Myths About Centrifugal Pumps
Venting or removing accumulated air in pipes is fine when the centrifugal pump is not running.
Centrifugal pumps have a relatively simple design. Rather than relying on pistons or valves, they use an impeller to impart energy and pressure on the transferred fluid. For this reason, they can maintain a steady and continuous flow of large volumes of fluids with low viscosity.
However, there are some myths surrounding these pumps:
Vent a running centrifugal pump
Venting or removing accumulated air in pipes is fine when the centrifugal pump is not running. This makes it easy for the pump to draw and move the fluid smoothly.
However, venting when the pump is running will prove problematic. Firstly, it pushes out the liquid in the pump, leaving air within. As a result, the centrifugal pump won’t be able to create a partial vacuum to draw the liquid back and continue pumping efficiently.
Secondly, the air in the suction line and pump leads to low pressure. Consequently, vapor bubbles begin to form, and when they collapse on the impeller and other parts, they cause damage.
Cool the ball bearings when they get hot
Centrifugal pump ball bearings can get hot. As such, cooling them appears like an intuitive solution. However, it causes more harm than good.
The rapid shift from high to low temperature causes the metal components in the pump to expand and contract unevenly. Additionally, cooling doesn’t solve the underlying problem. So, running the pump again still causes them to overheat. Repeated expansion and contraction wear out the pump components until they eventually fail.
Instead of forced cooling, it’s advisable to turn the pump off and let it cool gradually. Afterward, call a professional to investigate the problem that could be making the ball bearings overheat.
Shutting the discharge valve when starting the centrifugal pump saves power
While it’s true that starting a centrifugal pump with the discharge valve shut saves power, the results are negligible. For the record, a centrifugal pump works against an open discharge. For that reason, closing the valve goes against its method of operation. This, in turn, causes problems in the pump.
For instance, with the valve closed, the liquid gets trapped in the pump casing. As a result, excessive pressure builds up. Upon opening the discharge valve, the sudden rush of the liquid causes damage to the pump, pipes, and other components. Furthermore, this puts much stress on the pump, leading to a replacement sooner than expected.
Rely on a professional’s advice
A centrifugal pump works efficiently in pumping fluids. However, using it as intended goes a long way to ensuring it functions without breaking down regularly. As such, property owners should be cautious and not take anyone’s advice on how to run their pumps. When in doubt, consult a professional.
Pump Repair Services provides residential and commercial pump repair services for water well pumps, water feature pumps, transfer pumps, industrial irrigation pumps, and more, as well as custom water filtration services in the Orlando area. (Sorry, no pool pumps or sewer pumps.) We offer 24-hour emergency service. Call us at (407) 625-5499.
