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THE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

The centrifugal pump is the most used pump type in the world. An increase in the fluid pressure from the pump inlet to its outlet is
created when the pump is in operation. This pressure difference drives the fluid through the system or plant.

OPERATION

The pump works with a fluid (liquid), The centrifugal pump

transforms the energy of a mechanic movement first in
speed then in pressure. the fluid of the pump gives
energy, this energy produces flow and elevation height.
These pumps use the centrifugal power for moving the
liquid and grow its pressure. The centrifugal pump uses
the tangential speed to perform its work, it causes a low
pressure inside of the volute then the suction flange takes
in the liquid, the impeller drives the liquid to the discharge
flange.

The centrifugal pump creates an increase in pressure by transferring mechanical energy from the motor to the fluid through the
rotating impeller. The fluid flows from the inlet to the impeller center
and out along its blades. The centrifugal force hereby increases the
fluid velocity and consequently also the kinetic energy is transformed
to pressure.

A centrifugal pump is one of the simplest pieces of equipment in any

process
plant. Its purpose is to convert energy of a prime mover (a electric
motor or turbine) first into velocity or kinetic energy and then into
pressure energy of a fluid that is being pumped. The energy changes

CENTRO INDUSTRIAL Y DEL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO SENA-REGIONAL SANTANDER INSTRUCTORA DURIS DURAN NIETO
occur by virtue of two main parts of the pump, the impeller and the volute or diffuser. The impeller is the rotating part that converts
driver energy into the kinetic energy. The volute or diffuser is the stationary part that converts the kinetic energy into pressure energy.

The process liquid enters the suction nozzle and then into eye
(center) of a revolving device known as an impeller. When the
impeller rotates, it spins the liquid sitting in the cavities between the
vanes outward and provides centrifugal acceleration.

As liquid leaves the eye of the impeller a low-pressure area is created

causing more liquid to flow toward the inlet. Because the impeller
blades are curved, the fluid is pushed in tangential and radial
direction by the centrifugal force. This force acting inside the pump is
the same one that keeps water inside a bucket that is rotating at the
end of a string.

PUMP TYPES AND SISTEMS

The pumps are divided in five overall groups: circulation pumps, pumps for pressure boosting and fluid transport, water supply pumps,
industrial pump, and wastewaters pumps, many of the pump types can be used in different applications.

GENERAL COMPONENTS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

A centrifugal pump has two main components:

I. A rotating component comprised of an impeller and a shaft

CENTRO INDUSTRIAL Y DEL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO SENA-REGIONAL SANTANDER INSTRUCTORA DURIS DURAN NIETO
II. A stationary component comprised of a casing, casing cover, and bearings

Impeller: The impeller is the main rotating part that provides the centrifugal acceleration to the fluid.

Shaft: The basic purpose of a centrifugal pump shaft is to transmit the torques encountered when starting and during operation while
supporting the impeller and other rotating parts.

Coupling: Couplings can compensate for axial growth of the shaft and transmit torque to the impeller.

The centrifugal pumps, also called rotative, have a router of blades that move clockwise and emerged into the liquid. The liquid enters
the pump near the pivot point of the router and the blades they drag it towards its edges at a high pressure. The router also gives the
liquid a relatively high speed that could be transformed into pressure in a stationary part of the pump

The router must be fed before starting its function; it means that it must be surrounded by liquid when the pump is started.

The liquid penetrates back and forth through the pipe of the vacuum until the entranced of the impeller, experimenting a change of
direction tough, speeding and vacuuming a work.

The alabes of the impeller make the particles of the liquid to a rotating movement very fast, being projected towards the exterior by
centrifugal force.

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 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP PARTS

RESSURESIDE: The unit part movil that transmits the potency to the
pumped liquid.

ROTATING DIRECTION INDICATOR: Turns against the clock.

SUCTION SIDE: Includes the distance from the liquid level to the pump
shaft.

DOWNSTREAM PIPE FLANGE: Where the liquid enters.

IMPELLER: The Motor motion can only rotate about its axis.

DRIVESHAFT FLANGE: It is one that describes an object but fixed at a

single point.

ROTATING DIRECTION INDICATOR: Where the liquid goes out.

