Centrifugal pump:-

A centrifugal pump is used in large number on board ship and every marine engineer should know how
to overhaul the centrifugal pump. Centrifugal pumps are mostly preferred because their outflow is
large as compare to other pumps and their maintenance is less. But the pressure developed from this
type of pump is not that much and reciprocating pumps come into play when pressure requirements
are large. In this article I first discuss about the centrifugal pump and then, the procedure of
overhauling the same.

WHAT IS A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP?

I will explain the centrifugal pump in brief only. If you want to know in more detail about
this pump, then you can go to this page. Centrifugal pump has a casing and impeller. This
impeller usually gets derived from the electric motors. Impellers is responsible for giving
pressure to the fluid and take fluid from one end and transmits it with pressure to the other
end.  Below diagrams shows the explanation of how a centrifugal pump looks. Usually the
sealing ring between the motor shaft and pump casing tends to leak out and also the ‘Wear
rings’ fitted on the centrifugal pump gets wear and tear in the course of time. So in order to
troubleshoot these defects we do the overhauling of centrifugal pumps.

Procedure of overhauling centrifugal compressors

I have explained the whole procedure in points to make it simpler to understand. 
1)     First of all before overhauling centrifugal compressors, all the spare parts are checked for
availability like the Wear rings, mechanical seal etc. All the power supply to this pumps
should be removed and a notice stating the ‘machine is under maintenance' need to be
hanged. 
2)      Now drain the pump completely and collect all the tools and check them if they are in good
condition or not. Now open the casing and slowly lift it up with the help of crane. Before
 opening the coupling, a mark between the coupling and casing should be made so that in
future there is no problem with the alignment. 
3)      Now remove the coupling and free the pump from the motor and use the “Jack-Bolts” for
parting the casing half.
4)      Now remove the gland packing or mechanical seal and check and straight away replace
this. Also install a new wear ring and check other fittings.
5)      Now assemble the pump shaft with new wear rings, mechanical seal and bearing bush.
Avoid any dirt accumulating on the pieces before fitting them because it will cause wear and
tear.
6)      Replace the pump shaft and impeller from casing and housing with respect to the markings.
7)      Replace the joint between the mating surfaces and replace and tighten the hold bolts.
Check that pump shaft is free to rotate.
8)      Check the marking on coupling and fit bolts and again check the pump shaft is free to
rotate. This is to ensure that pump will free at the time of starting. Now replace the power
supply to the motor.
9)      Now open the suction valve and prime the pump slowly and after priming open the
discharge valve and start the pump.
10)   After pump has started check if the pump is vibrating or not. After that check that the
discharge pressure is good.
11)   Now remove all the tools that are near to this pump and remove all the markings and
notices.
12)   Inform the concerned person about the completion of work and hand over the readings you
took while starting the pump after overhauling.

Some other : ----

We know that the ship’s engine room contains several different types of pumps including
centrifugal pumps. We have also seen that how a planned maintenance schedule is carried
out on board ships for the purpose of maintaining the equipments in perfect health. In this
article we will take a look at the procedure to disassemble, inspect and reassemble a
centrifugal pump. The following steps describe the entire process in a chronological order.
1. Switch off supply from the control room and isolate breaker with masking tape and place
a safety board (Men at work).
2. Switch off supply from local panel and isolate by masking tape, place a safety board on
the panel (Men at work).
3. Close suction and discharge valves and lash them with rope.
4. Drain the suction pipe and ensure water is not coming, then loosen or crack open the
joints and ensure that pump is safe for opening .
5. Fix chain block and ensure its cable length and strength is satisfactory.
6. Mark on coupling and casings and then remove the coupling bolts.
7. Now motor input supply wire can be marked and disconnected as per drawing.
8. Motor can be lifted by chain block.
9. Disconnect all external fittings and pump casing e.g. cooling pipe, pressure gauge,
purging cock.
10. Remove top cover and jack it for removal.
11. Now the pump shaft with impeller can be lifted.
12. Dismantle the impeller, liner and remove the wear ring.
13. Remove the gland packing.

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS FITTED ON BOARD

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

1. Impeller, pump shaft and casing to be inspected for erosion, pitting and wear down etc.
2. If required rectify defects with brass putty.
3. Excess worn out parts can be replaced with new ones.
4. Check wear down ring clearance, general practise is to replace with new ring.
5. Check shaft trueness, remove sleeve from the shaft replace sleeve with ‘o’ ring if
required.
6. Check key, key slots, nuts and its threads are ok.
7. Assemble all the pump parts.