Protect centrifugal pumps from low flows

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1995 · Chemical Engineering Progress

OSTI ID:82943

Woodside, O

Operation of centrifugal pumps below their minimum flow requirements is the primary cause of premature pump failure. Hydraulic instability occurs at low flows, causing cavitation, surging, and excessive vibration in the pump. This instability is more restrictive in setting the minimum allowable flow than using the temperature rise, which was used in the past. If you are the system design engineer, you should consider providing a protective system during the preparation of the piping and instrumentation diagrams (P and IDs). Not all pumps require a protective system. Your problem is to determine which pumps do and which do not, and decide the type of system to employ. This decision must be made as early as possible in the development of the P and IDs to avoid costly rework. This article gives guidelines on when to provide a protective system and offers examples of appropriate designs.

• OSTI ID: 82943
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering Progress, Vol. 91, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
FLUID FLOW
EQUIPMENT PROTECTION DEVICES
FAILURES
RECOMMENDATIONS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
DAMAGE