A centrifugal pump drives fluid to generate centrifugal force through the high-speed rotation of its impeller, thereby achieving pressure increase and medium transportation. However, unlike positive displacement pumps, it does not have self-priming ability and must rely on priming operations to create normal working conditions. The core of priming is to completely expel the air from the pump casing and suction pipeline and fully fill these core flow path components with the fluid to be transported.
If the priming operation is not done properly, the residual air in the pump will form bubbles when the impeller rotates, causing cavitation. The impact force generated by the bursting of bubbles will continuously erode components such as the impeller and pump casing, which not only leads to equipment wear but also significantly reduces transportation efficiency. In severe cases, a pump that is not fully primed will lack fluid for cooling and lubrication, which may cause the mechanical seal to overheat and burn out, eventually resulting in complete pump failure.
The inspection before the priming operation is a key link to ensure process safety and avoid subsequent failures. The following three items need to be confirmed:
1.Inspect seals and connectors: Check the flange interfaces, threaded joints, gaskets, and mechanical seal components of the suction pipeline one by one for leakage traces. Even a tiny gap can suck in air during priming, destroying the vacuum environment in the pump and causing priming difficulties or pressure fluctuations during operation.
2.Confirm valve positions: Ensure that the discharge valve is completely closed. This can make the fluid accumulate pressure in the pump casing during priming and prevent fluid backflow when not started. At the same time, fully open the suction valve to ensure that the fluid can smoothly enter the pump body from the source tank and avoid flow path obstruction due to insufficient valve opening.
3.Check the fluid source: Verify the liquid level height of the fluid source such as liquid storage tanks and water tanks. It is necessary to ensure that the liquid level is higher than the inlet of the suction pipeline to avoid the pump sucking in air due to too low liquid level, which makes it impossible to form a stable fluid transportation state.
1.Cut off the pump power supply: Before starting priming, be sure to turn off the pump's power switch or cut off the power supply line. This is the primary step to ensure the safety of operators and can effectively avoid injuries caused by accidental pump startup due to misoperation.
2.Fill with fluid slowly: Unscrew the sealing cover of the priming port and slowly pour the fluid to be transported along the opening to avoid generating bubbles or splashing of fluid due to too fast flow rate. Continuously observe the liquid level change. When the fluid overflows smoothly from the priming port, it indicates that the air in the pump casing and suction pipeline has been exhausted and the flow path is fully filled.
3.Seal the priming port: After the fluid overflows, first tighten the sealing cover by hand initially, and then use a tool to reinforce it according to the specified torque to ensure that the interface is tightly sealed and prevent air from entering or fluid from leaking during operation.
4.Start the pump unit and monitor: Connect the power supply to start the pump, and then slowly open the discharge valve in stages to avoid pipeline impact caused by sudden pressure rise. At the same time, observe the operating status of the pump, including whether there is abnormal noise, whether the vibration amplitude is normal, and whether the reading of the outlet pressure gauge is stable. If the pressure remains within the specified range and there is no abnormality, it indicates that the priming is successful and the pump can enter normal operation.
Q: What is the key impact of centrifugal pump priming on equipment operation?
A: Priming is a key preliminary process for the reliable operation of centrifugal pumps, and the standardization of operation directly determines the performance and service life of the pump. If priming is improper, residual air will cause faults such as cavitation and mechanical seal burning, seriously affecting transportation efficiency and equipment safety.
Q: What products does TEFFIKO mainly produce and sell?
A: As an Italian manufacturer with 20 years of professional experience in pump manufacturing, TEFFIKO mainly produces and sells pump types such as magnetic pumps, centrifugal pumps, and screw pumps.
Q: How to contact TEFFIKO if there are other needs?
A: If necessary, you can click "Send Inquiry" on the official website, and we will provide customized solutions for needs such as cost-effective pump selection to make your production and operation more secure and efficient.