1. The shaft: always supports the rotatory parts and its principal role always generates mechanical energy.

2. The impeller: mechanical component of a centrifugal pump that always transforms the mechanical energy in kinetic energy.

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3. The casing: metal structure always covers up the internal parts of the machine

4. The bearings: support shaft on the far left and right, and always support axial, Radial weights.

5. The Suction nozzle: almost ever remains in the left side the centrifugal pump, in the suction nozzle always assemble in the suction
piping.

6. The discharge nozzle: almost ever remains in area upper the centrifugal pump, in the nozzle discharge always assembles in the discharge

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7. Stuffing: These components always stop leak the oil the pump and pollution.

8. The volute: casing that covers up the parts internal the centrifugal pump, sometimes with different type the structure.

9. Seal: this component always stops leak the water the pump and hamper the presence of the atmosphere pump maintenance.

DETECTION OF FAULTS IN CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Many of the failures and malfunctions in the pumps occur by a bad operation and commissioning in
inadequate conditions

CENTRO INDUSTRIAL Y DEL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO SENA-REGIONAL SANTANDER INSTRUCTORA DURIS DURAN NIETO
  The pump is noisy or vibrates:

- The pump and driver are aligned improperly – realign the pump and driver
- The impeller is partially clogged – back flush or remove and clean
- The impeller or shaft is broken or bent – replace the impeller or shaft as necessary
- The foundation is not rigid – tighten the hold-down bolts of the pump and motor or adjust stilts
- The bearings are worn – replace
- The suction / discharge piping is not anchored / supported adequately – anchor / support
correctly
- The pump is cavitating – locate and correct problem
- The packing gland is adjusted improperly - tighten the gland nuts
- The stuffing box is packed improperly - check or replace packing
- The mechanical seal parts are worn or broken - replace parts or seal
- The mechanical seal is overheating - check the lubrication and cooling lines
- The shaft or sleeve is scored - machine or replace
- The bearings are demaged – Dry (lack of lubrication) or worn sreplace the bearings as
necessary.

PUT IN PRACTICE THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE

Alex: hey, Juan! how´s it going brother?

Juan: hey, Alex! Everything is fine and tell me. Are you ok my friend?

Alex: I´m fine, but I really don´t like what´s going on with the pandemic and the covid-19 virus. This
2021 is crazy.-Jesus Christ!!!

Juan: yes brother, me too. It´s worrying. For now, is very important keep the biosafety protocols in the
workshop, we will overcome and be safe, this is personal responsibility.

Alex: That is right, brother! Everything will be fine, well… besides that I have a problem and maybe you
can help me.

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Juan: of course, tell me. ¿ What happen?

Alex: well, as you already know I´m doing a maintenance on a centrifugal pump, but I have a little
problem. The centrifugal pump has lost power, it is also causing sounds and vibrations.

Juan: ok, you must check into pump at its shaft, check that the bearings are correctly lubricant, also the
grease status, and try move them for see if there is any friction.
- Check it out and tell me, what do you find?
-
Alex: Perfect, I am checking everything, the grease has a lot of residues, and the bearings look a little
worn. What would I do?

Juan: well, you must do the bearing change, so use a hydraulic press or mechanical puller for taking
out both bearings from shaft.
-Remember, be careful, work with this type of tools could be dangerous.
-a thing more… don´t forget to use grease before installing the new bearings, that´s right?
-also remember put all pieces in the same place and with same initial position.

Alex: Everything looks good! I followed the steps as you have indicated, I have also used mi personal
protection elements and tools correctly.
-I change the bearings, it took a while, but I did it, then I applied the grease to the bearings and
assembled piece by piece.
-I will proceed to test and analyze the centrifugal pump, I hope to get good results.
Juan: So, Alex tells me...
- How did you do with that?
- Has the pump increased its potency?
- has It´s performance been improved?

Alex: friend I have good news, the centrifugal pump is working as a new one, it is already working
normal, with good power and there are no strange sounds.

Thanks for everything, have a great day.

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See you later bro.

Juan: Fantastic, it´s good news

If you have another question, don´t doubt to tell me. I´m here to help you, my friend.
See you next time!
Alex: I will keep it in mind for any problem that would be possible on another occasion in the
electromechanical workshop. Bye!

