COMPONENTS IN MULTISTAGE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

A wide range of procedures and applications require the use of pumps for their operations in
different industries. In the production process, pumps play a major role and are crucial for
smooth operations. The multistage centrifugal pump is composed of many components.
These are the major parts or components of the multistage centrifugal pump and their
functions.

1. CASING

- A casing can be described as a shell, cover or housing that covers most of the
components and supports them. The casing is essentially used in pumps to seal
it to avoid leakage and often maintain pressure.

- The liquid is enclosed in the casing which acts as a pressure containment

vessel that directs the liquid flow in and out of the centrifugal pump.

- In centrifugal pumps, three types of casing are typically used, which are,
volute casing, vortex casing and casing with guide blades.

2. IMPELLER

- In a centrifugal pump, a rotating part that is equipped with vanes or blades that
rotate and transfer the fluid in a pump is an ​impeller​. A shaft is connected to
these vanes or blades. It converts the energy extracted from a source as the
impeller rotates. For example, a motor that induces fluid flow.

- Impellers are an integral part of a pump as it generates velocity from its

blades/vanes to the fluid. Impeller designs are considered to be a significant
factor in evaluating the effectiveness of a pump.

- Radial impellers are often used in multi-stage centrifugal pumps. A fluid flows
perpendicular to the shaft in the radial flow impeller.

- Impellers are also categorised into impellers that are open and closed. Only
one shroud has an open impeller and the vanes on the other side are exposed.
A closed impeller has a shroud on both sides of the valves (also called a
double shrouded impeller). In general, ​open impellers are only used on ​single
stage centrifugal pumps​, while ​double shrouded impellers are used on
multistage centrifugal pumps ​horizontally or top-ported.

- Impellers may also be categorised on the basis of their suction type: in a

single-suction ​impeller, liquid enters the centre of the blades from only one
direction. In comparison, liquid enters the centre of the impeller blades from
 both sides simultaneously in a ​double-suction impeller. In single suction or
double suction impeller designs, closed impellers are available.

- Impellers are generally made from steel or stainless steel in industrial grade
centrifugal pumps. Brass/bronze material or some kind of plastic may be
found in some lower grade pumps.

3. SHAFT

- In a centrifugal pump, the main purpose of the shaft is to transmit the input
power into the impeller from the driver.

4. MECHANICAL SEALS

- Packing rings or mechanical seals may be provided for centrifugal pumps,

which help prevent the pumped liquid from leaking into the atmosphere.

- On the shafts of centrifugal pumps and screw pumps, mechanical seals are
used where the input shafts have to exit the pressure chamber. It consists of
two extremely smooth surfaces that are normally held together with the pump
age pressure or springs.

- It is possible to categorise mechanical seals and seal plans into 4 main

categories: single seals, double seals, quench seals and gas seals. Each
category has distinct advantages and disadvantages and must be carefully
considered in any pumping system for its design and features.

5. BEARINGS

- The bearing purpose is to support the shaft assembly's weight and keep the
shaft of the pump aligned with the driver's shaft. It also helps to decrease
friction in a pump on moving parts and facilitates a smooth rotation of the
shaft.

- They are widely used in all sorts of pumps, such as centrifugal, reciprocating,
or revolving pumps.

TYPES OF BEARINGS :

- Roller bearings

Roller bearings are bearings that are used between the moving parts using
cylindrical shape rollers. They minimise friction and can support radial load
and axial load depending on the architecture. There are various types of roller
 bearings, such as cylindrical, tapered, and needle bearings. All of these vary in
shape, design, and sizes.

- Ball bearings

Ball bearings are a type of bearing that supports the movement of the parts by
using balls. They are simple in design and are suitable and convenient to
maintain for high speeds.

- Babbit bearings

Babbit bearings are a type of Babbit metal coated sleeve bearings, i.e. tin or
lead-based alloys, which are commonly used in motors, pumps, turbine
generators and fans. They are available in various designs and features. There
are few factors that determine which Babbit bearing should be used, such as
shaft speed, bearing load, shaft stability, bearing cooling and overall machine
load and speed.

- Sleeve bearings

For high speeds, sleeve bearings are the most suitable. They are only suitable
for radial loads, and are generally designed to "float." Metallic alloys, sintered
metals and plastics may be built from them.

6. COUPLERS

- The purpose of the couplers is to connect the shaft of the pump and the shaft of the
driver and transmit the power input from the driver to the pump.

- Most couplers are also made to enable for slight angular and parallel misalignment
and movement as the equipment operates, especially on high-powered systems.
Flexible couplings can come in many different styles and sizes.

7. OIL SEALS

- An oil seal, typically made of oil and grease-resistant rubber, is a device that is
normally fitted around a rotating or reciprocating shaft to avoid oil leakage or
intrusion from a chamber.

- This seal may also be used to avoid outside materials such as dirt from moving in
through the clearance.

- They are used widely in engines, pumps, blowers, motors and gearboxes. There are
several different styles, materials and sizes of oil seals available.

8. OIL RINGS SEALS

 - Oil Rings close a distance between two surfaces so that in no way will liquids or
gases pass through. As pressure is added to the system, an Oil ring seal modifies the
forms, so it squeezes against the surrounding surfaces and seals them off.

- It is a very basic design and is used in a wide range of applications, even though it has
its limitations. Oil rings may be used on flat, stationary surfaces, as well as circular
shafts, in low pressure and high pressure applications.

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