Pump types and theory

Types of pumps
• There are three main types that will
be covered;
– Rotary gear
– Rotary vane
– Centrifucal
• Centrifucal pumps are the most
common type of pump found today,
we will go into its use in depth
Rotary Gear Pumps
• Rotary pumps
work by using tight
tolerance gears to
push water
• Tolerances are so
tight that this
pump will pump air
 Rotary Vane Pumps
• These pumps work
like the rotary gear
pumps, but have
vanes that can
extend and retract
• This pump resists
the effects of wear
much better
Parts of the centrifical pump

Throttle controls
the rotation speed
of the impellor.
More throttle =
more pressure
How the centrifical pump works
How the centrifical pump
works
How a centrifical pump works
Water supply for the pump

Booster
tank

Intake
from
steamers
and 2 ½
Tank to pump
 Tank fill

Water being supplied to steamer intake

into pump, flowing discharges and filling
tank at the same time
Two stage pumps
two stage pump in volume
Two stage pump in pressure
Discharge Manifold
• The water being
discharged from
the pump is forced
into a manifold; the
junction for all
discharge lines
• The manifold has
all of the discharge
valves that are
controled from the
pump panel
 Using the relief valve

Relief Valves are Excess

Used to sharp pressure is
increases in dumped into
pressure from the intake
going all the way side of the
through the pump
attack lines and
harming the
nozzle crew
Using the relief valve
Using the relief valve
 Centrifucal Pump Problems
• There are several conditions that can
reduce the life or destroy the pump;
– Running the pump with nothing flowing
or circulating
– Cavitating the pump
– Running the pump dry
Pump Running, but not
Discharging
• Water that is held in
closed lines and in the
pump will be warmed by
the friction of the
running pump
• If let go long enough, the
water can boil and
cavitate the pump
• Check to see if your
hoselines are warm or
hot
Pump Cavitation
• This occurs when
there is too much air
in the pump, or there
is more water being
discharged than is
coming into the pump
• Sounds like gravel
rolling around on the
inside of the pump
casing
 Running the Pump Without
Water
• Pumps need the
water for cooling,
lubrication, and to
swell the packing
• Without water in
the pump, the heat
from friction will
quickly destroy a
pump
Conclusion