PUMPS AND DRIVERS

NCCER 40108-07
 2.0.0 Pump Types
• Pump – a mechanical device designed to increase the
energy of a fluid so that a quantity of the fluid can be
transported from one location to another.

• Operate under the general principle that fluid is drawn

into one end (suction) and forced out the other end
(discharge) at an increased velocity.

• Classified as:
– Centrifugal
– Positive-Displacement
 2.1.0 Centrifugal Pumps
• Rotating impeller increases the velocity of the
fluid.
 2.1.1 Double-Suction Centrifugal Pumps

• Fluid is drawn in on both sides of the impeller.

• Used to pump large volumes of fluid.
 2.1.2 Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pumps

• Each impeller (stage) increases the velocity.

Stages are stacked until the desired pressure is
reached.
 2.1.3 Slurry Pumps
• Slurry – a mixture of different fluids, with large
quantities of solid particles.
 2.2.0 Rotary Pumps
• Positive-Displacement pumps that operate by
a turning motion.

• Types include:
– Gear
– Screw
– Vane
– Flexible Impeller
 2.2.1 Gear Pumps
• Fluid is drawn from the suction, around the
outside of the teeth, and out the discharge.
• Spur gear is the most common rotary pump.
 2.2.2 External Gear Pumps
• Fluid is drawn from the suction, around the
outside of the teeth, and out the discharge.
• Can be operated in either direction.
 2.2.3 Internal Gear Pump
• Have two gears that mesh together.
• Outer gear is the driving gear.
 2.2.4 Helical Screw Gear Pump
• Pumping oil and heavy fluids.
 2.2.5 Vane Pumps
• Pumps hydraulic oil, solvents, and chemicals.
• Vanes are made of soft material.
 2.2.6 Flexible Impeller Pumps
• Rotary pumps used primarily for chemicals.
 2.3.0 Reciprocating Pumps
• Operate by back-and-forth (or up-and-down) straight-line motion,
incorporating a suction stroke and a discharge stroke.

• Suction stroke:
– Suction valve open; discharge valve closed.
• Discharge stroke:
– Suction valve closed; discharge valve open.

• Delivers a pulsating flow.

• To compensate for the pulsation, an air chamber is placed on the
discharge line.

• Three main types:

• Piston
• Plunger
• Diaphragm
 2.3.1 Piston Pumps
• Pumping element is a piston,
which moves back and forth
in the chamber.
• Piston is shorter than stroke
length.
 2.3.2 Plunger Pump
• Plunger moves fluid into and out of the cylinder.
• Plunger length is greater than stroke length.
 2.3.3 Diaphragm Pumps
• Flexible diaphragm moves the fluid.
• Ideal for caustic chemicals.
• Also used for metering exact quantities.
 2.4.0 Metering Pumps
• Due to close manufacturing tolerances, these can
pump exact amounts of fluid.

• Very sensitive to temperature changes and abuse.

• Three types:
– Plunger metering pumps
– Diaphragm metering pumps
– Peristaltic pumps
 2.4.1 Plunger Metering Pumps
• The most common type used in industry today.
 2.4.2 Diaphragm Metering Pumps
• Uses a diaphragm to move the fluid.
 2.4.3 Peristaltic Pumps
• Specialty pump for chemical applications.
• Uses two shoes on a rotor to squeeze fluid
along a hose.
 2.5.0 Vacuum Pumps
• Creates a vacuum (negative pressure) instead of a positive
pressure.

• For double-suction vacuum pump (liquid-ring compressor):

– a liquid, usually water, is used to seal the rotor and cone
clearance.
 3.0.0 Net Positive Suction Head
and Cavitation
• Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is the
amount of suction head (pressure) required to
prevent vaporization of the pumped liquid.
 3.1.0 Cures for Cavitation
• Cavitation – formation of vapor bubbles due to
the NSPH available is less than the NPSH
required.
• At 72 F: 1 cf3 liquid water = 1,700 cf3 vapor water

• Reduce cavitation by reducing vapor pressure:

– Increase the static head:
• Lower the pump
• Raise the level in the tank
• Raise the tank
– Increase the pressure head:
• Pressurize the tank
 3.2.0 Air or Vapor Blockage
• Sometimes, cavitation is not caused by NPSH.

• Air in system: Creates a severe lowering of NPSH

and causes noise but not as destructive as
cavitation.

• Sources of air entering the suction:

• Loose or worn packing is the most likely spot.
• Leaks in valves and fittings.
 4.0.0 Installing Pumps
• Pump installation is a performance of
precision.
• Suction and discharge lines must be plumb,
level, and aligned.
• Pump must be aligned with equipment
centerline.
• Drive motor must be precisely aligned with
pump.
 4.1.0 Pre-Installation Guidelines
• Baseplate:
• If you get the baseplate right, the remainder
of the installation will be smoother.
• Aligned
• Level in all directions
• Correct elevation
• Clean
• grouted if applicable.
 4.2.0 Installation Guidelines
• Drill/Tap holes as necessary
• Set pump
• Shim so that pump c-line is higher than motor
• Assure pump is plumb and level
• Align motor to pump
• Connect suction and discharge
 5.0.0 Drivers
• Electric motors
• Internal combustion engines
• Turbine engines (extreme high speed/volume)
 5.1.0 Identifying Types of Drivers
• Electric motors
– Constant or variable speed

• Internal combustion engines

– Reciprocating drivers

• Turbine engines
– extreme high speed
5.2.0 Electric Drivers
 5.2.1 Variable Frequency Drivers
• Speed control is adjustable so that desired
flows and pressures can be achieved precisely.
 5.2.2 Motor Winding
• Field Windings:
• The number of turns of wire on the stator
which determines the motor strength.
 5.2.3 Power Optimization
• Electricity is expensive.
• Companies are always looking for ways to
reduce electrical consumption.
 5.3.0 Diesel Drivers
• Used where electricity is not available.
• Used during power outages for critical
pumping requirements.
 5.4.0 Gas Drivers
• Use unleaded gasoline, liquid petroleum, or
natural gas.
 5.5.0 Turbine Drivers
• Not as common as other drivers.
• Most are set up to turn a driveshaft, which
turns more than one pump.