Page 13 - Simplified Wastewater Treatment Fundementals\Pumps and Pumping

Pumps and their Applications

Centrifugal Pump Parts and Care

Centrifugal Pump parts include the drive motor, shaft, bearings, seals, packing,

pump volute, pump impeller, suction and discharge piping.

Centrifugal pumps are reliable but can be vulnerable to grit accumulating in the

volute, or rags wrapping around the impeller. The Operator must be aware of

centrifugal pump performance by monitoring suction vacuum, discharge pressure and

electrical amps the pump motor is drawing as active signs the pump may be

operating under stress.

Centrifugal Pumps require a minimum of preventive maintenance, but the care that is

needed is critical. Seal water is provided to the stuffing box and combined with

packing to keep the pump shaft lubricated so the shaft doesn’t wear, narrow, (known

as hour glassing) and break.