ACTIVITY

1. ANALYZE THE DIALOGUE AND ANSWER:

a) What was Alex's problem? The centrifugal pump has lost power, it is also causing sounds and
vibrations
b) What is a bearing and why is it used or its function? Bearing is the name given to a rotating
element, which reduces friction between a shaft and the parts connected to this supporting
system and facilitates its operation….bearings are one of the most used machinery parts, as
their rotating movement facilitates all movements and also helps to reduce friction between
the different moving elements. ... Transfer motion, that is, support and guide components that
rotate together
c) Do you have something more to argue to Juan´s procedure? No
d) Do you know more faults that can affect a centrifugal pump? mention them.
The pump is on but there is no water supply.
Insufficient flow.
Over-load on the engine.
Insufficient pump pressure.
Premature Failure of Seals or Packaging

e) What procedure will you use to correct this failure? you must do the bearing change, so use a
hydraulic press or mechanical puller for taking out both bearings from shaft.
-Remember, be careful, work with this type of tools could be dangerous.

CENTRO INDUSTRIAL Y DEL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO SENA-REGIONAL SANTANDER INSTRUCTORA DURIS DURAN NIETO
 -a thing more… don´t forget to use grease before installing the new bearings, that´s right?
-also remember put all pieces in the same place and with same initial position.
f) What is the difference between a hydraulic press and mechanical puller? ¿How did you use
each one?

2. BASED ON THE PREVIOUS TEXT ABOUT CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, ANSWER THE

FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

1. WHAT IS THE ROTATING PART THAT CONVERTS THE CONDUCTOR'S ENERGY INTO
KINETIC ENERGY?
a) VOLUTE
b) DIFFUSER
c) THE IMPELLER
d) TURBINE

2. IT IS AN INCREASE IN FLUID PRESSURE CREATED FROM THE PUMP INLET TO ITS

OUTLET?
a) CIRCULATION PUMP
b) CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
c) CIRCULATION PUMP
d) SUPPLY PUMPS

3. WHEN THE IMPELLER ROTATES, IT SPINS THE LIQUID SITTING IN THE CAVITIES
BETWEEN THE PALLETS OUTWARDS AND PROVIDES…
a) FLOW AND HEIGHT
b) CENTRIFUGAL ACCELERATION.
c) FLUID
d) PRESSURE

3. BASED ON THE PREVIOUS TEXT, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

10

CENTRO INDUSTRIAL Y DEL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO SENA-REGIONAL SANTANDER INSTRUCTORA DURIS DURAN NIETO
 a) What is a centrifugal pump purpose? are hydraulically operated machines characterized by
their ability to transmit energy to fluids (particularly liquids) through the work of a centrifugal
force field. Its main objective is to transfer fluids through an increased pressure.

b) How does a centrifugal pump work? The fluid current is accelerated by the thrust that the
impeller blades, thanks to their curvature, transmit to the current itself. In this way, the fluid
acquires energy, mainly in the form of an increase in its average speed

c) What are the main parts of centrifugal pump? Impeller, shaft impeller, impeller, diffuser
d) What are the types of centrifugal pump?
Centrifugal Helical Turbine Pumps.
-Liquid ring pumps.
-Flexible Impeller Pumps.
-Gear Pumps.
-Lobe Pumps.
-Progressive Cavity Pumps.
-Peristaltic Pumps.

e) What are the possible failures of a centrifugal pump?

Leakage
improper use of sealants
cavitation damage
corrosion damage
foreign body contamination
mechanical damage

f) Do you know the safety rules necessary to operate the pumps? Mention them.
NEVER APPLY HEAT TO EXTRACT THE IMPELLER, NEVER USE HEAT TO
DISASSEMBLE THE PUMP, as there is risk of explosion due to trapped liquid, NEVER run a
pump without a properly installed coupling protector, Do NEVER start a pump below nominal
flow rate, dry or unpeeled, ALWAYS block engine power before performing pump

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CENTRO INDUSTRIAL Y DEL DESARROLLO TECNOLÓGICO SENA-REGIONAL SANTANDER INSTRUCTORA DURIS DURAN NIETO
 maintenance, NEVER run a pump without the safety devices installed, Never run the pump
without closed discharge valve, NEVER run the pump without closed suction valve,

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