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Programa de formación: MANTENIMIENTO MECANICO INDUSTRIAL
DURIS DURAN NIETO

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. Finally, the fluid arrives to the

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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 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.

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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 SYSTEMS

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

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 GENERAL COMPONENTS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

A centrifugal pump has two main components:

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

II. A stationary component comprised of a casing, casing cover, and bearings

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 BLADE ROUTER

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.

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP PARTS

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 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP PARTS

The shaft: always supports the rotatory parts and its

principal role always generates mechanical energy.

The impeller: mechanical component of a centrifugal

pump that always transforms the mechanical energy in
kinetic energy.

The casing: metal structure always covers up the

internal parts of the machine

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

The Suction nozzle: almost ever remains in the left

side the centrifugal pump, in the suction nozzle always
assemble in the suction piping.

The discharge nozzle: almost ever remains in area

upper the centrifugal pump, in the nozzle discharge
always assembles in the discharge piping.

Stuffing: These components always stop leak the oil the

pump and pollution.

The volute: casing that covers up the parts internal the

centrifugal pump, sometimes with different type the
structure.

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 Seal: this component always stop 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
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.

PRACTICE THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE

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

Juan: hey, Alex! at here everything 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 2020 is crazy.

- Jesus Christ!!!
Juan: yes brother, me too. It´s worrying. now, is very important keep the biosafety protocols in the workshop, we will overcome this. I sure
you it.

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

Juan: of course, tell me. ¿ what happens?

Alex: well, as you already know I´m doing 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 friction.
- Check out it, and tell me, what do you find?
-
Alex: Perfect, inspect everything, the grease has a lot of residue and the bearings look a little
worn. What would I do?

Juan: well, you got 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 forge applicate new grease before of install the new bearings, ok?
-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 good results.
Juan: So, Alex tell me...
- How did you whit that?
- Has increased the pump its potency?
- It´s performance has been improved?

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

Thanks for everything, have a great day.

See you later bro.

Juan: Those are excellent news friend!

If you have some other question, don´t doubt and tell me. I´m here for serve you my friend.

See you next time!

Alex: I will keep it in mind for any problem that may arise in the workshop, bye!

GLOSSARY

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CENTRIFUGAL: force, motion: from the centre

INCREASE: go up

GROW: increase in size.

INLET: entrance

Outlet: drain

ELEVATION HEIGHT: maximum head to which the pump can deliver the fluid.

VOLUTE: spiral.

IMPELLER: rotor, thing that incites.

HEREBY: in this act, formal.

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NOZZLE: end part of a hose or pipe for directing fluid.

OUTWARD: towards the outside

PRESSURE BOOSTING: increase in pressure levels.

CLOCKWISE: in clockwise direction.

FED: give food to, past.

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