ABEN 3423-AB Mechanization and

Management

LECTURE NO. 7 – WATER PUMPS

Water pumps:
► are equipment used to lift water from a source to a
field of higher elevation.
► For irrigation purposes, there are two general types
of pump being used – centrifugal and positive
displacement pumps
A) Centrifugal/Dynamic pumps – uses rotating
impeller to increase pressure and flow rate of a
fluid. It can be operated under closed valve
conditions (for short period of time).

Operation- fluid enters the pump impeller along or near to the rotating
axis and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially or axial into a
diffuser or volute chamber, from where it exits into the downstream
piping system.
Centrifugal pumps are typically used for large
discharge through smaller heads. The term
“centrifugal pump” can be used for all impeller type
rotodynamic pumps including radial, axial and
mixed flow pumps.
Types of Centrifugal Pump
1. Radial flow pumps – simply as the centrifugal pump.
The fluid enters along the axial plane, accelerated by
the impeller and exits at right angles to the shaft
(radially). Radial flow pumps operate at higher
pressures and lower flow rates than axial and mixed
flow pumps. (self priming and non-self priming)
2. Axial flow pumps – fluid enters and exits along the
same direction parallel to the rotating shaft. The fluid
is not accelerated but instead “lifted” by the action of
the impeller. Axial flow pumps operate at much
lower pressure and higher flow rates than radial flow
pumps.
3. Mixed flow pumps – as the name suggests,
function as a compromise between radial and axial
flow pumps. The fluid experiences both radial
acceleration and lift and exits the impeller
somewhere between 0-90 degrees from the axial
direction.
Component Parts of a Centrifugal Pump
a. Impeller – it is a wheel or rotor which is provided
with a series of backward curved blades or vanes.
It is mounted on a shaft which imparts the required
energy to make the impeller rotate.:
Types of impellers:
i. shrouded or closed impeller
ii. Semi-open impeller
iii. Open impeller
b. Casing – is an airtight chamber which surrounds
the impeller. It also give direction to the fluid
exit.
c. Suction Pipe – it is a pipe which is connected at
its upper end to the inlet of the pump (casing) or
to the center of the impeller known as the eye.
The lower end of the suction pipe dips into the
liquid in the suction tank or sump. The lower
end is fitted with a foot valve and strainer. The
liquid first enters the strainer then to the foot
valve (one way type valve).
d. Delivery Pipe – it is a pipe which is
connected at its lower end to the
outlet of the pump and it delivers
the liquid to the required height.
Between the outlet of the pump on
the delivery pipe a delivery valve
is provided to regulated the flow
of fluid.
B) Positive Displacement pumps – physically displace the
liquid hence it cannot be operated under closed valve
conditions otherwise mechanical failure on the pipeline or
pump will occur.

Operation - positive displacement pump causes a fluid to move by trapping a fixed

amount of it then forcing (displacing) that trapped volume into the discharge pipe
or some has an expanding cavity on the suction side and a decreasing cavity on
the discharge side.
Advantages
- very efficient
- very suitable for high viscosity liquids
Disadvantages
- clearance between rotating pump and the outer
edge must be very close.
- adapted to slow speed rotation. At high speed
rotation, liquid might erode and reduce the pump
efficiency.
Types of Positive Displacement Pump
a. Rotary pump
i. Gear pump
ii. Screw pump
iii. Moving vane pump
iv. Lobe pump
b. Reciprocating pump
i. Plunger pump
ii. Piston pump
iii. Diaphragm pump
 TROUBLES, CAUSES AND REMEDIES
==================================================================
Problem Possible Cause and Solution
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▪ Pump wont prime - pump housing not filled with water. Fill housing w/ H2O
after 3 minutes - static suction head too high. Lower pump
- Suction hose too long. Reduce length of suction hose
- leaking suction hose. Repair hose or repair coupler seal
- strainer plugged. Clean strainer
- internal pump wear or damage. Perform vacuum test

==================================================================
====================================================================
Problem Possible Cause and Solution
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine does not - debris lodged in impeller/volute. Remove debris.
turn over

Little or - casing not filled with water. Fill pump casing- prime pump
Discharge - total head too high. Shorten total head.
- suction lift too high. Shorten suction lift/line
- Impeller plugged. clean impeller
- Small foot valve. match foot valve size to piping or use one
size bigger foot valve
- foot valve not submerged enough in water. Submerge at
least 3 ft
====================================================================
===================================================================
Problem Possible cause and remedy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- impeller damaged. Replace impeller
- suction piping too small. Increase pump inlet size
- motor wired incorrectly
- casing gasket or O ring leaking. Replace gasket or O ring
- suction or discharge vale closed. Open valve
- pump flow is greater than well flow capacity

===================================================================
================================================================
Problem Possible cause and remedy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss of suction - air leak in suction line. Repair or replace line
- suction lift too high. Lower suction lift
- insufficient suction pressure. Add more water to tank
- clogged foot valve/strainer. Clean foot valve/strainer
- defective foot valve or check valve. Replace
- Defective priming hose on suction line. Replace
- defective well. Repair or replace

================================================================
=================================================================
Problem Possible cause and remedy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pump leaks at shaft - worn mechanical seal. Replace
Pump vibrates or - mounting plate or foundation not rigid. Reinforce
makes excessive - foreign material in pump. Clean pump
noise - impeller damaged. Replace impeller
- worn motor bearings. Replace bearings
- suction lift too high. Lower suction lift
================================================================
=================================================================
Problem Possible cause and remedy
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pump does not deliver - no priming water in casing. Fill casing
water or develop pressure. - mechanical seal leaking. Replace seal
- leak in suction line. Repair or replace
- discharge line is closed. Open line
- pump is down. Replace worn parts
- foot valve is leaking. Repair or replace
- suction screen is clogged. Clean or replace
================================================================
================================================================
Problem Possible cause and remedy
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pump will not prime - no water in casing. Fill casing
- mechanical seal leaking. Replace
- leak in suction line. Repair
- closed discharge line. Open
- suction line or valve is closed. Open
- pump is down. Repair pump
- foot valve leaking. Repair or replace
- suction screen clogged. Clean or replace
=================================================================
================================================================
Problem Possible cause and remedy
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pump will not start - improperly wired. Check wiring and repair
- blown fuse. Replace fuse or check ckt. Breaker
- loose or broken wiring. Tighten connections. Replace
broken wiring
- stone or foreign object lodged in impeller. Dismantle
pump and remove foreign object.
- motor shorted out. Replace motor
- thermal overload opened circuit. Allow unit to cool, restart
after reason for overload has been determined.
=================================================================
The End