As a fluid conveying equipment widely used in industrial production and civil fields, the stable operation of centrifugal pumps is directly related to production efficiency and system safety. In the actual operation process, "failure to draw water" is a relatively common fault manifestation, which not only interferes with normal production operations but may also cause damage to the pump body due to idling. This article will conduct an in-depth analysis of the main causes of centrifugal pump failure to draw water from four dimensions: suction pipeline, pump body components, power unit, and operation & maintenance, providing clear guidance for fault troubleshooting.
The suction pipeline is a key channel for centrifugal pumps to obtain fluid, and its sealing performance and smoothness directly determine the water absorption effect. If there is a leak in the suction pipeline, air will enter the pump body along with the fluid, destroying the vacuum environment inside the pump and making it impossible to form sufficient suction to draw fluid. Common leak locations include aging of gaskets at pipeline interfaces, loose flange connections, and damage to the suction pipe wall.
In addition, blockage or poor circulation of the suction pipeline can also lead to the problem of failure to draw water. If impurities, welding slag, or medium crystals remain inside the pipeline, the flow cross-section will be reduced or even completely blocked, preventing fluid from entering the pump cavity smoothly. At the same time, unreasonable installation of the suction pipeline, such as excessive bends and sudden reduction in pipeline diameter, will increase the flow resistance of the fluid, reduce the water absorption efficiency, and even induce the failure of failure to draw water in severe cases.
The integrity of the internal components of the pump body is a core factor in ensuring the water absorption function. As the power component of the centrifugal pump, if the impeller has problems such as wear, corrosion, or blade breakage, it will lead to insufficient kinetic energy of the fluid inside the pump, making it impossible to generate enough centrifugal force to transport the fluid, which in turn manifests as the phenomenon of failure to draw water.
Seal damage is also one of the important causes. If the shaft seal (such as mechanical seal, packing seal) of the centrifugal pump is worn or fails, the vacuum degree inside the pump will decrease, and medium leakage may occur at the same time; poor sealing at the suction end will directly cause air to enter, destroying the water absorption conditions. In addition, the "air binding" phenomenon where the air inside the pump is not completely discharged will make the impeller unable to work effectively on the fluid, also causing the problem of failure to draw water.
Abnormal power units will affect the normal operation of the pump. If the motor speed is insufficient, the linear speed of the impeller will not meet the design requirements, and the centrifugal force will be insufficient to complete the suction and transportation of the fluid; incorrect motor rotation direction will cause the impeller to rotate in the reverse direction, destroying the movement trajectory of the fluid inside the pump and directly leading to failure to draw water.
Improper installation height is also a common cause. When the installation height of the centrifugal pump exceeds its allowable suction vacuum height, the fluid in the suction pipeline cannot overcome the gravity to enter the pump body, forming a precursor to "cavitation" accompanied by the phenomenon of failure to draw water. In addition, the pump body installed not horizontally will cause the impeller to run unbalanced, increasing the wear of components and indirectly affecting the water absorption performance.
Improper operation is often the direct cause of faults. Failure to perform pump priming in accordance with specifications before startup, resulting in residual air inside the pump; sudden closing of the outlet valve or improper flow adjustment during operation, causing a sudden change in the pressure inside the pump; failure to clean the pipeline and pump cavity in a timely manner after shutdown, leading to medium deposition and blockage—all the above operational omissions will cause the problem of failure to draw water.
Inadequate daily maintenance also cannot be ignored. Failure to clean the suction filter for a long time, leading to filter blockage; failure to regularly check the status of pipeline interfaces and seals, allowing hidden dangers to develop; lack of regular inspection of pump body components, resulting in worn parts not being replaced in a timely manner—these deficiencies in maintenance links will gradually reduce the operating performance of the pump, and eventually manifest as the failure of failure to draw water.
To sum up, the causes of centrifugal pump failure to draw water involve multiple links, and comprehensive troubleshooting should be carried out from aspects of pipelines, pump bodies, power, operation and maintenance. In practical applications, choosing a professional and reliable pump equipment and service provider is the key to reducing the incidence of such faults. As a professional enterprise deeply engaged in the pump industry, TEFFIKO, relying on its in-depth understanding of the core technology of centrifugal pumps and rich experience, fully considers the key points that are prone to faults such as sealing performance and component durability in the design and manufacturing of its products, improving the operational stability of the equipment from the source. At the same time, TEFFIKO can also provide customers with full-process technical support covering installation guidance, daily maintenance, and fault troubleshooting, helping enterprises effectively avoid common problems such as failure to draw water. Whether it is equipment procurement or technical services, choosing TEFFIKO means choosing an efficient and stable pump system solution, providing a solid guarantee for the continuous and smooth progress of production operations.
-
