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Centrifugal Pump Troubleshooting Guide

This document provides a troubleshooting guide for centrifugal pumps. It lists common symptoms of issues like insufficient discharge pressure, intermittent operation, and vibration/noise. For each symptom, possible causes are identified, such as cavitation, a clogged impeller, misalignment, or internal wear. Recommended remedies are also provided, such as increasing suction pressure, slowing the pump speed, or inspecting and replacing worn parts. The guide is intended to help identify and resolve issues affecting centrifugal pump performance and reliability.

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Fahad Maqsood
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775 views2 pages

Centrifugal Pump Troubleshooting Guide

This document provides a troubleshooting guide for centrifugal pumps. It lists common symptoms of issues like insufficient discharge pressure, intermittent operation, and vibration/noise. For each symptom, possible causes are identified, such as cavitation, a clogged impeller, misalignment, or internal wear. Recommended remedies are also provided, such as increasing suction pressure, slowing the pump speed, or inspecting and replacing worn parts. The guide is intended to help identify and resolve issues affecting centrifugal pump performance and reliability.

Uploaded by

Fahad Maqsood
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Centrifugal Pump Troubleshooting Guide

Table 4-6 Troubleshooting Guide -- Centrifugal Process Pumps Symptoms Symptoms D C B A Insufficient Disch. Pressure . Intermittent Operation . Insufficient Capacity . No Liquid Delivery . Possible Causes # A B Pump Is Cavitating 1 2 1 (Symptom For Liquid Vaporizing In Suction System) -Horizontal Pumps C 1 D E F 9 Short Bearing Life Short Mech. Seal Life Vibration & Noise G 1 E F G A B C D Table 4-6 (cont.) Symptoms Insufficient Disch. Pressure . Intermittent Operation . Insufficient Capacity . No Liquid Delivery . Possible Causes Strainer Partially Clogged Pump Impeller Clogged Suction And/Or Discharge Valve(s) Closed Viscosity Too High # 7 8 9 A B 3 8 C D E F G Symptoms Short Bearing Life Short Mech. Seal Life Vibration & Noise Power Demand Excessive H # 7 8 9 Possible Remedies E F G H

Power Demand Excessive H H # Possible Remedies 1 * Check NPSHa/ NPSHr Margin

* Inspect And Clean * Check For Damage


And Clean

* If Pump Is Above
Liquid Level, Raise Liquid Level Closer To Pump

8 9

* Shut Down And Open


Valves

* If Liquid Is Above
Pump, Increase Liquid Level Elevation SUCTION PROBLEMS Insufficient 2 Immersion Of Suction Pipe Or Bell (VertTurbinePump) Pump Not Primed 3 1 1 1 1 2

10

4 10

* Heat Up Liquid To
Reduce Viscosity

* Lower

Suction Pipe Or Raise Sump Level

* Increase Size Of
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM Discharge Piping To Reduce Pressure Loss

* Increase System
Resistance 1 2 3

* Fill Pump And Suction


Piping Complete With Liquid

* Use Larger Driver Or


Change Type Of Pump Specific Gravity Too High Total System Head Lower Than Design Head Of Pump 11 12 4 11 2 11 3 12

* Eliminate High Points


In Suction

* Slow Pump Down * Check Design Specific


Gravity

* Remove All NonCondensibles (Air From Pump, Piping and Valves)

* Increase System
Resistance To Obtain Design Flow

* Eliminate High Points


In Suction Piping

* Check Design
Parameters Such As Impeller Size, Etc. Total System Head Higher Than Design Head Of Pump 13 6 5 4 10 2 13

* Check For Faulty Foot


Valve Or Check Valve HYDRAULIC SYSTEM Non-Condensibles In Liquid 4 2 3 1 4

* Decrease System
Resistance To Obtain Design Flow

* Check For Gas/Air


Ingress Through Suction System/Piping

* Check Design
Parameters Such As Impeller Size, Etc. Unsuitable Pumps In Parallel Operation 14 7 6 6 1 A B C D E F G H 14 15 #

* Install
Chamber Supply Tank Empty Obstructions In Lines Or Pump Housing Possible Causes 5 6 # 3 9 A B C 7 D E F 7 G H 5 6 #

Gas Separation

* Check Design
Parameters

* Refill Supply Tank * Inspect And Clear


Possible Remedies

Improper Mechanical 15 Seal Possible Causes #

* Check Mechanical
Seal Selection Strategy Possible Remedies

Centrifugal Pump Troubleshooting Guide


Table 4-6 (cont.) Symptoms D C B A Intermittent Operation . Insufficient Capacity . No Liquid Delivery . Possible Causes # A B Speed Too High 16 Speed Too Low Wrong Direction Of Rotation 17 4 18 5 4 C D E F Symptoms E F G
A C B D Symptoms Insufficient Disch. Pressure . Intermittent Operation . Insufficient Capacity . No Liquid Delivery . Possible Causes Mechanical Defects Worn, Rusted, Defective Bearings SYSTEM # A 25 B C D E F 5 G 8 Table 4-6 (cont.) Symptoms Short Bearing Life Short Mech. Seal Life Vibration & Noise Power Demand Excessive H # 10 25 Possible Remedies E F G H

Insufficient Disch. Pressure . Short Bearing Life Short Mech. Seal Life Vibration & Noise G

Power Demand Excessive H H # Possible Remedies 1 16 * Check Motor Voltage Slow Down Driver 17 6 18

2 3

* Consult Driver
Troubleshooting Guide

Inspect Parts For Defects - Repair Or Replace. Use Bearing Failure Analysis Guide

*
Unbalance - Driver 26 5 7 9 26

* Check Rotation With


Arrow On Casing Reverse Polarity On Motor

Check Lubrication Procedures

Impeller Installed Backward (Double Suction Imp.) Misalignment MECHANICAL SYSTEM

19

10

12 19

* Inspect * Check Angular And


Parallel Alignment Between Pump And Driver

MECHANICAL

Run Driver Disconnected From Pump Unit - Perform Vibration Analysis

Unbalance - Pump Motor Troubles Possible Causes

27 28 # A B C D

4 6 E

27

Investigate Natural Frequency

20

7 20

8 10 11 28 F G H #

* Consult Motor
Troubleshooting Guide Possible Remedies

Casing Distorted From Excessive Pipe Strain

21

21

* Check For
Misalignment

* Check Pump For


Wear Between Casing And Rotating Elements

Inadequate Grouting Of Base Bent Shaft

22 23 3 4

6 7

22 8 23

* Analyze Piping Loads * Check Grouting And


Regrout If Required

* Check Deflection
(Should Not Exceed 0.002"). Replace Shaft And Bearings If Necessary

1-800-767-6700
This material was reproduced from Practical Machinery Management for Process Plants: Machinery Failure Analysis and Troubleshooting by Heinz P. Bloch and Fred K. Geitner by permission of the publisher Butterworth Heinemann of 225 Wildwood Avenue, Woburn MA 01801 (www.bh.com). 10% Discount on copies of this book will be offered with this sheet.

Internal Wear Possible Causes

24 # A B C

8 D E F G

9 24 H #

* Check Impeller
Clearances Possible Remedies

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