MEO Class IV - GEK

Pumps
Rotary Pumps Exam Guide

This exam guide contains model questions similar to the ones you would answer in the written
examination. Our aim is to equip you on important subject areas. Answers provided are in the form of cues
and bulleted list to enable easy recollection.

Qu e st ion s

1 a. Sketch and describe a screw pump indicating the flow of fluid.

b. State the materials used in the manufacture of the components of screw pumps.

c. Specify three applications of screw pumps.

 MEO Class IV - GEK
Pumps
Rotary Pumps Exam Guide

Q 1. a.
Sketch and describe a screw pump indicating the flow of fluid.

To drive
Timing gears
Suction
manifold

Suction
Discharge

Discharge
manifold

Roller bearings

Screw pump

D e scr ip t io n

Screw pumps are a special type of rotary positive displacement pump in which flow of fluid
is truly axial. The liquid is carried between the screw threads on one or more rotors and is
displaced axially, as the screws rotate and mesh.

In screw pumps, it is the intermeshing of the threads on the rotors and the close fit with
the surrounding casing, which creates cavity. The cavities trap the liquid at the inlet and
carry it along the outlet, providing a smooth flow.

Timing gears are fitted in all double screw pumps to ensure the two screws, one left hand
screw and the other right hand to rotate in phase, in order to prevent seizure. This also
ensures axial hydraulic balance and no load is imposed on the location bearings.
 MEO Class IV - GEK
Pumps
Rotary Pumps Exam Guide

Q 1. b.
State the materials used in the manufacture of the components of screw
pumps.

A Materials used in the manufacture of screw pumps are:

z Casing, bearing housings - cast iron

z Screw shafts - high grade carbon steel

Q 1. c.
Specify three applications of screw pumps.

A Screw pumps are suitable for:

z pumping high viscosity fluids especially oil.

z variety of liquid cargoes carried in bulk.

z lubrication system as these pumps are self priming and can deal with large volume of
air and maintain even discharge pressure.

z draining tanks of high pressure liquids as they can handle both liquid and vapour
without loss of suction.

z operation at high rotational speeds and can easily be matched with standard electric
motors.

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