In most organizations, there aren’t enough pump repair personnel around to quickly take care of all the small and big pump problems and failures. As a consequence, industries may face a lot of pump downtime, even when a minor pump problem crops up. It is best to deal with industrial pump suppliers who provide pump service, maintenance and support, but it is also advisable to know a way of solving some of the most common pump problems.
There are all kinds of pumps – commercial fountains, Oase fountains, submersible pumps, Davey pumps, wastewater pumps, fire pumps, industrial pumps, etc. – that are used industrially. Different kinds of pumps face different problems, and it is best to get an expert to address the issue. But knowing a little about how pumps work is a good idea. Here, we will look at common questions asked by first-time pump operators.
# Why do I hear gravelly sound in the pump?
Many pump owners are perplexed when they can clearly hear the sound of stones or pebbles being pumped, but see no stones. Most likely, the sound and vibration is caused due to cavitation. Cavitation, to put it simply, is formation of air bubbles in the liquid that is being pumped. This causes the gravelly noise. It may also cause the pump to vibrate more and reduce its pumping capacity.
You can resolve this issue by changing the operation parameters – increasing or decreasing the flow. But it is best to call an expert as cavitation damages your pump over time. One of the common reasons for cavitation is wrong pump choice – choosing the right type of industrial pump for the task can help you avoid cavitation.
# Vacuum pump is working, but why is it not generating any Vacuum?
No matter what kind of pump you are using, if the pump seems to be working well, but it is not pumping or generation vacuum, the most common cause is that some part is broken or damaged. In case you cannot get vacuum from a pump, check the coupler connecting pump shaft with motor shaft. If it is not broken, ensure that the screws are not loose.
# Does using a more powerful, faster motor help improve the pumping speed?
Industrial pump suppliers get this question a lot. Most people assume that connecting the pump with a more powerful motor would improve the pump’s performance. A more powerful motor will not have much of an effect because the pumping capability is related to the size of impeller vanes and the diameter of the impeller.
If you use a faster motor with better rotational speed on a centrifugal pump, the pumping pressure and speed will increase. But, this may overload the shaft and bearing and render the pump unsafe for work.
# My pump won’t prime. What is the problem?
The most common problem with pump priming occurs when the pump has been left unused for a long time and needs to be started again. If the pump is not being fed properly, or when there is an issue with the kind of liquid you are using, you can face this problem.
One way to get around this problem is using a self-priming industrial pump – it may cost a little more, but is worth the cost for operations that face priming issues frequently. Unless the pump is full of water and all the air trapped inside is not removed, it may not prime. It is possible to prime a pump on your own, but it is best to let a skilled person handle it.
While there are some problems with industrial pumps that occur frequently and affect almost all kinds of pumps, you can avoid most of these issues simply by servicing the pump on a regular basis and avoiding any action that may harm the pump. For most businesses, it is best to buy quality pumps from a reputed industrial pump supplier – this will eliminate most of the issues, and you will have access to a skilled pump maintenance crew anytime you face problems.
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