centrifugal pumps good points and weakness
The advantages of centrifugal pumps include simplicity, compactness, weight saving, and adaptability to high-speed prime movers. One disadvantage of centrifugal pumps is their relatively poor suction power. When the pump end is dry, the rotation of the impeller, even at high speeds, is simply not sufficient to lift liquid into the pump; therefore, the pump must be primed before pumping can begin. For this reason, the suction lines and inlets of most centrifugal pumps are placed below the source level of the liquid pumped. The pump can then be primed by merely opening the suction stop valve and allowing the force of gravity to fill the pump with liquid. The static pressure of the liquid above the pump also adds to the suction pressure developed by the pump while it is in operation. Another dis- advantage of centrifugal pumps is that they develop cavitation . Cavitation occurs when the velocity of a liquid increases to the point where the consequent pressure drop reaches the pressure of vaporization of the liquid. When this happens, vapor pockets, or bubbles, form in the liquid and then later collapse when subjected to higher pressure at some other point in the flow. The collapse of the vapor bubbles can take place with considerable force. This effect, coupled with the rather corrosive action of the vapor bubbles moving at high speed, can severely pit and corrode impeller surfaces and sometimes even the pump casing. In extreme instances, cavitation has caused structural failure of the impeller blades. Whenever cavitation occurs, it is frequently signaled by a clearly audible noise and vibration (caused by the violent collapse of vapor bubbles in the pump).
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2012-05-21
