and is responsible for generating the necessary pressure differences on the two sides to make the pump work. The most common cause of a damaged impeller is a blockage. If there is an obstacle in the impeller that is not removed, it will reduce the amount of flow resulting in lesser pressure difference on two sides and the pump will not be able to move the liquid from one side to the other. Another potential cause of a damaged impeller is an uneven running or excessive wear of the pump parts.
Other causes for not pumping water in a centrifugal pump include incorrect flow rate, incorrect speed, insufficient pressure difference between the two sides, incorrect pump head, a worn out wear-ring, a seal or bearing failure, or a clogged or damaged suction or discharge end. To correct these issues, the concerned part needs to be accurately diagnosed and the affected components must be replaced or repaired, if required.
It is important to note that the size, design and speed of the centrifugal pump should be taken into consideration when troubleshooting the issue of not pumping water. The factor that needs to be checked first is whether adequate pressure is generated on the centrifugal pump, as this will determine whether the flow of liquid is sufficient and that the speed of the impeller is correct. If the pressure generated is not sufficient, the pressure difference between the two sides, might be too low and the pump may fail to move the liquid from one side to the other.
The next factor that needs to be fed upon is the speed of the impeller, as a too low or too high impeller speed can cause a malfunction of the centrifugal pump. The desired speed of the impeller must be set according to the volume of liquid to be transported in order to maintain its efficiency. In addition, it is important to ensure there are no blockages in the impeller as this can interfere with the functioning of the pump and prevent it from moving the liquid to its desired location.
The size of the pump can also play a role in the failure of the pump to move the liquid from one side to the other. The size of the centrifugal pump must match the requirements of the volume and flow rate of the liquid to be moved, otherwise, the pressure difference on the two sides will not be sufficient to make the pump move the liquid effectively.
Finally, the pump head also needs to be considered. If the pump head is too low, it will result in insufficient pressure and the centrifugal pump might fail to move the liquid to its desired location. Conversely, if the pump head is too high, the flow of the liquid may be restricted, making it difficult for the pump to move the liquid.
In conclusion, it is critical to ensure the above factors are taken into consideration when troubleshooting a centrifugal pump not pumping water. The impeller should be checked for any blockages, the flow rate, the pump speed, the pressure difference between the two sides and the pump head must be adjusted to the correct levels. If any of the components are damaged, they must be replaced or repaired as soon as possible to restore the function of the pump.
