Do you know centrifugal pumps in depth: symbology, technical indications and safety tips? In the following article, we at InoxMIM will detail the most important elements that you should take into consideration.

The chemical, cosmetics, and food industry sectors use centrifugal pumps in their mechanical processes. These pumps require a suitable maintenance plan that allows them not only to extend their useful life and achieve efficiency in their operation, but also to save costs for the company in costly repairs.

Centrifugal pump: prevention and maintenance symbology

Detecting centrifugal pump failures and carrying out preventive maintenance in a timely manner is essential for the normal operation of today’s industry. Implementing a maintenance plan for centrifugal pumps can prevent downtime in the operation of all or part of the plant.

When a company chooses preventive maintenance of centrifugal pumps, it benefits from reduced costs because the pumping equipment, in good condition, will require less repair in the future.

However, before performing this type of maintenance, it is necessary to consider that the performance and efficiency of the pump can be affected by the system in which it is installed and that the total efficiency of a centrifugal pump is the product of mechanical, volumetric and hydraulic efficiencies added together.

Tips for efficient maintenance

What are centrifugal pumps

Centrifugal pumps are a type of hydraulic pumps that transform mechanical energy into kinetic energy of pressure to a fluid. Centrifugal pumps increase the velocity of fluids so that they can travel long distances.

What aspects should be considered in a maintenance plan for centrifugal pumps?

Before checking the important points in a proper maintenance plan, the centrifugal pump’s environment, i.e. in which environment it is operating and how much it is exposed to, should be considered. This will help determine its performance, reliability, and efficiency.

To know the efficiency of the centrifugal pump that is already installed, mechanical, volumetric and hydraulic efficiency must be considered, the latter being the most essential factor in determining the overall efficiency. Among the activities for the correct maintenance of the centrifugal pump are the verification of gaskets and mechanical seals that will prevent leaks. In addition, it is significant to check the correct operation of the motor.

In ideal conditions, centrifugal pumps can operate indefinitely. Under adverse conditions, they often break down. For example, if the fluid being pumped is corrosive or contains abrasives, the pump will require more maintenance than is required under more favourable conditions. However, the life of any pump can be extended by proper maintenance procedures.

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Why do centrifugal pumps fail

Most premature damage to a pump is caused by contamination, incorrect lubrication or alignment problems.

Contamination: A pump can become contaminated by debris from the fluid being pumped or when pump accessories are handled with dirty hands. A less obvious form of contamination occurs when air or other gases are trapped in the pump.
Incorrect lubrication: Like most machinery, centrifugal pumps need oil or grease to lubricate the bearings, but they also have additional lubrication requirements. Pump packings and seals are typically lubricated by the fluid flow. All these lubrication needs must be strictly met if maximum service life is to be achieved.
Misalignment: The strict alignment formula is often ignored. Misalignment of the pump and drive element causes vibration and excessive bearing wear. It also places unnecessary stress on the shaft. Pumps should be aligned according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Routine operating checks on centrifugal pumps

The following circumstances generally require a daily check:

Suction filter (when used): Check the difference in pressure between the pressure gauges on each side of the strainer. If the pressure drop increases, the filter requires cleaning.
Pump flow: Check suction and discharge pressure gauges to maintain pump performance.
Leakage at gaskets: There should be some leakage at the gaskets to keep them lubricated and to prevent outside air from entering the collar. The leakage should be at least twenty drops per minute.

External Seal and Injection Pressure: If the pump uses an external source to lubricate the seals or packings, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to obtain the correct seal or injection pressure. Excessive hydraulic pressure can shorten the life of seals and gaskets.
Bearing temperature: Bearings that run too hot will wear prematurely and can cause damage to other accessories. On the other hand, liquid-cooled bearings should not be cooled too much, as condensation may occur and cause the bearings to rust. Check the temperature of the bearings with a pyrometer or thermometer. Many pump bearings normally run between 602C (1402F) and 6SQC (150 °F), which is too hot to touch.

What should be done at the weekly checks?

Shaft rotation: (only during periods of Inactivity). Whenever the pump is shut down for an extended period, rotate the shaft manually one and a quarter turns to lubricate the bearings and prevent the shaft from binding.
Auxiliary piping: Leakage at connections.

Vibration of shaft and bearings: Use un medidor de vibración manual para medir la vibración de los cojinetes y del eje. La vibración no deberá exceder de 0.002″.
Power consumption: Make checking the power consumption of the pump a routine part of the operating routine. Excessive power consumption is a sign that the pump alignment, bearings, and other accessories need to be checked.

Rely on InoxMIM technology and experience

If you are interested in our catalogue of centrifugal pumps, just contact us. Our team will advise and guide you on the models we have available and the attributes and singularities of each one of them.

We are convinced that at InoxMIM you will find the ideal centrifugal pump for your production plant. Trust in our experience and we will not let you down. Call us on +34 972 58 20 40 or write to us at [email protected]. We will be pleased to help you!