Pumps

Lawrence J. Marchetti, P.E.

Course Outline

This 3-hour course utilizes US Department of Energy training materials (DOE-HDBK-1018/1-93, Mechanical Science, Vol. 1, Module 3) to describe the purpose, construction, and principals of operation for centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.

This course includes a True-False quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• State the purposes of the following centrifugal pump components:
  a. Volute
  b. Impeller
  c. Diffuser
  d. Packing
  e. Lantern Ring
  f. Wearing Ring
• Given a drawing of a centrifugal pump, identify the following:
  a. Pump casing
  b. Pump shaft
  c. Impeller
  d. Volute
  e. Stuffing Box
  f. Stuffing box gland
  g. Packing
  h. Lantern Ring
  i. Impeller wearing ring
  j. Pump casing wearing ring
• Define the following terms:
  a. Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA)
  b. Cavitation
  c. Gas binding
  d. Shutoff Head
  e. Pump Runout
• State the relationship between net positive suction head available (NPSHA) and net positive suction head required (NPSHR) necessary to avoid cavitation.
• List three indications that a centrifugal pump may be cavitating.
• List five changes that can be made in a pump or its surrounding system that can reduce cavitation.
• List three effects of cavitation.
• Describe the shape of the characteristic curve for a centrifugal pump.
• Describe how centrifugal pumps are protected from the conditions of dead heading and pump runout.
• State the difference between the flow characteristics of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.
• Given a simplified drawing of a positive displacement pump, Classify the pump as one of the following:
  a. Reciprocation piston pump
  b. Gear-type rotary pump
  c. Screw-type rotary pump
  d. Lobe-type rotary pump
  e. Moving vane pump
  f. Diaphragm pump
• Explain the importance of viscosity as it relates to the operation of a reciprocating positive displacement pump.
• Describe the characteristic curve for a positive displacement pump.
• Define the term slippage.
• State how positive displacement pumps are protected against over-pressurization.
  
  

Course Introduction

In almost any nuclear, chemical, or mechanical system, fluid must be transported from one place to another. Centrifugal and positive displacement type pumps are used to transfer fluid from one place to another. A basic understanding of the theory, characteristics, and mechanical components of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps are essential to understanding how they function and operate.

The course content is generic in nature. Specific information on a particular heat exchanger should be obtained directly from the manufacturer.

Course Content

The the course content is in a PDF file DOE-HDBK-1018/1-93, Mechanical Science, Vol. 1, Module 3. You are required to study Module-3.

Module-3 Pumps contains three (3) sections:

a. Centrifugal Pumps
b. Centrifugal Pump Operation
c. Positive Displacement Pumps

You need to open or download this document to study this course.

Course Summary

Pumps are utilized as a primary means of fluid transport between two or more locations and are employed in numerous applications including nuclear, chemical, and mechanical systems and processes. Engineers involved in the application, and selection of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps require a basic understanding of pump theory, operational characteristics, and components. The following course will provide the fundamental framework for this knowledge.


Related Reading

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

www.pumps.com
www.pumpuniversity.com
www.bellgossett.com


Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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